Is it REALLY possible to find a good deal using an agent?

[William Pope]

As a first step I decided to contact a local agent. I basically told her what i was looking for and asked if she'd send me houses in my price-range.

I guess it can't hurt. I'm just always a little skeptical when handed something without me having to work for it. I just assumed good deals our found through hard work looking for them. Using an agent just seems too easy and straight-forward. What does anyone think about this? What sort of success, or non-success, has anybody had using agents?

Thanks, Bill