Newbie Question re: Agent/Broker

[Stefanie Pittman]

Greetings,

Could someone help me with the following:

I'm taking a home study short sale course and I have never bought a home before so I don't know anything about the buying process. I started a little backwards. Anyhow, I was doing some research online and I just wanted to make sure I read this correctly. It seems like there is no difference between a real estate agent, sales agent, and a listing agent? Is this correct?

Next, If you’re working with an agent, would like to sell your home, and has found a buyer purchase the house, where does the closing process take place. Could you go to your own preferred title company or do you have to use the office where the agent is located? If you have to use the office where the agent is located; is there a 6% commission instead of 3% (split 3% to broker & 3% to agent)?

Last, what does the broker do the reason why he/she has to share their commission with them? Do they work together in the buying and selling process of homes?

Thanks,

Stefanie