Buyer's Agent....confusion

[Dave Kennedy]

I'm wondering if someone can clear this up for me. I've heard people tell me you should use a buyers agent because it's "free" they take a split from the total commisions paid by the seller. I've heard people tell me don't get sucked into paying for a buyers agent...don't sign an agreement with them.

Well...what is it...??? As a buyer looking for a house/condo am I paying out of pocket for the Buyers agent or do they just split it with the sellers agent?

Are there different kinds?

I personally just want to hunt for the properties myself and contact each selling agent. I'm learning more this way than having a buyers agent just spoon feed me the deals and cart me around.

The only thing I want an agent for is to ensure the contract is drawn up properly and the offer letter contains all the contingencies to cover my ***.

Essentially they are doing nothing but supplying me with the forms and conducting the negotiatons on counter offers. I'm not gonna pay a couple grand for a few hours of their work. If it comes out of the sellers agent commisions then I have no problem.

Please help clarify.....I didn't want to sign an exculsive agreement one buyers agent wanted me to sign.

Thanks!