Not all real estate agents are the same

First understand the difference between "buyer's agents," who represent the best interest of the buyer, and "sellers" agents, also called "listing agents", who represent the seller's best interest. 

Understanding, the difference between these two agency types can plan a vital role in your chose of a real estate professional as well as the specific services, skills and capabilities offered by that individual.

How do you decide which is best for you? 

Virginia law defines: "Agency" in the real estate context as a "relationship in which a real estate licensee acts for or represents a person by such person's express authority in a real estate transaction.  "If you enter into a real estate transaction with a real estate firm but do not enter into an agency or brokerage relationship with the firm, Virginia law says that you are the firm's customer. Firms will generally give higher levels of service to their clients than to their customers.
Most agency relationships in Virginia fall into these categories of agency.