"We're in the market for a new home, and a friend told us to use an exclusive buyer agent, but we don't know much about them. Who pays their fee? Can we negotiate the fee? Can I get an example of what it would cost to use an exclusive buyer agent?"

An exclusive buyer broker is a licensed real estate agent who works for a firm that never lists properties for sale. These firms and their agents have made a decision that leaves no doubt they are fully representing the best interests of the home buyer.

Traditional firms now designate agents as "buyer agents" on a transaction-by-transaction basis, meaning that the same agent can represent a buyer at one time and a seller at another time. It also means that the agent can represent both buyers and sellers at the same time.

So the agent must constantly switch from "seller mentality" to "buyer mentality," depending on what kind of transaction he's involved in at the moment. Only an exclusive buyer agent spends all of his time representing the interests of the home buyer.

Today's buyer can choose an exclusive buyer agent who works only for him; who can show him everything on the market, including homes for sale by owner; who will advise on strategy, negotiate in his interest, and who is legally responsible to him.

An exclusive buyer agent usually is paid the same way any real estate agent is paid-- through the commission fee. A commission is paid by the seller to the listing company, typically around 6 percent of the sale price. The listing company shares the commission with the buyer-brokerage firm on a 50-50 basis usually 3 percent each. It costs no more to use an exclusive buyer agent. In fact, it can cost less.

At the Buyer's Edge, we take the position that the buyer actually pays the commission. After all, he's the one who brings money to the table. So when we say we negotiate hard to save our clients money, we mean real savings, savings over and above the costs of purchase.

We also offer clients a choice of payment options, all covered by the commission fee, that could result in additional savings at settlement. We do not accept bonuses. Any bonus offered by a seller is accepted on behalf of the buyer and credited back to him at settlement.