Laurie,
My advice is to find a buyer's agent who is working in the local area where you are looking to buy. (If you have not signed up with anyone.) Check out her web site and profile to see if she has ABR (accredited buyer's agent) after her name and some experience in the area. Just call her and chat to see if it's a good fit for you. Good luck!
BonnieLarson.com

HI Laurie,

If you do not have a buyers agreement signed with your friend then you are free to use another agent to represent your best interests during the negotiations. Its best to use an agent other than the listing agent because once the listing agent represents both parties they are no longer allowed to give advice/suggestions on what to do. If you have not already written up an offer I would be happy to represent you. There is no fee for a buyers agent and it just so happens I am also a Certified Negotiation Specialist so you know you would be getting the best price on this home. I also would attend the inspection with you and if any problems are detected I will go back to the negotiation table to for you. Please let me know if you have any questions I'm happy to help = )

Kathy Diegel
Coldwell Banker
Kathy.Diegel@cbexchange.com
847-707-8907

I'm sorry to hear that you have found a not-so-attentive agent. You should always have a buyer's agent working with you to represent your best interests. Placing an offer directly through a listing agent is possible, but you have no one to guide you through the transactions and offer advice, as they are working for the seller. If you feel you are not getting the representations and assistance you should be from your current agent, then you do need to find a more thorough one. As you should have signed a buyer's agency agreement with the agent that did eventually put the offer in for you, you would need to deliver a written letter stating that you no longer wish to work with that agent/agency before moving on to another agent.

Laurie,
If you work with the listing agent, you should be given written notice of either dual agency or no agency regarding that property. This is the law! The listing agent is under contract to represent the seller not you!! You should have a written representation agreement with you friend which spells out their duties to you. If you don't have this you are free to find another agent who will rfepresent you properly.