It should not be a conflict of interest unless it was the agents listing and he was trying to represent you also as the buyer. However you should know in Texas that is perfectly legal to represent both sides of a sale. Personally I won't do it for ethical reasons, but it is allowed in Texas. Please note that in Texas the Seller pays the fee for both the listing agent and the Buyers Agent. You the Buyer should never pay a fee for representation! If you have more questions or need anything else, please feel free to contact me. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Betina Foreman, Realtor

Star, my colleagues who have answered previously have made very good points. To directly answer your question, many buyer's agents will accept the fee offered by the listing agent (charging you nothing). If you use a buyer's agent and find a listing offered by the same office, conflict of interest is avoided by intermediary. This means the broker assigns one agent to each side and acts as an intermediary. Ethically speaking, each agent is bound to fiduciary duties for their respective parties, but it is not quite as beneficial as an unaffiliated agent.

There is typically no downside to using a buyer's agent, because you will likely not pay for the service and they are bound to represent your best interests at all times. I highly recommend using one. Let me know if I can help you in your home search! I represent buyers.

Star, you can expect to see, in the price of the house, the commission for both the selling agent, and the listing agent- and your buyers agent will be compensated from the buying side- again, the amount of which is in the price of the house (you are, in fact, sharing the tab).
If your buyers agent has a property that is listed by their own broker, and they've signed with you under buyer agency (and, accumulated your info in the process), an ethical agent will encourage you, on those properties, to get an outside agent that does NOT work for the listing broker- "undoing" buyer agency is a bad plan for you, because you'll have already shared pertinent info. The broker, and all of the agents in the office, work for the seller- the result of which is no buyer agency possible for you. No one advocating on your behalf.
Fees vary- some companies offer rebates; some companies offer a flat fee, and some operate within the constraints of what the seller is offering to pay to a buyers agent. Interview several, and work with the one that fits. Good luck!

You can pay a bonus! Those are great! Other than that, use a an agent. Why wouldn't you? They are not out to get you. As for intermediary brokers, remember that everyone is responsible, and we don't really want you to sue us, so generally, especially in Austin, folks are on your side. Intermediary actually has its benefits, such as expedited negotiations. Good luck & Happy Hunting.

The best thing you can do is to retain a great buyer's agent! The beauty of it is that you don't pay us! We do get paid, but our commission comes from the seller, a pre-arranged amount that is already agreed upon by the seller and the selling agent. We represent only you in the transaction. You have the benefit of our years of negotiating skills, and expertise in Real Estate and it costs you nothing.
When showing a listing from my home office there is no conflict unless I sell that listing. That is called "Dual Agency" and it is legal to do so. I must of course disclose dual agency,

Star,

Each state has its own rules but if you are looking for a "buyers agent" then I assume you are looking for someone that only represents you as the buyer and has no obligation to the seller. My company, Prudential Network Realty in Florida, offers Exclusive Buyers Representation. When a buyer signs this type of agreement with me I owe them complete confidentiality and the obligation to convey anything I learn from the other side to them so they can make the best informed decision. Essentially I keep everything they tell me to myself and share everything I learn from the other side with them.

The only time that I am obligated to modify this relationship is if I show them a listing from another Prudential Network Realty agent. If this occurs I have to operate in what is called a Transaction agent. Under this type of relationship I don't truly represent either side, but am working for the good of the "transaction". The difference is that I have limited confidentiality; I keep their secrets to myself, but also keep the information from the other side secret from them. This is required because the company represents both sides of the transaction.

As for the second half of your question, typically the fee is paid by the seller and is detailed in the listing agreement between the seller and the seller's agent. You, as the buyer, don't typically have to pay the fee (since I don't sell real estate in all 50 states I can not say this is the case everywhere).

Good luck in finding a home!

Scott Sullivan
Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
Fleming Island, FL
C: (904) 327-5676
O: (904) 269-1716
Scott.Sullivan@PrudentialNetworkRealty.com

Ditto Josh's point about 'saving' ........
As a lender, I have witnessed many closings. And a buyer's agent is sometimes very much needed.

Star,

Looks like Carol cleared it up for you. The conception that buyer's have to "pay" their Realtor fees are extremely common and that's why it takes a GREAT Realtor to ensure they explain the difference. I will also add that some buyers also have the FALSE conception that if they do not use a Realtor and do it themselves; then they can use that commission that would have been paid to their Realtor for their own good.... WRONG! I know I may be starting to go a little off track here, but the bottom-line is this.... if it's already built into the price of the home; you get to use that Realtor's gas, expertise, time, scheduling, negotiating skills and all the other valuable services we offer for FREE... why the heck wouldn't you use one? Just my lowly two cents! :) Best of luck on your new home purchase!

Carol's answer pretty much sums it up. Typically the seller pays the "buyers agent" and you the buyer will pay nothing for your representation. The "Information about Brokerage Services" form explains everything regarding the agent's duties (types of agency). I could go on, but why repeat what Carol has to say. She hit the nail on the head!

Hi Star:

If you ask a question regarding Texas real estate you should get an answer from a Texas agent. Upon first contact with an agent here they should give you a form called "Information About Brokerage Services." It explains the different types of agency that are practiced here in Texas. There are three different ways an agent can offer representation. The broker or agent can represent the seller, the buyer or act as an intermediary. If you want to hire a buyer's agent you should enter into a written agreement to have them represent you. The agreed compensation is entered on to the buyer agency agreement. Typically what happens is that the seller and buyer agree that the seller will pay the buyer's agent fee. This offer of compensation would be disclosed to your agent prior to them showing you the house. You may also want to consider working with an Accredited Buyer's Representative which is a realtor who has extra training in representing buyers.

Carol Ann Pease, ABR, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, GRI

Star,

The Buyer's agent has their commission paid by the seller. You shouldn't be paying for any of their services.

As far as a conflict with the broker, there shouldn't be one. As long as the home is represented by a different Realtor, there is no conflict.