Buyer's agents are fully licensed real estate agents, but they choose to focus on the buying half of a real estate transaction.  Todd is not only an agent, he's a REALTOR®.

Unbiased
In the past, people generally relied on a real estate agent to handle both sides of an exchange, the buying and the selling.  But there is an inherent conflict of interest built into this arrangement.  Many agents push their own listings on their buyers, knowing that they will earn 3% from each party.

A buyer’s agent doesn’t represent sellers, and therefore, has no reason to urge his clients toward a particular house.  His goal is simply to find the best house at the best price for his buyers.

Free
Buyer’s agents are paid by the sellers, no matter if it’s a resale or a new home builder.  The buyers don’t pay a cent.

Negotiating Power
Buyer’s agents have the power to negotiate with home builders.  Many people falsely assume that if an agent isn’t involved, they’ll get a better deal from the home builder because they won’t have to pay a commission.  What they do not realize is that builders want buyer’s agent involved because they have the opportunity to bring more buyers.  It’s essentially buying in bulk.  New home builders will bend over backwards to keep a good agent (and his clients) happy in the hopes that he’ll bring future clients their way.

More about Buyer's Agents:

Is 'Your' Agent Really Working for You?
Bankrate.com

"Recently, more home buyers have been asking, "Who represents whom?" As a result, many are opting to be represented by a buyer's agent to take them through the process, from house hunting to closing. The greatest thing about this is it doesn't cost the buyer anything and often saves them thousands."

Who's Working for You?
CNNMoney.com

"With so many online tools for finding property, why would you want a buyer's agent?

There are a number of advantages.

- In competitive real estate markets, you may need an agent to give you a heads up on property as soon as it comes on the market.

- If you are relocating to a new area or live in a large metro, a buyer's agent will help you understand what a house is really worth, give you the inside scoop on schools and point out other factors that could affect property values.

- In any market, a buyer's agent can act as a buffer during the negotiating process and make sure you've covered all of your bases before closing."