Outsourcing to a Realtor

[Russ Swan]

Hi,

I'm new to the United States market. Am starting out in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami areas and currently building a buyers list and looking for realtors.

In the meantime I have some questions:

1)  I understand that unlike in Australia, an agent can act as my agent for any listed or unlisted property?

2) If I were to select one of the properties on a listing provided to me by my agent, I don't have to pay the agent's fees? They get paid from the commission on sale of the property?

3) But what if I find a property that is not on any listing that my agent sends to me? I assume I can pass the property details onto that agent and have him/her start working on it for me?

4) In the case where I find a property, whether listed or not, that's not known by my agent that I will need to pay the agent's fees myself?

5) What would be the usual agent's fees in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami areas?

Thank you kindly for your responses.

Russ Swan