Even beyond the agency relationship distinction, find out how well agents are trained in something called 'due diligence'.

What will, beyond identifying and showing the home to you, are they going to provide?  If they do not plan to do a property value study, help you get a thorough home inspection, refer you to qualified mortgage professionals and real estate attorneys, and advise you about the presence of any environmental hazards in the area, they are not performing 'due diligence'. You want them to approach your home purchase as if it was for themselves or their dearly beloved mother.

Assuming you have done your 'due diligence', let's look at some of the ways you can get any agent, even a topnotch agent, to work harder for you.