In most cases, a real estate agent represents the seller of a property and is paid a commission by the seller when the property is sold. The agent may also work with buyers and help them find a property, but they are generally not paid a commission by the buyer. Instead, the commission is typically built into the price of the property and is paid by the seller. In some cases, a real estate agent may ask for a deposit to hold a property while it is being shown to potential buyers. This is more common in the case of rental properties and is intended to ensure that the agent is compensated for their time and effort in showing the property.
Deposits are typically used to secure a rental property or to show good faith in the process of buying a home. The deposit should be returned to the person who made it if the transaction does not go through or if the terms of the agreement are not met. If you have a dispute with your real estate agent over the deposit, you may need to seek legal recourse to have it returned to you. It is always a good idea to carefully review any agreements or contracts before signing them and to keep good records of all financial transactions.