Traditionally the seller pays the commission to the agents involved in a transaction. This is how it goes: The seller lists the property and agrees to pay a commission for the sale. That amount is agreed to between the listing agent and seller. The listing agent then offers a portion of that commission to the "selling" agent (or buyer's agent). Often the two agents split the comission 50/50, but that is up to the listing agent. The listing agent may have a 6% commission, but offer 2.5% to the selling agent. Or, the listing agent may offer more commision to the selling agent in hopes of attracting more agents to show the property.

Therefore, as a buyer, the agent you select to work with is compensated by the seller. So there's really no reason to enter a real estate transaction without an agent representing you.