REALTORS are very different in personality and you should interview a REALTOR before making a decision to work with him or her.  Once you have found a REALTOR you want to work with, consider engaging him as a Buyer Agent.  Under Virginia law, a Buyer's Agent has specific duties to his client.  All REALTORS are obligated to treat all parties in the transaction honestly, but a Buyer Agent is free to advise you more specifically in some areas.

Whether buying or selling your home, make sure your REALTOR discusses agency representation.  In Virginia, it's the law.