Question about real estate agents

We're going to start looking at houses next month. How do you go about starting to look at houses? Anytime I call about houses that I see online or in the paper are already gone. We need someone that will contact us immediately when something in our price range is put on the market. Do you have to work with a buyers agent or a seller's agent? How do you go about getting an agent? Sorry for some silly questions but I'm pretty clueless about this stuff. I'm somewhat knowledgable about the mortgage aspect of homebuying but not the part that gets you started! Any recommendations would also be appreciated. Thanks for the help!

Re: Question about real estate agents

for long island, get the saterday sunday NEWSDAY, they will list the open houses... go to some open houses in the area you like, and you can tell them what you are looking for and they will be glad to show you houses...
or you can call up one of the real estate agents, tell them what you want and set up an appt..... definately check out newsday because youll see some for sale by owner open houses