you might save some money using the listing agent as your agent, but definitely not half the total commission, whether it be 2.5% or 3%. by becoming a dual agent, agents take on twice the risk. it wouldn't be sensible to take on twice the risk for the same pay. you might have a better chance at securing the property, save a few thousand off the purchase price, or have some of your non-recurring closing costs paid if you go through the listing agent, but it's not a guarantee. find an agent that you trust or has a good reputation. don't worry about whether they're a buyer's agent or listing agent. the only true buyer's agents are the ones that work for listing agents. a "buyer's agent" who works for themselves will never turn down listing a property because in real estate, that's where the money is at. and if you list properties, you're not really a buyer's agent. not sure where you live, but if you're looking for a good agent, PM me and I can refer you to one.
being a first time homebuyer, also make sure you go through a trustworthy lender. make sure to read the fine print. shop around and see who will give you the best rates and closing costs. when shopping for a loan, make sure to do all your shopping within a 2 week period. hard inquiries on your credit after the 2 week period will hurt your fico score. most banks won't lock your loan until you've entered into escrow on a property. i know one lender who will lock in the rate before you find a home, but those rates are higher. let me know if you have any questions.