If you’re looking to find the perfect property, it truly starts with finding the right Realtor for you. Here are a few tips for finding the agent who will represent you well in the homebuying process.

1. Talk with past clients: Much like finding the right builder, ask the agent for a list of past clients that you can chat with to get an honest critique of their service.
2. Make sure they’re licensed: While this may seem obvious, make sure to cover your bases and check with the local board of Realtors and/or licensing bureau to ensure the potential agent is licensed. Should a conflict arise, then both you and they are protected and a system is in place to solve it. If they are not licensed, neither party has much recourse to solve it.
3. Specialties: Does this agent have an area that they specialize in? Simply put, if the agent openly states they specialize in homes on the South side of town, you’re doing them (and yourself) a disservice by asking them to work outside of their area of expertise.
4. Get a referral from a friend: Similar to “Talk with past clients,” getting honest feedback on an agent’s performance and style of work can only help you make a good decision.
5. Don’t choose your listing agent based on their opinion of price but rather, on their commitment to service: If you’re selling your home, picking an agent can be tough. However, when it’s all “said and done,” at the end of the transaction, the Realtor doesn’t choose the price – the market does. Your home will only sell for what the market can bear.  Your agent is there to give you good counsel and represent you well during the whole process – through prompt communication, willingness to answer questions and offer advice and act in your best interest – even if that means communicating the hard truth about home values.
6. Commitment to Education: You may want your agent to simply “handle it” – take care of the details, get my house sold. However, they also should be committed to educating you as a client – buyer or seller. That means they shouldn’t shy away from answering any of your questions about the process. This helps you make the most informed decisions possible, rather than keeping the “best” knowledge for themselves.

With these in mind, you’ll be sure to find the right agent for your transaction.