You should start looking for a qualified real estate agent the minute you decide you are ready to buy a home. Interview more than one agent and let every agent know you are in the interview process. A good agent will be able to provide valuable service - from providing recent market information to making sure your paper work is in order and on time.

• If you interview several agents before you choose, tell all of them you are doing so.
• Good agents give good service, from providing recent sales data to pushing your transaction through on time.
• Prescreen listings on line with Property Finder or drive by batches of listed homes to save time.

Find the Right Agent for You
Look for an effective partner to give you information and support.

Find an Agent

• Get referrals from friends and colleagues (including your lawyer or financial advisor).
• Interview agents at Sunday open houses in areas where you want to live. The "Choose an Agent" checklist suggests questions to ask.
• Check For Sale signs in neighborhoods where you want to live to get names of local agents.

Choose an Agent
Look for an agent who:

• Makes you feel comfortable and confident, not anxious or pressured.
• Specializes in areas where you want to live.
• Returns calls promptly and answers questions readily.
• Informs you of new listings before they officially go up for sale.

Work with an Agent

• Set working guidelines (regular times to view houses or when to call, for example).
• Make your priorities clear so neither of you waste time on listings that don't fit your criteria.
• Keep all of your paperwork in one place, including your priority list, listing notes and loan documents, for easy retrieval when you need them.