The decision to buy or sell a home is one of the most important financial decisions most people make, yet many give little thought to finding the real estate agent best suited to their needs.

Agents are often chosen solely on the recommendation of a friend or an ad in the newspaper. But choosing the right agent can save you time, effort and aggravation in finding the perfect home at the price you can afford or selling your home quickly for top dollar.

The most important thing when either buying or selling a home is to select the right real estate agent, however, people usually go about it backwards. They read a newspaper or get one of the home magazines in the supermarkets, and they call about a home they see advertised. They should first select the real estate agent – one who will understand what they need and can navigate the system for them. 

Advertising is designed to make the brokers’ and agents’ phones ring. Typically no one buys the house they called for, but from that point on, they’re joined at the hip with a real estate agent they don’t know anything about –whether they are good, bad or indifferent or new to the business. You need to find an agent before you find a house.

If you’re selling, your property may be the most valuable thing you own and it is of utmost importance to find an agent you can trust. A real estate agent has a high fiduciary duty – a duty of trust and confidence. It is the most important duty of any sales person or broker in real estate. An agent must disclose all the material facts of any transaction –everything they know about the property, good or bad.

Finding a broker whom you’re comfortable with may take a little time. Ask friends, co-workers, and neighbors who have sold or purchased houses in recent months.

Interview several real estate brokers/agents to learn about their experience, track record, style, and market knowledge. Expect a broker to be professional, to return phone calls, to be organized and to communicate clearly.