| The number one method for finding a quality real | | | | and helping out their buddy. This is not guaranteed |
| estate agent is to ask your friends, family and | | | | to happen, but in my experience it is more likely |
| co-workers for a recommendation. Then you will | | | | to happen. However, with that being said, visiting |
| want to go online to the National Association of | | | | open houses is a good opportunity to find out |
| Exclusive Buyers Agents, to cross-reference the | | | | about the house and to get a feel for selling |
| prospective agents name. You want to see if | | | | prices of similar houses in the neighborhood. |
| they specialize as buyers agents only. You will | | | | Using the small town real estate agent may seem |
| learn why that is so important a little later on, but | | | | a great way to promote community spirit, but be |
| for the next five minutes just trust me. | | | | prepared to have to look for your home on a |
| The second way to find an agent is to look online. | | | | limited time schedule which sometimes does not |
| This is an easy way to do it. You can instantly | | | | include weekends. More often than not the small |
| find out which agents are really moving and | | | | real estate firm closes at 5 pm on the dot and |
| shaking when it comes to having houses for sale. | | | | they do not work on the weekend. If the only |
| However, keep in mind that these agents | | | | day you can look at a house is on Sunday at 2:45 |
| represent the sellers, so you will want to type | | | | pm, you better make sure the appointment is in |
| search terms like shoreline condo buyers agent to | | | | place prior to 5 pm Friday night. |
| get more specific search results when looking | | | | Larger company real estate offices are open on |
| online at popular websites like Google or Yahoo. | | | | the weekends and available to fit your schedule, |
| It is also worth your time to visit or However, | | | | not theirs. Also, small agencies may not have the |
| one of the most underrated strategies I have | | | | newest equipment available to them to use. |
| seen is to actually enter the search term | | | | Additionally, they are not always in the loop with |
| exclusive buyer brokerage and no listings for | | | | the escrow and mortgage companies like larger |
| whatever area you want to live in and you will | | | | firms. Forms and procedures are always changing |
| find agents who specialize in working with buyers | | | | and smaller companies are not always trained on |
| just like you. | | | | them. I am not saying that all small mom and pop |
| Now, I will cover the worst way to find a good | | | | real estate agencies are this way, especially since |
| real estate agent. Attending open houses in hopes | | | | more businesses have computers and the |
| of finding an agent is like rolling the dice. The | | | | Internet to help keep them up to date. I am |
| agent who is doing the open house may or may | | | | saying that you should be aware that sometimes |
| not be the listing agent, BUT they absolutely | | | | the smaller real estate offices fall behind the |
| know the listing agent and is more likely to be | | | | times. |
| torn between negotiating the best price for you | | | | |