If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of starting the home buying process you are not alone.  Thankfully there are people to help you through every step.  But, how can you be sure to choose the right people so that your home buying experience is as stress free as possible?  Let’s start with knowing how to find the right real estate agent.

There are many real estate agents out there and some have many years of experience but that doesn’t mean they are all a good fit for you and your individual needs.  To help you make the right choice, don’t be afraid to ask questions.  You may want to include questions such as: What type of experience do you have with the kind of property I’m looking for? And, what makes you stand out from other real estate agents?  Don’t settle for a generic response but ask for specific examples. 

Finding out other details about the realtor will also help.  For example, if they are property owners themselves then they will know what is involved with the entire process and will be able to advise you based on their personal experiences.  Its also helpful to know if they work full or part time in real estate.  Someone full time may be a little more in tune to current market trends and new regulations etc.

While some realtors may have years of experience, it may not be in the type of property you are looking for.  For example, a first-time buyer is very often looking for a lower priced starter home so they wouldn’t want to choose someone who is more used to selling high priced luxury homes, or vice versa.   Choose someone who can meet your specific requirements as well as budget, this way you can go into the home buying process with confidence.