This will be one of the most important decisions you make in the house buying process. Its almost as important as selecting the right house. The right realtor can make buying a house seem simple. The wrong realtor...well, take my word, and find the right realtor.

Youll be making LOTS of contacts and spending lots of time with your realtors, so find someone who is right for you.

What makes a good realtor?

• Knowledgeable...about real estate, about the area you want to look in, and about your specific needs.
• Accessible...responds to your phone calls or emails, is willing to work around your schedule.
• Ready to help YOU first, make the sale second...sure, realtors make their living on commissions from the sale of houses, but if they help you get what YOU want, they will then get what THEY want.

On the other hand, a poor realtor will bring you to houses that DONT fit the criteria on your list. WONT work around your schedule. WONT return your phone calls promptly. And WONT put your best interests at the very top of the list!

So dont think that ALL realtors are alike. Unfortunately, we learned the hard way.

If it takes awhile to find your perfect house, youll spend a lot of time with your realtor, and you want someone who is willing to work with you until you are comfortably moved in to your new house!

Where can you find a good realtor?

The first step is to ask people you know who have bought or sold a house recently about the realtors they used. You can also look in your local newspaper, phonebook, or on the Internet.

Make sure to ask lots of questions before hiring any realtor to represent you. There are a lot of details that go into buying a house. Once you get started, remembering all of those details will get harder and harder. A good realtor will be organized, and help you remember what you cant remember when the house buying process gets complicated.

Then, ask for references of former customers if you have the time, contact a few of them to find out first-hand about the realtors you are considering before you enter into an agreement.

There is no exact science to hiring a good realtor. But its not a decision to take lightly.

And, if you end up making the wrong choice, feel free to walk away and find another realtor its your choice!