If you are a buyer, selecting a Realtor to work with is something that should not be left to chance. The Realtor you work with will be helping you to acquire perhaps the biggest asset you will ever own, so your choice should not be taken lightly. What follows are some things that you might want to consider when making your choice.

First, make sure that your Realtor is really a "REALTOR®".  Only real estate agents who are members of the local board of Realtors and abide by the Realtor Code of Ethics are allowed to use the designation "Realtor".

Your Realtor should be able to help you determine how much of a home you can afford to purchase. This determination should be made in conjunction with the information you receive from your lender regarding loan qualification. It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of looking at homes without realizing that what you are seeing may be out of your price range. Being realistic in your expectations is very important. Once you have determined how much of a home you can buy, your Realtor will be able to focus on homes in the MLS database that meet your individual needs and financial qualifications.

Your Realtor should be knowledgeable about the community in which you are looking to buy. Questions to ask your Realtor might include items about: utility costs, real property tax rates, items affecting a particular home (is it located in a Flood Zone or High Fire Risk area), zoning issues, school districts, etc.

While most likely not an expert in finance, most Realtors should be able to recommend lenders who are knowledgeable, active in the area, and have competitively priced products. Most Realtors will generally provide you with the names of several lenders to work with, so you can find the one that provides you with the best product.

Make sure you are comfortable working with the Realtor you select. Your Realtor will be communicating with you on a regular basis, and if you are not comfortable working with him or her, it is likely to be a long and frustrating escrow experience. If possible, ask your potential Realtor to provide you with a list of buyers he or she has worked with. Interview several of these buyers to see what kind of a buying experience they had.

Finally, your Realtor should be completely professional when it comes to assisting you in the actual home buying experience. From negotiating the contract to helping you through the escrow period, your Realtor should be there every step of the way to explain all of the documentation and answer any questions you have. The more educated you are as a buyer, the better your Realtor has done his or her job.

The information presented here is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as tax, legal, or investment advice. Individual cases are all different, so this information should be used only in conjunction with the appropriate professional advice.