Weather you need to buy or sell a house or property, choosing a realtor is you first and most important step. This can make a big difference in how smoothly your transaction goes and maybe even a difference in the price.
If you are a buyer and are interested in a specific house, you can go with the realtor that is handling that sale on the buyer side. While this takes the decision of choosing a Realtor to represent you out of your hands it may not always be the best way to go. Before you make any purchase you should check out the realtor and know who you are dealing with as well as understand they are also representing the buyer and it is hard to represent both sides at times.
If you are selling a house it is important to know that your realtor has a good reputation, is trust worthy, and knows what they are doing. You may want to check and see what the average commission is for your area and know that having a good realtor is well worth paying a few dollars more. They are more likely to be able to sell your property quickly and with less fuss than some of their competitors.
A lot of realtors specialize in the buyer market. This means they can show you houses in your price range that meet your requirements. They can also advise you on who may be the best person to use in for a mortgage loan, which can also help you get the best mortgage rates available in your area. Buyer agents are more likely to know the value of the properties in the areas you are interested in buying and help get you the best deal possible.
No matter your reasons for looking for a realtor you will want to choose one that is right for you. You can best do this by asking friends and family who have recently used a realtor to buy or sell property or find several on the internet that you can talk to and interview. Most reputable realtors will have an online presence with a lot of good information so you can do a lot of research online before ever making the call.