If you are in the market for a new home, you may also be in the market for a realtor. If you need a real estate agent, you’ll have no shortage of options. Depending on how big of a town or city you live, you may have a hundred plus realtors itching for your business.

Although utilizing the services of a real estate agent to purchase a home is not required, it is recommended. The key is to select the best realtor to fit your needs. The wrong person can ruin the home buying experience. Always perform a mini-interview in-person or over-the-phone with all candidates; do not pick the first “professional” you come across.

If you need a real estate agent, here are some ideal places to look:

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Realtor Sites

Do a search online with the phrase “realtors” along with your city and state and you will find the online websites of local professionals. They will provide a method of contact, either a phone number or email address. Use this information to make the initial contact. Review their bio page first. Do they have a years of experience helping homeowners buy a house or is this their first month on the job?

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Recommendations

Hands down, the best way to ensure you don’t get any so-called professional, but a great realtor, is to rely on recommendations from those that you know. Whether it be a friend, a coworker, a family member, or a Facebook friend who posted about buying a new house, inquire and gather more information. Which professional did they use? Would they recommend their services to you? What where the realtors main pluses and downsides?

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Property Search

While you want to utilize the services of a realtor to help you find, examine, and buy a home, there are benefits to doing a homes for sale search yourself. Find ideal properties for sale. Provide the basic information to the realtor you do later choose. This showcases your overall wants, needs, and budget; they know what you are looking for.

You want to utilize the services of a professional who goes above and beyond. Look for realtors who place extra efforts into selling a home. Extra effort to help sell often translates into extra effort when assisting homebuyers. In addition to MLS sites, check local classified sites. Did they take the time to list properties for sale via Craigslist? Not all realtors will take this extra step.

As a word of caution, do not utilize the services of a realtor who is handling the sale of any home you are interested in purchasing. As the listing agent, they have a vested interest in seeing this property sold. You want an unbiased realtor wh