If you’re in the market for a soulmate, there are many places to begin looking. We hear numerous TV and radio ads that feature glowing testimonials of successful matchups. You’ve seen them: eHarmony, Chemistry, Match.com, etc. Personally, I’m looking forward to all of the follow-up stories 5 to 10 years from now. You know, those “happily ever after” scenarios. Yeah, right!

What if you’re reasonably satisfied with your present soulmate and what you’re looking for is the “right” real estate agent? Is there somewhere out there where buyers and sellers can peruse “profiles” of agents and find the ideal match? Yes, there is! But we’ll get to that momentarily.

Just as when you’re looking for that right life partner, you’ve got to have some criteria established in your mind before you begin your search for an agent. What are your real estate needs? Are you looking to buy, sell or both? Are you moving across town or across the country? What expectations do you have when it comes to the services you want an agent to provide?

If you’re selling your home, you may wish to secure a seller’s agent. This would mean he/she would only represent you and your best interests. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to buy a home, then a buyer’s agent may be exactly what you need. A buyer’s agent does not represent the interest of the seller. Each of these distinctions is important and should be given careful consideration during your search.

As a seller, you’ll want to know what marketing strategies the agent will use to sell your home. Simply adding your house to the Multiple Listing Service will not be enough. You’re going to want Internet exposure, as well as advertising in classified ads of the local newspapers and other real estate print.

Knowing the years of experience of an agent is also helpful. As a potential buyer, you want an agent who is up to speed on the various listings in the area. That means having a working knowledge of listed home prices, as well as information on recently sold homes. You also want a professional who is going to give you a fair assessment as to the value of a property and not sugarcoat any problems they may see during a walk-through.

Continuing education and special designations are another aspect of an agent’s profile that adds to their expertise. If an agent has focused on working with commercial properties, he/she is probably not the best choice to handle your house transaction. Look carefully at their credentials and how they may best serve you.

Check to see if an agent works on a full-time basis. It’s important they be available and accessible when your schedule allows. Evenings and weekends may be all the time you have to view properties. Make sure they’re willing to work with your limitations.

Although not related to real estate, you may wish to find an agent whose outside interests are in line with yours. These could be the topics you chat about between visits to various properties. Seeking an agent whose personality is compatible with yours is another plus. Building a rapport helps to solidify your working relationship and allows for the ebb and flow of ideas and questions.

So, what source can give you the information you’re seeking? I recommend Connect2Agent. This website features agents from across the United States and Canada. There is easy access to each agent’s professional profile, as well as their personal interests and activities. Connect2Agent is available with no personal or financial obligation. It serves as a free research tool you can use to make an intelligent decision about selecting a qualified real estate agent.

OK, it’s shameless advertising on my part, but who can blame me? It’s the best and fastest-growing real estate agent referral marketplace you’ll find online. So let your search begin!

Re-posted from 12/12/08 by Sharon Walker

Tags: buying a home, finding a real estate agent, selling a home

This entry was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under Buyer and Seller Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.