Picking the right real estate agent is a lot like picking the right house. You need to make sure that the person you choose is both personable and knowledgeable. If you have been to an open house in the last couple months you know that real estate agents can be very pushy. They are a lot like used car salesmen in the fact that they do not make any money unless they make a sale. However, like used car salesmen you do not have to listen to everything that they tell you. Just because you went to an open house and met a real estate agent does not mean that you have to work with them. You have the option to call several offices and meet a variety of people until you find someone who you think feels right.
You will go through a lot with your real estate agent somake sure that you have picked the right one. The right real estate agent will have to be patient. It may make take looking at a hundred homes for you to find the right one, and they have to be OK with that. Your real estate agent should also be very knowledgeable. They should know things about whatever area that you are looking in. If they come to a showing and are totally unprepared and seem to not have a grasp on what you are looking for, then you should probably think about finding a new real estate agent.
When you first meet with a real estate agent they will ask you a series of questions about the type of property that you are looking for. They should try to meet those requirements as much as they can. If they are only showing your properties at the top of your budget or that you cannot afford, then you may have to fire them.