How to choose a real estate agent
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Interviewing prospects
The biggest challenge is to find the agent that will work the hardest for you.

"The only way to find the agent that's right for you is to sit down with them and ask questions," Brenner says.

You should interview agents just as though you are hiring them for a job, because you are! And remember that you are doing the agent a favor by giving him your business.

If you're selling, ask prospective agents about their marketing plan for your specific home, emphasizes Mitchell Herman, a Florida Realtor and owner of Flat Rate Realty USA, which offers FSBO sellers the ability to list their home on the MLS through a flat-rate plan.

"As a professional salesman, I interviewed agents who wanted to list my home and I asked them how they would earn their fee. They offered an undefined marketing plan and an MLS listing. That was it," he told Bankrate. "If all a listing agent is offering is an MLS listing, he's not worth the commission."

Whether buying or selling, Purcell advocates interviewing three different agents from three different firms.

"Ask all of them questions -- the same questions so you won't be comparing apples to oranges. Ask them to explain the market place and the market conditions -- who is buying, what price range is moving and why. Then ask them to explain who they are and what makes them different from their competitors. Ask why you should choose them. Then ask about their firm and why their firm is different and why you should choose their firm."

What to ask

Here are six more questions, the experts agree, you should ask any agent, whether you are buying or selling: • Do you work full time? Generally, you're better off with a full-time agent who keeps up with the local market, financing considerations and laws. Part-time agents, on the other hand, can provide full-time attention to one client at a time. • How long have you been in the real estate business? "Real estate is a field where people come and go quite often," Brenner says. "Selling real estate isn't an easy thing to do, and many Realtors get discouraged and quit. You should choose a Realtor with several years of good experience." • How many homes have you listed during the past year? Or, how many have you sold in the past three months? • Have you ever had any complaints from your clients?" It's a tough, but necessary question. But double-check the answer with a local realty association. And state licensing office. • Can you give me the names and phone numbers of past clients for references? Once you get the list -- use it! • How often will I hear from you? How frequently does the agent normally communicate with his clients and how (phone, e-mail, fax)? If you don't like the answers you should discuss this at length until you're satisfied you're on the same wavelength.