Due to the real estate boom we've had the past number of years, Real Estate agents are plentiful. Many are experienced and knowledgeable, and there are those who have made very few transactions, are not familiar with the finer points and may not know how to be a problem solver and a negotiator.

Here are just a few suggestions of a few things you may want to know about your agent before contracting with them. The number of years on the job is only one factor...

The listing agent, (the sellers agent) is the one placing your property information on the MLS which is the nation wide database where all listings listed with a licensed Realtor will be shown. Some listing agents will do that, and nothing more, waiting for an agent to call with a prospective buyer. It is usually the real estate agent who has a client interested in a purchase, or rental, who will be doing most of the work, spending sometimes many weekends showing properties listed by other agents.

In some cases you are paying a substantial amount of money to your listing agent to just list your property information where other agents and the public can view your listing when you can get your property listed for a flat fee instead of a commission.

Knowing how may homes the agent has sold in the past year, how many of those transactions were as a sellers agent? How many of those homes sold for the asking price? In other words, will your agent work to get your asking price or will they quickly advice you to reduce your price for a quick sale? (And a quick commission?)

Not everyone is good at negotiating or asking for things. In a transaction involving a large sum of money such as your house, would you not have an agent that have the skill and know how to negotiate the best deal for you? You want an agent that has excellent communication skills, who will not be afraid to ask for the terms and or concessions you want.

Besides listing your property on the MLS, what are other marketing plans? Advertisements? Open houses? What?

The availability of your agent is yet another important consideration. Will he/she be available during evenings and weekends? How long before they respond to a call from you or a potential buyer? When negotiations are underway and there are time limits in the contract, having an unresponsive agent can sink your deal.

The personality of your agent is important as well. Is he/she upbeat and easy to talk with? Is she enthusiastic and optimistic? Is she interested in putting in some effort to get this deal completed? Or is she pessimistic, cautious and unmotivated

An agent should be chosen with care. All contracts have a time limit, and you could be forced to stay with an agent for months. Make sure it is an agent you like, trust and find competent.