The first thing to remember when finding a real estate agent is that they are all salespeople. You are a business to them and they want to sell to make a profit. Therefore, you should never let on that you need to sell your house ASAP, or you are in a hurry to buy because this will give them reasons to rip you off. How quickly you need to sell or buy is none of there business and to get the best deal you will want them to assume you are in no hurry at all. The first thing that an agent will want to know is how much you are willing to spend. Never tell them, because they usually do not have your interest at heart as most are based on commission. Whatever you tell your agent, they will go and tell the seller, meaning that if you say you will pay as high as $500,000 they are going to ask for that amount. It's ok to tell them what you would like to pay for a certain house, but never tell them your maximum amount. If the agent tries to bargain you up, take your money elsewhere. Also, never make the mistake of assuming that your agent will try and bargain the seller down. They are trying to make a profit and do not have you best interest in mind.

If you are buying a house, you do not necessarily need a real estate agent unless you are looking to save time. Since the real estate agent will look for houses matching your criteria you can save yourself a lot of hassle. By searching for property on your own however, you might be able to find a cheaper purchase. You will need a property attorney however to settle all of the closing matters. However, if you are selling a house you probably will want a real estate agent. They can help you look for people wanting to buy and try to help you get the highest price for your property.