This is the first part of a 3 part series on finding a Realtor or real estate professional. This article takes you through the steps to narrowing down your list through use of the Internet as your primary search tool. Part 2 of this series examines the questions you should be asking of potential Realtors with part 3 outlining the concept of negotiating with a Realtor before you hire.

A significant part of each and every home decision involves the selection of the real estate professionals you will select to help you. Perhaps the most pivotal of these decisions is your selection of a Realtor or real estate agent to market your existing home or assist you in the purchase of your new one.

Likely the first question you are going to ask is "What is the best way to find a Realtor?" Well, the answer to that question is very simple…anywhere! If all you are looking for is a Realtor you have to look no further than the closest bus bench or in your mailbox where you will find the name of one quite quickly. The proper question should really be "How do I hire a Realtor who will meet my buying and/or selling needs in the most effective way to maximize my returns?"

This question might seem overly complex but think about it for one minute and how it forces you to change how you think of the Realtor hiring process. The first question simply creates a situation where you have no control over the hiring process and, ultimately, over how your home needs are met. On the other hand, the second question gives you the control over the entire process by making you and the Realtor you hire more focused on the real task… meeting your needs!

Now that we've established the first step, where do you go now? How do you start finding Realtors for your area? There are plenty of places to look from local advertisements to referrals from friends to simply using the phone book. But, since you are already on the Internet it is likely that you will use the World Wide Web as your starting point. Here's the key, make yourself comfortable, eliminate all external distractions (lock the dog in the bathroom and have the kids babysat) and allocate at least 2 - 3 hours to this process.

The first place to look on the Internet is in the real estate directories such as ThinkRelo.com. Directories provide you an excellent opportunity to check out a wide range of Realtors in a very short period of time. Look for directories that are broken down on a geographic basis so that you can narrow your search as fast as possible. Remember, time is on your side but time is also money so doing a job efficiently and quickly is more preferable than doing it slowly because two things happen: you lose focus on the task at hand and you become more susceptible to "instant gratification" (picking any Realtor just to get through the process).

Once you find the Realtors in your area, you should then spend time reviewing their descriptions and information. A website description is a useful tool in the initial instance for identifying potential prospects. What is it that the Realtor is telling you…are they a condo expert? Are they solely a Buyer's Representative? If you need a home sales expert neither of these people will be of assistance to you so why waste your time and theirs? After you have gone through the various descriptions and narrowed your list, it is time to start visiting the Websites.

Here is another vital point… make sure that you have a pen and paper ready to write down the information you will want to glean from these Realtors. Do not rely on your bookmarks to carry you through this part of the exercise. Nothing can replace your initial impression of a Realtor so if it isn't written down how will you remember it 2 or 3 days later?

What is it you are looking for in a Realtor's website? Do graphics matter? What about fonts? The answer of course is ABSOLUTELY NOT except where they hinder your ability to get information from the Site! Unfortunately the Internet is not an equal playing field since not all people can afford or have access to the knowledge and skills to produce $10,000 websites. The important factor is not the form…it is the SUBSTANCE! Do not be turned off by bad graphics and goofy looking fonts, look beyond the style of the information and look to the content. Here are the questions you need to ask:

• Is there information here that can help me make a reasoned decision about this Realtor and their services?
• Does the Realtor provide me some of the tools and information I will ultimately need to buy and sell my home?
• Is the information up to date or is it dated?
• Can I contact this person easily?
• Do my property needs fit the profile of this Realtor?
• Do I honestly think that this Realtor can provide the level of service I need at this time?

Ron Thibeault is a retired real estate lawyer and contributing Editor to ThinkRelo.com. His extensive experience in real estate law gives him valuable insight into the needs of clients, realtors and all other players in real estate transactions.