Find the Right Home Buyer's Agent

If you're shopping for a new home, there are several things you can do to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Start by figuring out what you can afford to buy (our calculator will help). Then get preapproved for a loan. And consider enlisting the help of a buyer's agent. The May 2010 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance has tips on finding the right one:

Think of a buyer's agent as a matchmaker who will introduce you to prospects you might otherwise have missed, help find the best home for you, and protect your interests.

Look for agents who have earned the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) credential (visit www.rebac.net) or who belong to the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org), whose companies don't take listings from sellers. Interview agents for a good fit. The best ones will interview you, too, to scope out what you really want and put together a package of homes.

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An agent may ask you to sign a buyer's broker agreement, which outlines your rights and responsibilities to each other. Although agents may ask for a term of 90 days, you can negotiate a shorter one. Don't sign if agents won't agree upfront that they will end the relationship if it isn't working.

To learn more about what steps you should take before and during your home search, see Shop Smart.