Remember when you are selecting a real estate agent that they do not work for you. They may be very pleasant to you and take you around to see all types of houses, but both the buyer real estate as well as the agent that represents the seller both work for the seller.
The reason for this is that the seller pays the commission of the real estate agents. You do not pay. Not directly, anyway. Houses sold by owner generally go cheaper because there is no commission charged by a broker. If you can manage to buy a house that is sold by owner, you can generally get a better deal.
When choosing a real estate agent, remember that they are working for you and you are the client. This does not mean that you get to treat them like they are sub-humans or call them on Christmas morning because you want to see a house right away. It just means that you can hire and fire them if you feel, at any time, that they are not doing their best to represent you. The real estate agent that represents the buyer is in a quandary. He or she wants the buyer to pay as much money for the house as possible, but he is obligated to present lower offers to the seller.
In many cases, you should ask to be there when your agent represents your offer. This can be awkward for the seller and the attorneys, but at least it clears up an misconception the seller may have about your intentions with their property. And you can make sure that your agent does not try to tell them that you will probably go higher.
Never let your agent know what you are thinking. If you like a home and feel that it is worth full price, do not disclose this information to your agent. Make a low offer. You can always come up, but not down.
Find an agent that will work within your schedule and one with whom you can get along. Some people will end up rubbing you the wrong way.
If you are selling your home and choosing an agent, find one who will offer a decent commission rate and who will offer to take a discount in rate if he or she sells the house themselves. There are also ways that you can allow the agent to take a partial cut if you sell the house yourself. This can be beneficial to both the agent and yourself as he or she can get you the advertising and you can do the selling. If you are good at closing a deal, you may even do better than the real estate agent. And you have the advantage of knowing your own home.
Look for someone who will be flexible with commission, accessible to take your phone calls and someone with whom you can get along. Chances are that you will work with the agent for a long period of time. You may as well like them.