You will want to hire a REALTOR® who has experience working with first-time buyers. You need someone who is specially trained on affordable loans and down payment assistance programs, and someone who has the knowledge because he or she has successfully helped many homebuyers to purchase their homes. When interviewing, ask how many continuing education and professional development classes she attends regularly.
One way to find out if your real estate agent is knowledgeable is to look at her business card and web site. You may find out that she is certified in a certain area of real estate, or has earned a designation. Two designations of particular importance to buyers are the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) and the accredited buyer’s representative (ABR). Agents with those designations have gone through special training to learn how to help a buyer like yourself.
Read more in our book, "Buy Your First Home", http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.
