There are two people you'll want on your team when you buy a home - a real estate agent and a loan officer. While you'll also work with a title company, an escrow company, an inspector, and an appraiser, these services are usually chosen (or at least recommended) by someone other than yourself.

Here's how you choose a real estate agent and a loan officer:

The best choice for a Realtor is the agent who is consistently meeting your objectives. If the agent is listening to you, she will show you only the types of properties you want to see. A good agent will understand your objectives, show respect for you, and will go out of her way to get you what you want. You won't hear any excuses, there won't be time delays or cancelled appointments, and she will follow-through on every detail and every conversation. Your agent should consistently meet your objectives, just like a good waiter will bring you exactly what you've ordered (without excuses, without time delays, and will follow-through on every detail).

Look for those same qualities in a loan officer.

Some people think they should work with the listing agent on a particular property because there will be more room for negotiation since that agent knows the seller. Wrong! That's like asking the other side's attorney to represent you!

The listing agent works for the seller, and her job is to represent the seller. The listing agent will not tell you their clients' secrets, whether or not they are financially distressed enough to lower the asking price, what their motivation is … and the listing agent will not be able to negotiate for you as well as a buyer's agent will.

Always choose a buyer's agent to represent you.

Avoid using more than one real estate agent at a time. Would you like someone to bring you work to do, only to find out another co-worker has been given the very same job? Respect the agent's time and efforts. You'll know within one week whether or not you want to continue working with her. Be honest, and move on if it isn't working out.

Once you find an agent you like, she will be able to refer you to other team members such as a loan officer, title company, an escrow company, an inspector, and an appraiser. These referrals are usually very reliable - she knows who been good and who's been naughty in the industry!

When you're ready to start househunting, visit www.OpenHouseCafe.info