That’s why most people look for a real estate agent to ensure their experience will not only be successful–but simple as well.

But the traditional route of finding a real estate agent isn’t always the best.

Just because you’re relative or friend is an agent doesn’t mean you should choose them. In fact, it’s a really good idea to interview all agents because, if you think about it, you’re about to buy an apartment–and that’s no small potatoes.

In the end, you want to make sure the person you are hiring is not only smart about the market, but trustworthy.

How do you do that? Print out the following questions, sit down with a potential agent and spend the better part of an afternoon interviewing him or her. Repeat the process until you find one that satisfies your needs.

1. How long has this particular agent been at his job? If not for very long, can he provide recommendations from past employers?
2. How well does he know the market you are interested in? I didn’t say the “market he is interested in.” What’s important is the amount of knowledge he has about your particular market. If he doesn’t know it, he’s not a good candidate.
3. How does he plan on finding you a place to live? Technology? Word of mouth? Newspapers? The more channels he has at his disposal the better.
4. How does he plan on showing you apartments? Is he available when you are available? Will he tell you about open houses? Will he accommodate you when you find a home while cruising through a neighborhood and want to look at it?
5. How will he handle the negotiations? Will he be timely and provide you with consistent information about how a particular negotiation is going?
6. How open and truthful is he with your expectations? Will he promise to be frank with you if you are getting financially over your head?
7. What’s his cut in finding you a home? Is that negotiable?
8. Are you going to be working strictly with this agent or an assistant? How much is the broker involved–if at all?
9. Is he in any legal trouble? Does he have a trail of complaints lodged against him? Has his broker disciplined him in the past? What about the licensing authority of the local area: do they have him for anything?
10. How long are obligated to work with him? What are the requirements to work with him, if any?

Yes, it may seem like these questions are a little intrusive, but it won’t seem that way to a New York real estate agent. It’s part of the game.

Related posts:

1. Buying Real Estate in Thailand
2. Beachfront Real Estate: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
3. Renting Oceanfront Real Estate: Essential Tips