Step 5 – Find a Real Estate Agent, Lawyer, Builder or Rehabber

There are basically two types of real estate agents who charge 3% to 7% to sell a home:

• A buyer's agent works for the buyer
• A seller's agent works for the seller

Make sure your agent is negotiating and working only for you. Once you sign a contract with the agent, you are required to work only with this agent. This is called an exclusivity agreement.

Check with your state's office of Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. All real estate agents must be licensed if they are going to represent you.

Review the How to Evaluate a Real Estate Agent tool.

Review the Evaluate Builders and Rehabbers tool if you are buying a new house or rehabilitating an existing one.

Review the Timeline for Buying a House tipsheet to understand that you are in control of the process even though the process can seem very out of your control when you are going through it. As a homebuyer you need to be able to manage multiple tasks with multiple people at the same time.