Buying a house isn’t a task to be taken lightly. The house you decide to live in and its location have an enormous effect on your life. Your house does more than protect you from the elements; it’s where you raise a family and go to relax after a long day’s work. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or have lived in several houses, it’s daunting to search the housing market to find a home for your family.

Buying a house through a real estate agent offers many benefits that make the process simpler. It’s a realtor’s job to know about the houses available on the market. If your family needs a room for every kid, a pool, or a small yard, realtors can find houses that meet your wants and needs. Finding that right house for your family is largely dependent on hiring the right real estate agent.

Where ever you’re looking for a home, the area is bound to have multiple real estate companies each with several agents. Finding the right agent to work with can be trickier than you think. The first thing to look for in an agent is whether or not they are a realtor. The difference between realtors and real estate agents is that the former is licensed through the National Association of Realtors. Realtor licensing requires additional professional and ethical training. Not to say that all realtors are better than real estate agents, but it’s a first step in finding the right one.

Whether you go with a real estate agent or realtor, be sure to check the validity of their license. The status of a license can be verified online through a state’s Bureau of Real Estate. In addition to checking that a license is valid, you can find out if the agent has complaints against them or if they’ve received awards.

Once you’ve found potential agents, give them a call. Interviewing real estate agents is the only way to come to your own decision. You might ask questions about how long they’ve been in business, the type of homes they work with, and how they prefer to communicate. With a bit of research, you can find a real estate agent who works hard rather than one that’s hard to work with. Finding an agent who is honest and dedicated to your needs is the first step in buying the right family home.