Choosing to purchase a new home is a big decision. While you can go through this process on your own, unless you’re well versed in the real estate and financial markets, you may want to get some outside help to ensure you’re covering all your bases. For this reason, most people choose to use a real estate agent Greensboro when shopping for a new home. However, because this isn’t something that’s normally done on a regular basis, you may not know who to choose as your real estate agent. Picking the wrong agent could leave you with a much higher mortgage and a house that isn’t perfect for you. To help make this decision a little easier on you, here are three tips for choosing the right real estate agent to help you find a new home.

Get A Personal Referral

Even if you’ve never bought a home before or are new to the home buying marketing in your area, you likely know at least a few people who have purchased homes in the area you’re looking in to. And according to Elizabeth Weintraub, a contributor to The Balance, these people could be a great resource for you in finding a real estate agent to work with. Ask around to your friends, neighbors, or family members to see if anyone can make a referral for you. Going this route can often be a much safer bet because you know that someone has already had a positive experience with this real estate agent if they’re willing to refer you to them in the first place.

Find Someone Who’s In Real Estate Full Time

To ensure you’re working with a real estate agent who knows what they’re doing, Teresa Mears, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, recommends choosing to work with someone who does real estate full time and not just as a side hustle. The housing market is an ever-changing entity. Because of this, it’s crucial that you’re working with someone who has their full attention devoted to this market. If you choose to work with someone who just does real estate on the side, they may not be as well informed about the housing options in your area. So to get the best help available, look for someone who focuses their career solely on the real estate market.

Know What Certain Credentials Mean

When you’re looking at potential real estate agents to work with, you’ll likely find some who tout their credentials. Having certain credentials can be beneficial, but only if you know what these credentials actually mean. According to Dana Dratch, a contributor to BankRate.com, a CRS credential means this agent is certified in residential homes, while an ABR credential has more to do with the transactions of buying a home. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may weigh some credentials more than others.

If you’re interested in finding the best real estate agent for you, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just that.