Finding a good real estate agent/broker is essential to enjoying a painless real estate transaction. The saying is "20% of the agents do 80% of the business," and it is true. The question is how can you find a good real estate agent? The best agent for you is an experienced professional who will listen to you, conduct herself in an ethical manner and knows your market. 

1. REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents 

All Realtors® are licensed to sell real estate as an agent or a broker but not all real estate agents are Realtors®. Only Realtors® can display the Realtor® logo. Realtors® belong to the National Association of Realtors and pledge to follow the Code of Ethics, a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and underlying standards of practice, which establish levels of conduct that are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law. Less than half of all licensees are Realtors®.
If you have a complaint when working with a non- Realtor®, you have no recourse through even your local real estate board, as these agents are not members and cannot be held accountable for their actions through the boards grievance and professional standards committee practices. Something to really think about twice when choosing an agent! 

2. Referrals 

Most real estate agents stay in business because satisfied clients refer them to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers. Ask the people around you who they have used and ask them to describe their experiences with this real estate agent. Successful agents make customer satisfaction their number one priority and put their customers' needs before their own. Try to find an agent who goes above and beyond her responsibilities. She'll be the agent whose praises your friends sing loudest.
3. Search Online for Agent Listings
There are plenty of Web sites that will refer agents to you but that is no assurance of quality. The agents they refer are those who have paid the Web site owners a fee to be listed in their directory. A better bet is to Google the agents doing business in your area, go to those Web sites. Look for customer testimonials.  

4. Track Neighborhood Signs 

Pay attention to the listing signs in your neighborhood. Results speak volumes. One of the worst mistakes for selling and buying is to use the agent from across town. The Atlanta metro area is too wide spread for an agent to specialize in every market. Your agent cannot represent you well unless they have specific market knowledge about the particular area you are selling or buying in. A telltale sign is when your agent cannot find the neighborhood they are showing you homes in without a navigation system or map book, or they are so far away that they recommend for you to call the listing agent when you want to see a house. 

6. Recommendations from Professionals 

Some agents sell only commercial or investment property, do not specialize in residential sales or work a different area than you are interested in and would be happy to refer you. Mortgage brokers are also a resource for agent referrals as many brokers have first-hand knowledge of exceptional agents. Pros tend to refer pros. 

7. Here are some services a listing agent should offer you 

Top listing agents sell homes day in and day out. Here is a list of services most listing agents offer to sellers: 

• Top-notch marketing materials and proven selling systems.
• Professional virtual tours and photography.
• Wide Internet exposure.
• Networking with fellow real estate agents.
• Price guidance according to market data and recent sales.
• Home staging, inspector and repair contractor referrals.
• Buyer feedback.
• Confirmation of potential buyer qualifications.
• Counter offer and negotiation expertise.

8. Buyer's Agents Work for the Buyer and Not the Seller 

Done correctly, a buyer's agent's job is to put the buyer's interests ahead of the agent's, to disclose all material facts, keep the buyer's information confidential, provide the buyer with sufficient information to purchase a home and expertly negotiate on the buyer's behalf. 

Here are some of the services you can expect to get from a buyer's agent that you might not be able to obtain on your own. Apart from hearing about listings before homes are available to the public, agents can: 

• Provide comparable sales from the tax records.
• Provide sales data from MLS based on area searches.
• Pull property profiles reflecting sales history, property data, demographics and neighborhood services.
• Run reports on listing agent's list-price to sales-price ratios.
• Calculate annual facts and trends about an area.
• Suggest offer strategy.
• Prepare a strong offer that presents the buyer in the best light based on market demands and agent interaction / networking.
• Review of documents for loopholes and obtain disclosures.
• Provide a buffer between you and the seller's agent.
• If you feel competent that you can handle a sale or purchase on your own, you probably can. But you may always wonder if you paid too much or accepted too low of a price.