In order to make sure that you find the best real estate agent to work for you, there are some questions that you should be asking.  Remember, your real estate agent will be guiding you through a huge financial investment and they should be a person that you are comfortable with, trust, and communicate well with.

There are many ways to find a professional and responsible real estate agent: ask your friends and family for recommendations, look in the yellow pages, or even search online.  Once you find a few that you like, review written interviews or set-up in-person appointments  in order to ask them questions about how they can help you buy or sell a home.

Remember real estate agents are people just like you.  Each one has their own personality, strengths, and weaknesses (also just like you).  Make sure you find a real estate agent who will work well with your personality.  If you are not comfortable with an agent, then you may want to discuss your concerns with them to see if you can reach a compromise.  If that does not work then you should continue your search for the perfect agent.
 
Keep in mind, that you can only sign a listing or buying agreement with one real estate agent at a time - it is a contract and you could be held liable if you break that agreement.  Do not sign a contract until you have reviewed your real estate agent's philosophies and marketing tactics and are comfortable working with this person.  They are there to help you in every way that they can.

Interviewing Real Estate Agents
Are you a full-time agent?
This may determine how much time they have to devote to you.  If you are aware of their schedule, then you will be able to plan meetings and appointments easily and with less frustration.

Whom do you represent?
A listing agent (although an ethical and fair person) is required to represent the seller first, you want to make sure that you have impartial representation in every situation.

What can you tell me about your office?
The optimal office size is a matter of personal preference. Some folks feel that they need the depth and scope of services that a large office provides while others think that they'll get more personal attention in a small office.

How long have you been an agent?
You want an agent who keeps learning and growing (no matter how long they have been in the business).

What is your understanding of my housing needs?
How your real estate professional understands and remembers your housing needs is important.  You want an agent who will listen to you and remember what is important to you so that they can properly help you buy or sell your home? Have them review the details with you at the end of your conversation to see if they can recall and reiterate what you are looking for?

How many other sellers and buyers do you currently represent?
If, for example, the agent holds four listings open every weekend and is also working with six buyers, where will you fit in?

Do you work in partnership with another agent or use assistants?
Some agents delegate time-consuming detail work to their assistants so that they, themselves, can focus on critical points in the transaction.  It is good to meet and be comfortable with everyone who will be helping you through the transaction.