Homeownership is a dream that may be within closer reach with today's loan rates and homes for sale in the market. However, before you go out and buy a home on your own, consider hiring the services of a qualified experienced real estate agent. To help you recognize a great real estate professional, here are some tasks that your realtor should provide help for you during the home search and purchase stages.

Help You Get Financing

Besides what type of home you want, one of the first questions your real estate agent should ask you is if you have been pre-qualified with a mortgage yet. This question is one in which your realtor will need to know about so they know what steps to take next. If you have been pre-qualified, then they will know how much you are approved for in your loan so they can start searching for homes that have qualities that fit your wish list. 

But if you have not been pre-qualified yet, your real estate agent can give you information for a mortgage broker that can help you get your loan paperwork started so you can get pre-qualified. Your loan for the home you want to purchase is the key to the entire process, and a great realtor knows this and won't waste their time helping you find a home before you have your financing figured out.

When you are working with a great realtor, you will know this because they also have professional connections to other successful individuals. They will likely know a mortgage broker or two, whom they likely work with on a daily basis through their regular real estate purchase transactions of other buyers. If your realtor is not able to recommend a mortgage lender, you can always seek out your own, but you may want to find another realtor who has the right connections to make your purchase successful.

Understand Your Needs

As you start working with your real estate agent, they should ask you a lot of questions about what type of home you want to buy. If you don't know, they can also help you determine what things you need and want in a home. The type of home you need should provide the space and comfort for your family in the right location. 

Your realtor will want to know where you work and what school districts you want to live in. If you are not sure about areas or school districts, your realtor can provide you with some knowledge on various neighborhoods and the school districts and information, such as crime statistics and population information of specific areas.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a realtor in your area.