Q: We’ve been out with a couple of different agents looking at houses over the last few weeks.

They each have showed us different things. Do agents have favorites or what? We look on the internet sites but it’s hard to really know if we would like places until we see them.

A: First, you should decide who you’d like to work with on a long term basis and make a commitment to that agent or broker. It’s common for visitors and tourists to want to just window shop houses and that can be a real waste of an agents time, so if they’re not too busy they may do a quick tour of homes that are easy to show and nearby.

You should do an interview with several agents and select the one you feel you can work with best. Once you’ve selected that agent you should have a long conversation with that person so that they know what type of property you are most interested in. That can narrow the search. You should also get pre-approved with a lender as soon as possible so that you and the agent know your realistic price range. Remember that the price range isn’t just how much you can borrow, but also how much you’re comfortable spending on a mortgage each month.

You might also talk to your agent about the many limitations we have here. You know you like Vashon and want to move here but you need to know about the challenges with ferry commuting, King County’s critical areas ordinance, problems with landslide hazard areas, water and septic issues, etc. Knowing these things will help empower you to make better decisions.

Buying a home is a serious and expensive undertaking. The relationship you have with your real estate professional is critical to making that buying process go smoothly. Choosing someone you can trust, who is knowledgeable and experienced is important. Finding an agent who will do the research and go that extra mile will create a good, trusting relationship that means you’ll end up with a positive outcome.