1. Make certain you consider only full-time agent.
2. To get a good sense of the agent (even if your very best friend recommended him/her) read their web site. Is it informative, knowledgeable about the area etc. This is not the same as a boiler plate profile or website template. Your trying to get a feel for the agent and if he/she didn't bother to inform you about the area, he/she is probably just using the site to drive leads.
3. Make sure the agent is familiar with price trends in your target area not just "what the cma pulls up". There are many economic variables your agent should be aware of. Because of my economics background I always research the market trend of the target area. Now if you are buying investment property you are more concerned with roi.

This was a mouth full. Just want you to be aware that an experienced and well rounded REALTOR will give you both the big and small RE picture. It is definitely a great time to buy and the trend will continue, by this REALTOR's estimation, for the next 6 months.

Authored by: Yvonne Russell

Here are some important numbers and data from MLS for Aug 2009 which shows that the inventory of homes on the market in El Paso contracted. Home sales are down from July. Average sales prices went down slightly this month. This information is for residential, single family residential properties including town houses and condos listed in the city of El Paso during the month of Aug. 2009. What is apparent, as i complied this data, is that the Actual sales price for August was down than it has been in the five previous months. Also, 447 homes were sold in El Paso in August and there are 3614 homes currently on the market. It seems that the real estate market in El Paso continues to be a buyers market. So my advise to buyers is that they make an offer once they find a home they like. As a buyer can see the list price is not far off from the selling price so the market is currently priced correctly. For Sellers the news is the same. If you price right and your home is ready to show, it will sell.

author: Yvonne Russell
www.russell-realtor.com/

10% of purchase price up to $80K for max of $8K tax credit. Income cut-off Modified Adjusted Gross Income for single is $75K and couples of annual MAGI less than $150K. Credit doesn’t have to be repaid unless house is resold in 36 mons. even if loan is financed with mortgage revenue bonds. Any resident alien or citizen who has not owne a home in last 3 yrs qualifies.
1)Texas Dept of Housing & Community Affairs has two short term loan programs to be repaid with federal tax credit.
2)Mortgage Assistance Program 5% of 1st lien amount up to $6K, interest free for 120 days.
3) Down Payment Assistants Program has a loan of 5% up to $7K 90 days interest free.
see Yvonne Russell, Remax Associates
MyFirstTexasHome.com