Location, Location, Location

Talk about prime real estate. There is nothing more precious and complex than the human head. Add a 4-inch rusty knife and the outcome cannot be good.

For one man in southern China, it was all about location, location, location.

The 30-year-old was stabbed four years earlier and didn’t realize the blade had broken off in his head. He suffered headaches, bad breath and breathing difficulties, but never knew why. The blade missed all vital arteries and somehow his body managed to compensate for the intrusion. Surgeons were able to pain-stakingly remove the blade without any additional harm to the man.

I know buying or selling a home isn’t like operating on a human head, but I can attest that the pressure makes it feel like surgeons have their tools shoved in my brain.

Finding the right real estate agent, picking the best price range, finding a good neighborhood and wading through a tidal wave of paper work is, to say the least, a pain in the head, er neck.

For starters, huge obstacles can be overcome with the help of a good real estate agent.

Bankrate.com gives some helpful hints on how to find a licensed agent who is right for you. Start with these basic steps:

1. Talk with recent clients.
There’s nothing like first-hand information. You can gain insight into what a person is like by talking to references. Even if each reference gives a good report, it still offers information about how the real estate agent relates.

2. Look up licensing.
It’s a good idea to make sure the person you choose has current licesnes and is not currently under investigation. You can also check disciplinary actions or complaints.

3. Pick a winner.
Check to see if your potential realtor has won awards, has sold a lot of homes in the area and has a good track record. Good things follow those who work hard.

4. Research how long the real estate agent has been in business.
There’s nothing wrong with using a newcomer, but if you are serious about buying or selling, then finding a seasoned veteran is the way to go. Typically, the more years of experience means the person will know the market, trends and keep a steady head throughout the entire process.

5. Check out the agent’s current listings.
If the person has houses sitting on the market or shows a trend of not being able to close the deal, it might be worthwhile to look elsewhere. Current listings will also give you an idea of what type of house the realtor feels most comfortable selling – from trailers to multi-million dollar homes.

Thinking about stepping back into the house buying and selling game gives me a headache. I guess I can’t complain that it feels like a rusty knife in my neck, but sometimes, it’s close. That’s why I keep my finger on the pulse of the areas house happenings with my favorite real estate agent.

Staci Dennis lives in Norfolk, VA, is married to Eric, who is awesome, and has a fat cat and two cute Puggles. She has been published in various newspapers and magazines across the nation, and worked as a reporter for 12 years. She is a contributor for educationjobsiteblogs.com and armedservicesjobsblog.com.