So you've reduced your property search down to the Boulder Mapleton Hill area. Now what do you do? First off - You're ahead of most home buyers in the fact that you've narrowed your preferences to one or two neighborhoods.

Now, it's time to find an Realtor who is a specialist in the neighborhood who can help you. Even if you've been through the home buying process before, it's always a good idea to employ a neighborhood expert.. But how do you recognize which one to decide on? Here are five things to consider when shopping for the best broker who can prevent a lot of problems that would have otherwise been avoided by not dealing with someone not familiar with the territory.

Interview Several real estate experts
The only surefire way to find a a realty expert that you’re comfortable with is to talk to several of them in the neighborhood where you’re looking to purchase. Be sure to ask about how much activity they've had in the Mapleton Hill District. Take note of their demeanor and if you feel like they are genuinely interested in helping you find the best home for you and your family.

Ask for a list of references
Agents are professional people too. That’s why they will play up the positive things they’ve accomplished recently and gloss over the negative. After all, this is important business! It's far better to get the opinion of past customers. If they don't have any, you'll be better off finding someone who does. Happy past clients are probably a good indicator
that you'll be a happy client too.

Deciding on the best realty expert can sometimes depend mostly on your intuition. Do some know more about the subdivision than others? Does one office have a more prominent presence than others in the neighborhood? There's nothing wrong with choosing an real estate agent who has know-how in an area over a friend or family member. After all - this is business.

Find Agents who Pre-screen Homes
Most neighborhood experts are willing to pre-screen homes for you. Are you looking for a home near area schools? Is having a basement essential? Weeding out the homes that don't fit your specific criteria by previewing them in advance can be a great time saver.

How quickly do they return your calls?
How promptly an real estate agent follows up with you during your first couple contacts is a strong indicator of how well you'll be treated in the future. How easily reached are they outside of normal business hours? Not all agents are created equal. (Not by a long shot.) Work with the right Realtor for the job, and you'll find an excellent home. Pick the wrong real estate agent, and you could waste a lot of time at the very least. Or worse - you could end up getting the wrong home and make a terrible investment.

Following the above tips, and finding the right real estate agent should be a breeze. Talk with two or three agents in the Mapleton Hill neighborhood, and you should have a great experience with your next home purchase. The most important thing is to be comfortable with the one you select so finding a new home is more fun and less stressful.