There are several ways to find a good agent in your hometown…….The first thing you need to understand is that it does not matter how much money you have as a down payment in order to get an agent that is patient and ethical. You will have to decide if the agent that you are dealing with has those qualities.
Here are a couple ways;
Go to your hometown and walk through some real estate doors.
If you can’t go to your hometown first, then get on the phone and call at least three offices and speak with the agent on duty. Ask for listings to be emailed to you and then sit back and see who comes through and the differences that comes with the same search perimeters. After having the information sent to you over a period of time, then you will be able to see which agent fits your needs best. If you don’t think that any of the agents are a good fit to you, then keep looking. That agent is out there. Good luck, and happy house hunting!

There is no ultimate answer, however, do your own private research. strall the city, look around and notice who are the players in the area. go to their websites, search for testimonials and done deals. visit them personally (this should give you a lot), try to contact their actual and recent clients. thats the best way to get reliable info from more sources!

Joe –
Contact several mortgage lenders in the area and explain your situation. They work with real estate agents all day and know who is pleasant to work with and who is a pain. Some agents specialize in working with buyers and can help make the transaction go smoothly for you. You will also know after talking to several lenders which one of them you would like to work with. Also, talk with your friends and family there – if they have purchased recently, they should know of a good agent.