Many of the same questions, hesitations and strategies connected with seeking out professional assistance in any field - whether you're looking for a doctor, dentist, lawyer or accountant - come into play when your selecting a real estate agent. Some people find an agent through a family member or friend. This is often a reliable approach. But you might not always find the most compatible assistance this way. And in a transaction as important and intensive as buying and selling a home, that can be critical.

Regardless of how you get an agent's name, it might be worth interviewing at least a couple before you mike a final decision - or at least arming yourself with some criteria to go over with any agent who has been recommended to you.

A few things to look for:

* If you're looking for an agent to list your home, be wary of anyone who suggests they can get an unreasonably high sales price. An agent might use a high listing price to secure a contract, only to seek a lower price later, after little traffic is generated at the initial price level.

* Check on experiance, education and productivity. As with most professions, experience pays in real estate. Experianced agents know the market and the marketing process. They'll have the best chance of quickly and smoothly helping you sell your home.

The number of transactions an agnt is handling monthly or yearly is going to give you an indication of how committed the agent is to the profession. Is the agent a part-timer who's just dabbling in real estate sales - or is the agent a full-time professional whose livelihood depends entirely on an ability to successfully and repeatedly close real estate transactions?

* Is the agent part of a national network? This can be especially important if you're selling in one city in preparation of moving to another. Your selling agent can refer you to a professional, compatible agent in your destination city - and keep in close contact with that agent so both your selling and buying efforts are closely coordinated.

* And a final point: Does the agent seem primarily interested in sharing expertise and market knowledge in an honest and straightforward manner? Or does the agent seem more interested i telling you what you want to hear. The worst time to secure the services of a "yes-man" or an agent who seems to have a bit too many irons in the fire is when you're entering a transaction involving something as expensive as your home. You need straightforward, reliable information - even if it's not necessarily flattering regarding the home you're selling. Be objective!