You need to sell or buy a home — and to find a Realtor for that transaction, you have to sift through thousands of people who could make or break one of the most serious, important financial decisions in your life. Where do you begin?

Top agent Dave Mattes, who sells homes 55% quicker than the average agent in Reading, Pennsylvania, believes that “a good real estate agent is somebody who dedicates enough time to treat their customers well, and they have fast responses, market knowledge, and good communication.”

Follow these steps for how to find a real estate agent you can trust completely and distinguish the bad from the good.

Four steps to find a Realtor that’s right for you

You can work with either a real estate agent or a Realtor to buy or sell a home. Both professionals are licensed to transact real estate. Note that Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors and are bound by the Realtor Code of Ethics. Be sure and ask any agent that you’re interviewing about these qualifications.

The right Realtor or real estate agent for you will understand how to market and sell your house and know your area inside and out. Not only will they help you sell for more and save money where it counts, but a quality agent will also negotiate for other non-financial concessions that you might need. And through it all, they’ll keep you appropriately informed.