Before hiring a real estate agent, research his or her reputation online.

A good real estate agent will come with a good reputation. Getting recommendations from friends and family is a tried and true method of finding an agent, but you can also turn to the Web for further research.

"A lot of Realtors are blogging, so I would look for blogs in my local area and see who's writing and watch what they post," says Bernice Ross, CEO of RealEstateCoach.com. "See if they're on Facebook and Twitter. Type their name into Google to see what comes up. Do they have a presence online? What's been said about them online? It's kind of a matter of doing your homework ahead of time."

In a competitive industry like real estate, an agent who is respected and admired by his/her peers also says a lot.

• Learn how social networking sites can help you find a real estate agent

• Get tips on shopping for a Realtor

• Learn how to choose a great listing agent

• Take the stress out of buying and selling with tips from our Drama-Free Real Estate Guide

NEXT: #9: Check out their credentials >>