http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-48823-241333/The latest answers submitted by Terry Lasky to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/removed-35015Answer by Terry Lasky: Hello Home Buyer. It sounds to me like you could use a dynamic buyers agent working for you. A buyers agent will be your advocate and help you not only through the transactional details of buying a home, but also help identify what it is you are looking for within a community (1) and then what you are looking for within a home(2). There are many places to find a good agent, first I would say is by referral of someone who has had a great experience with their agent. If you don't know anyone in the area, then going to open houses might be a good way to get a feel for who is out there and can help you. I generally don't attend the showings on my listings, only becuase it seems to make most buyers more uncomfortable. However, I do have packets at the house about the neighborhood and community, I also have disclosures and utility information. I do volunteer to help the other agent with any needs they may have, but it's a tight line to walk between being proactive and not pushy. I show my listings quite regularly because of my responsiveness and genuine interest in the people calling/emailing about my homes. Because of this I sell about 20% of my homes. I don't know if that helps, but please feel free to continue dialogue with me. This should be an exciting process for you and if it's not, let's try to make it that way. I hope your search process improves. Best regards.Fri, 9 May 2008 10:45:53 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Do_realtors_typically_conduct_Open_Houses_until_a_-35161Answer by Terry Lasky: Hello Matt, Keep in mind that only 2% of homes nationally sell off an open house. Open houses are very effective for agents to try to attract buyers (with the hope that just one will be interested in your home). I have sold over 500 homes and only 2 of my sales came off the open house. I generally try to hold open my listings every 3 weeks (not too often as to look desperate and hurt your negotiation position with prospective buyers). My listings get advertised in the Sunday Homes section of the local paper (which helps to give extra exposure). Open house schedules should be discussed when interviewing agents and ultimately it's important that you feel the agent you hire understands your needs and can implement solutions to arrive at your desired goals (open houses only being one venue). I hope that helps, but feel free to contact me if I can be of any more assistance.Fri, 9 May 2008 10:36:58 PDT