Make sure the agent knows the area well.
Experienced agents work half the time with sellers and the other half with buyers.
Newer agents work mostly with buyers. Agents who work primarily with sellers may be the wrong fit for what you need as a buyer. A good agent often works with five-12 clients at a time. An agent with more than 12 clients may be too busy to focus on your homebuying needs. Ask for a list of the agent's transactions over the last year.