My neighbor's cousin's friend's brother is the BEST realtor in town.

A while back, I set a goal for myself to buy a home in 2013. We are four months in and Spring is technically here...even though there is still snow on the ground and the highs are in the low 30's. I figured it was time to at least start looking. At this point, I'm just window shopping for houses. I probably won't take any real action until late summer or fall, with hopes to save boat loads of money between now and then. Good plan, right?!

Well, ever since I started talking about wanting to start looking (which is clearly a very loose commitment!), everyone and their brother has the best realtor ever and I should use their friend! Here is a list of potential realtors:

• Mustache Man
  I took a first-time home buyers class from him last winter. My cousin and her husband used him last fall and highly recommend him. However, they did say that they knew exactly what they wanted and he was great at showing them a bunch of houses. I'm not sure what I want yet...shocker! His chances with me: 6
  
• Co-workers high school friend's parents
  A married couple -- one grew up in the 'burbs, one grew up in the city. They are the best and many of her friends have purchased homes with their help. Their chances with me: 5
  
• Dad's realtor that sold Grandma's condo (after 4 years on the market and 3 other realtors)
  I often do take my dad's advice, even though I'm stubborn and like to pretend it was my idea to begin with...I don't know much about her and I would like to meet her first. Chance: 7
  
• Current roommate's family realtor
  I have met this woman a couple of times and she is lovely! My roommate was in a similar home buying situations as I am and I know that she was very honest about everything throughout the process. Roommate's parents have also used her for multiple real estate transactions. Chances: 8
  
• Couple that I met at Open House #2
  The man (also a police officer) was very honest and seemed very knowledgeable about quality of the house and neighborhood. The woman (the self-proclaimed handy woman) just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't know exactly why, it's like she was trying too hard to sell their services. I have also already gotten 2 voicemails from them and I went to that open house less than 48 hours ago. These two might make good subjects for a SNL skit. Yikes! Chances: 3
  
• College friend
  Talk about a small world. I went to college in Nashville and now live in Minneapolis. I knew that Emily had moved back to Minneapolis after college and was a realtor. I did not know that she would be hosting the first open house I went to as a potential home buyer. She is young and up on the trends of neighborhoods and city planning. She had a great energy and was eager to help me in my search. I got an email from her yesterday, suggesting next steps and offering her assistance...but not in a way that turned me off. The only thing that concerns me is her knowledge for structural issues and other house things that I don't know about that a realtor could bring to the table. Chances: 8
  
• Mom's hair stylist's neighbor
  He lives in South Minneapolis and is really really great (according to Heidi)! I do trust Heidi's opinion...she passed on his info to my mom. Maybe I will check out his website? Chances: 6

So, I have some options. I need to do a little research of these folks on my own and see what I like. Maybe I will make a Pro/Con list. But from now on, I'm keeping my trap shut about not yet having a realtor!

xoxo,
l