Looking for an agent

[Justin Johnson]

Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum or if this has been asked/answered 470,000 times already!  I am still learning the BP ropes.  I just finished reading " How to Buy a Duplex – The Ultimate Step by Step Guide" by @Brandon Turner and have some questions.

Step #3 is "Get in Touch with a Real Estate Agent".  I am reading and doing a lot of research on finding an agent and just wanted to know:
What is the process when you start looking for an agent?  Do you just go to the the real estate agency and tell them you want to talk to someone?  Do you cold-call/email agencies/agents?  When you should you start interviewing potential agents?  What kind of questions should be asked of agents?  What is the difference between a real estate agent and a good real estate agent?

This guide was *exactly* what I had been looking for for several months, even before signing up with BP or making the decision to buy my first property.  Thank you Brandon!