Choosing a Realtor as an Out-of-town investor?

[Katherine Fusco]

Hi wonderful people!

I'm a newbie who wants to invest in my hometown (the market where I currently live is too hot for me to start out in). I'm familiar with the area and the housing stock, but I don't know many real estate professionals in that area. How do you pick a realtor to work with when you're not local? What are good signs? What are walk-away warning signs? 

Thanks so much!