How to hire a real estate agent?

[Matthew F.]

Hello, obviously this is a noobie question, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

I've exchanged emails with a few real estate agents but I'm unaware of the process of actually going about hiring one. How do you ask to work with them? Should I call them instead of emailing or do both? What sort of questions should I be asking? I imagine they have to want me as a client, so how do I best present my intentions for them to consider their options? Do you work with multiple and the one that finds a deal gets paid or do you pick one and work directly with them?

Some general info about what I'm looking for if it is relevant to anything I've asked:

• Single-family home
• less than 550k 
• paying cash with the intention to likely refinance
• College Park, MD
• Ideally looking for something in the next 6 months but if not possible, then something in the next year