First Time Home Buyer - How / When To Pick A Realtor?

[Jon Burkhart]

Hello, All!  My wife and I are looking to buy our first home in the next 3-6 months and have a couple of quesitons on HOW and WHEN to pick a realtor.

1)  The HOW? Obviously lots of friends and family have a guy (or girl) that they know, family, friend, previous agent that they want to reccomend.  How do I go about finding a good realtor?  I know one trait that I would like is a good negotiator that knows the comps, gets me a great price, and I am hoping can get creative (ex; seller pays closing costs, etc).

2)  The WHEN?  I expect to have my downpayment funds within the next 1-3 months.  My initial thought was to wait until I have the entire downpayment to reach out to a realtor so I don't waste their time for a couple months before buying, but would it make sense to start working with someone now?

Would love any input or reccomendations you have!  Looking to buy in the Buffalo Grove, IL or Lake Zurich, IL area (60089 and 60047).