Let your agent know what you expect.

Tell your agent what you want and how you want to be involved in the home search process. Some buyers prefer their agents to handpick properties for their consideration; others want to receive new listings on a daily basis so that they can comb through them themselves and then make a list of what stands out and is important to them.

Listen to your Realtor's advice, but remember that you're the boss. And speaking of bosses, it's a good idea for ALL decision-makers to be available for important meetings like deciding the price of your home, signing offers and viewing properties.

Ask Questions!

All questions are good questions. Who better to help you understand the process, than someone who does? The selling and buying process can be a stressful one - the more you know, the more comfortable you can feel that things are moving in the right direction. 

Know your finances.

SELLERS: Know your expenses ahead of time. Is your mortgage portable? Will there be a payout penalty? What are selling fees? Lawyers fees etc. We will discuss these important topics in our first meeting, so gather the information that is available to you and we can help with the rest. 

BUYERS: Determining how much money you have accessible for your down payment and how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis is key. Get pre-approved with a Mortgage Broker or  Bank and lock in a rate that you are happy with before starting your home search.  When calculating the costs of home ownership, remember to plan for homeowner's insurance, property taxes, private mortgage insurance (if required), utilities, repairs, and maintenance etc. 
I can recommend a few Mortgage Brokers if you don't already have someone you are already working with.