When you’re looking at Ijara financing to buy some property, you’ll find there are some things that are the same and others that are quite different from a traditional Western transaction.

Of course, with Islamic loans, you’ll want to find a lending institution that is Sharia compliant so you can stay clear of riba. That aside, finding an effective real estate agent is pretty straightforward. Here’s a few things that you should be looking for. Remember, a good real estate agent should be:

Experienced

Although you might be inclined to give a novice a chance, it’s best to use an experienced real estate agent. That’s not to say that you need to select from a pool of real estate agents who have Islamic financing backgrounds. It’s a much better idea to choose the candidates from those experts who understand the market you are most interested in.

Never be afraid to ask questions about their credentials. In fact, it’s a good idea to see their licenses as well as the homes they’ve sold in the neighborhood you think your family might like.

Make sure that they can answer all of your questions about the amenities in the neighborhood that you think you might be interested in. For example, you’ll need to know about schools and transportation as well as any future plans for development.

Tech Savvy

Of course, it makes sense to have a real estate agent that’s a practicing Muslim and understands how Ijara financing works. It’s just as important to make sure that person is up-to-date on all the latest technology. Finding price comparisons and the amenities on your wish list for a new house is made much easier when the agent is tech savvy.

In fact, narrowing down your choices here can start with an Internet search of your own. Not only can you Google the words real estate agent in the city or town that you are interested in, you can see if the agent has a LinkedIn page or Facebook business page.

Another box that you want to check is your agent’s listing on any MLS page. Do they have their own website? If they do, you’ll want to have a serious and critical look at it to make sure that it’s professionally put together.

Look for any comments or customer testimonials from past clients to see what their experience has been like.

Personable

A personal connection is another benefit to finding a good real estate agent. Keep in mind that Ijara financing concerns aside, buying any kind of real estate is one of the biggest purchases that you will ever make.

Finding an agent that you can get along with will help you to feel comfortable enough to ask the right questions. Remember that it’s important to have a conversation and make it very clear to any candidates what’s important to you. A good real estate agent will prioritize your wish list and help you to get as much as you can in your purchase.