No matter how good a real estate agent is, he can’t read your mind. If you don’t tell him what you want, you’ll drag both of you into a long, painful and often pointless game of trial and error.

Be as specific as possible about what’s important to you. Remember, a good real estate agent will have a very wide network, and can show numerous properties to you. It’s not enough to give him a budget, and say, “Show me houses that fall within that amount.” Give at least two or three of your most important criteria. For example, “My budget is so and so. I want a house wit at least three rooms, since I have kids, and preferably located near a shopping area and a school.”

Notice that you not only told her what you wanted, but also gave a sense of which of those criteria were more important. Budget matters, of course, and size, but the location was a matter of preference—meaning, you’d like it to be near a shopping area, but it’s not as important as the other two.

If you’re not sure about your preferences, you can at least describe your lifestyle or needs to your real estate agent. For example, “I will be traveling very frequently between Valencia and Madrid, where I plan to put up a business. I also have relatives in other parts of that I’d like to see every once in a while.” Well, that tells your real estate agent that access is an important consideration. It can also prompt her to ask other questions, based on what she knows about the real estate industry and the specific properties she already handles. “I know of a house that’s very near the transportation system, but do you mind the noise? Would you like something quieter?” Aah, see, you’re helping each other narrow down the options.

If you can’t think about what you want, you can tell the real estate agent what you don’t want. For example, “I don’t want to be in an isolated area. I really like the party scene and would like to be able to visit a bar or a restaurant at least three times a week.” Or, “I don’t have time to manage a big house. Look for something easier to clean.”