In the current real estate market, the average real estate agent closes 4 – 5 transactions per year. Here's the thing, though...

I'm not an average real estate agent.

Nor do I plan to be. By the end of 2015, my team of Realtors and I exceeded that measly "average" with over 10 times this number. In fact, we've closed over 40 home sales just in the last 6 months alone.

Whether you are looking for a new home, or selling your existing home, these are some of my favorite resources to help get you started!

If you're a buyer looking for a new home, start right below! If you are selling a home, scroll further down for a list of resources, or click here for a comprehensive list of U.S. Veteran resources.

Buying a New Home? Start Here...

These are some of my personal favorite resources that are extremely helpful if you are looking to purchase a new home. An educated buyer is powerful in the real estate market, and makes it easy to get what you want in a new home.

If you're looking for a real estate agent who is willing to walk you through every step of the process, let's talk.

• Get a budget in place. A poll from Gallup shows that 32% of Americans put together a budget each month to track income and expenditures. If you start budgeting, you are ALREADY ahead of 68% of Americans. Need help? Check out this software (FREE FOR 34 DAYS): http://www.youneedabudget.com/

• Be aware of your credit score. A Credit Score is what lenders look at to determine your creditworthiness. Basically, the better your credit score, the more options and better rates you will receive. There are a number of factors that go into what makes a credit score great. Even if you do not have the greatest score, you can still get a good VA loan. Check and monitor your credit score for free with CreditKarma.com

• Determine if buying a home is right for you. If you're currently a renter, this calculator compares renting costs against the cost of buying a home. You might be surprised by the information you learn! Use the Rent vs. Buy Calculator

• Find a lender that offers you a competitive rate. Since every homebuyer's situation is different, offering resources for home loan lenders would be difficult. I suggest reading this article, 5 Tips for Finding the Best Mortage Lenders to help!

• Get Pre-Approved. Before you start looking for a home or talk to a Realtor, you should get pre-approved through a mortgage lender of your choice. This pre-approval letter does not guarantee you a home loan, but it does help you and your Realtor know the price range you are approved for. Here are 5 things you need to get pre-approved for a home loan. Learn how to get pre-approved here >

• What kind of mortgage is right for you? Whether you go conventional, FHA (Federal Housing Administration), or if you are using a VA loan, it's important to determine what kind of home loan is right for you. Here is a great article on FHA loans vs. Conventional loans >

• Get educated about FHA loans with this Federal Housing Administration FAQ and this Florida FHA resource >

• Where do you want to live? The next natural step in this process is to determine what neighborhood or city you want to live in. Most people already know this when going into the home buying process. My suggestion is to create a list of "top priorities" in a home, whether it be location, a pool, a large kitchen, or a minimum of 3 bedrooms. This is just one way to make your real estate agent love you. Here's 5 more ways >

• Check the crime in the area. These are maps that detail the crimes committed in that area. You need a safe place for you and your family, this will help ensure you are picking the right neighborhood for you. Click here if you need a crime map.

• Find the best school in the area. If you have kids, picking a county with school that best support your children and their educational needs is a top priority. Schools actually have a rating system, and this information is available to you for free. Click here if you want to look up schools in the area you are looking. [http://www.greatschools.org/]

• Find your dream home. Now it's time to start searching listings and looking at homes so we can find the one that's best suited for you! Find Your Dream Home

• Determine what you'll pay. Use the mortage calculator below to calculate your monthly mortgage payment!