Buying a home is one of the most important financial events of a person's lifetime. And, money aside, it's not a simple transaction. That's where a real estate agent comes in.

More information The Greater Rochester Association of Realtors Inc. 103 White Spruce Blvd. Rochester, N.Y. 14623 (716) 292-5000

"The agent is the person who brings all the difficulty and intricacy involved in buying a home together for the buyer or seller,'' says Phil Nothnagle, president of Nothnagle Realtors.

They begin by meeting with clients to find out what their property needs are and how much they can afford. After qualifying clients for financing and finding prospective properties, agents will take their clients out to show the property.

According to Nothnagle, agents also expose clients to a variety of markets, provide information on such things as schools, recreation and travel times, tell their clients what's involved in buying a property, suggest engineering inspections and prepare and negotiate sales contracts.

To become a real estate agent, a person must be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate and pass a written examination. Priscilla Toth, director of professional development with the New York State Association of Realtors, says agents must take the 45-hour Salesperson's Qualifying Course and pass an exam.

Once the candidate has successfully completed the course, he or she then must pass a separate, state examination. They may then apply to the New York Department of State to become a licensed real estate salesperson.

Real estate agents in New York must have their license renewed every two years, which requires 22½ hours of continuing education credit in state-approved programs.

The Internet has become an important tool for real estate agents as well. For example, people moving from long distances can access all kinds of home listings in the area they're moving to. The technology allows agents to distribute information in seconds and for little cost. Because of the Internet boom agents can often work from their homes as well.

Because a good portion of their time is spent researching and showing properties to clients, real estate agents often work nights and weekends to accommodate their clients' work schedules.

Mike Caceci, Realtor with Nothnagle Realtors, says most agents work full-time because buying a home has become such a complicated transaction.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook the median annual income of a full-time real estate professional was $31,500 in 1996. The top 10 percent earned more than $75,000.