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What she means is that Realtors often specialize - for example some specializing in selling, first time Home Buyer, Commercial/rental properties, 2nd homes, and just buying in general. Their in depth knowledge will come from which of these areas they have built the most experience and research and familiarity. If you call a realty office and tell them you are seeking a Buyer's realtor to assist you as a first time Home Buyer, they should match you up with someone whose clients fall primarily in this category.
Also, have you actually gotten the loan preapproval in your hand? When I was looking, most realtors would not take me seriously until I did, and then the amount of house you can afford based on total loan amount, taxes and fees, broken out by month.
Also, bring someone you trust to speak out their opinion with you to see the home(s). They will see things you will not, and some things I didn't even know to ask. Like the size of the water heater (20 gallons in one place I looked, that was turned on by a switch!). Look at the age of the electrical wiring and see if it can easily meet the current electronic workload. A lot of these will depend on the age of the home. Also take a really close look at the roof - when was the last one put on? Was it a 10 year, 15 year, 30 year? Does the ground slope/saturate in certain areas that may lead to flooding in heavy rains?
Drive by the house at different times of day and gauge street traffic.. ask the neighbors whether they're happy with the area. A mortgage is a big commitment, you can change the house but you can't change the neighborhood.
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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna
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