Find a REALTOR Who Knows the Neighborhood

I have never understood why people don't do their homework and find an agent who knows the area.
I bumped into a concept the other day that floored me. Basic rule of salemanship #1 says never let an offer die for lack of a counter offer. In short, we got a low ball offer and we countered it, with a very reasonable counter, not a High ball or $2 below asking. We got the response "we are not close enough". They made an offer 25% off of asking price!!! When you need solid experienced real estate representation, find a broker who knows the country...not your sister who is in it part time.