Q: I'm hunting for a rental apartment, and it seems that real
estate agents get ticked off if they find out you're talking to
more than one. One agent has been fairly helpful so far. But
when I show her ads that others have listed, she often takes a
few days to respond. While I'm waiting, should I call the other
agents in the ads? And should I call ads listed by owners, to
avoid paying a Realtor fee?  —Jersey City, N.J.  A: I understand
your dilemma. Despite all the technological advances of the past
decades, the way most agents and buyers get together still
reminds me of a 1950s teen romance. You're the ingénue, who
meets a few agents, goes out a few times, then waits by the
phone for a call. The agents are members of the football team,
who are ready to dazzle you for a few dates, but just as ready
to drop you if you don't commit to a more serious relationship.
Who can you blame them? In the beginning, agents must audition
for your business by wooing you with their knowledge of the
market, listening to your