When choosing a web design firm, you will want to consider a few on-page factors.
1.) Can you easily access the Title, Meta description of each page: This will allow for better SEO placement.
2.) Site Structure: Make sure the site has an intelligent onpage linking strategy. This will allow for Google, for example to rank certain parts of your site as authoritative.
3.) Budget: Web designers are all over the map in terms of pricing. One thing is for sure, own your own site. Do not get a site that you pay on a monthly basis without owning the rights to it.
4.) Like Maui Realtor wrote, visitors are looking for photos, maps, descriptions of properties,etc. You will need an IDX solution. There are several good ones out there. Check your MLS board thought. They may offer a free one where you can Iframe around it. Some are: ihomefinder.com; idxre.com, idxbroker.com
All the best,
William Jimenez
www.Will2Design.com