The decision to buy or sell a home is one of the most important financial decisions most people make, yet many give little thought to finding the real estate agent best suited to their needs. Agents are often chosen solely on the recommendation of a friend or an ad in the newspaper.
Ever wish you could see through the hype to hire the best real estate agent for buying or selling your home? When it comes to choosing real estate agents, "we don't have the information that we have about other service professionals," says Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, in Washington, D.C.
Edited by Paul Anderberg, Ben Rubenstein, al do, Versageek and 36 others Steps to take when looking for a real estate agent. Decide which steps to take. Meet agents out in their working environment, not in their offices. Good agents spend very little time at their desks.
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly.
If you sell your home yourself, without the assistance of a real estate agent, you can save a bundle on commissions. However, make sure you know what you're getting into first. Learn about what the process entails, whether it's a good idea for your situation, and where to get help if you do decide to go it alone.
Interview more than one agent before you choose one - and be sure to ask the right questions. By Pat Mertz Esswein of Kiplinger © David Sacks/Getty Images If you're selling a home, a good real-estate agent will help you set the right price, market the home professionally, qualify the buyers and expertly negotiate and finalize the deal.
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