| You've lived in your house for 30 years and now | | | | states it is pretty easy to get a real estate |
| it's time to sell. Should you try to sell it on your | | | | license, in others like New Jersey, you must have |
| own or do you get a realtor? Choosing a real | | | | approximately 60 hours of class time before you |
| estate agent will be one of the most important | | | | can site for your license exam. After you receive |
| decisions you will make and it's a decision that you | | | | your license and choose a real estate agency to |
| should not rush into. | | | | work from you still have to take refresher |
| You should do your research before you sign on | | | | classes each year to keep your license in good |
| with any realtor. Selling your house is a major life | | | | order. |
| altering decision. Too many house sellers call the | | | | Ask for credentials; check to see if your realtor |
| first number they see on a lawn sign while driving | | | | or real estate agent has won any awards or has |
| around and use them. Others call the first number | | | | any advanced real estate licenses. For example |
| listed in the phone book. Just because a realtor is | | | | some real estate agents also are appraisers or |
| popular or begins with the letter "A" doesn't mean | | | | mortgage brokers. This shows they are in |
| they are right for you. | | | | business for the long haul. |
| When choosing a realtor you may want to | | | | Ultimately, go with your gut feelings. If a possible |
| choose a company that has been in the business | | | | realtor tells you that they can sell your house for |
| for many years. Chances are they would have | | | | much more than the appraised value, don't trust |
| past experience with selling a house similar to | | | | him. He is wasting your time and you won't have |
| yours. This is the time to get references from | | | | a happy selling experience. Each sale is important |
| people who have sold their homes recently. See if | | | | to you and the realtor. If you feel like you are |
| they had good experiences with a particular | | | | just another sale it's time for a new realtor. |
| realtor and THEN do your homework to see if | | | | A realtor can be a huge help when selling your |
| that particular realtor is right for you. | | | | house... or they can be major obstacle and create |
| Another factor to consider is the level of | | | | problems. Chose carefully. You and your money |
| education your Real Estate Agent has. In some | | | | will be spending a lot of time with this person. |