| If you're selling a home, you need a licensed | | | | offices. They work with the office as |
| real estate agent. It is feasible to sell | | | | independent contractors to help sell homes. |
| your home on your own (i.e. For Sale by | | | | When choosing a real estate agent, be sure to |
| Owner), but without the proper knowledge of | | | | stick with the larger offices. A no-name |
| how to sell real estate and the paperwork and | | | | office doesn't have the resources necessary |
| procedures involved, you could end up | | | | to sell your home fast and for the best |
| shooting yourself in the foot. Using a real | | | | price. The bigger, more established real |
| estate agent to sell your home will cut back | | | | estate offices often have a network of agents |
| on headaches and ensure that all appropriate | | | | and other real estate professionals that can |
| steps are being followed and documentation | | | | serve you and your specific selling needs. |
| being completed. | | | | |
| | | | Step 4 - Take Names and Ask Questions |
| Step 1 - Ask Around | | | | |
| | | | The bottom line is you're the customer when |
| If you've never dealt with a real estate | | | | you're selling your home. You choose the real |
| agent before, ask your friends and family in | | | | estate agent, they don't choose you. So, |
| the area if they recommend an agent. It's | | | | don't go with the first agent you find. Shop |
| better to go with an agent that comes with a | | | | around. Ask your neighbors for references, go |
| personal recommendation than choosing one | | | | to open houses, and visit the larger real |
| blindly. You should also ask your neighbor if | | | | estate offices in your area. Write down the |
| they know anyone, especially if your | | | | names and contact information of some of the |
| neighbors are new to the area. Asking around | | | | better agents you meet. Then, sit down and |
| will key you in to some of the better real | | | | choose 3 or 4 agents you like and start |
| estate agents around and which ones to avoid. | | | | analyzing. Think about which one will get you |
| | | | the best price for your home and, most |
| Step 2 - Go to Open Houses | | | | importantly, work with and help you |
| | | | throughout the entire process. Some agents |
| This might seem a bit strange, but if you | | | | can get top-dollar for your home but are very |
| want to find an agent that knows your area, | | | | difficult to work with on other areas of the |
| you should go to open houses in your | | | | deal (i.e. completing paperwork, escrow, |
| neighborhood. Even if you don't want to stay | | | | etc.). If you can't decide on an agent, call |
| in that neighborhood, a local real estate | | | | you top choices and set up an interview. Have |
| agent is the way to go. Local agents know how | | | | them bring their resume and proof that |
| much you can get for your home based on your | | | | they're a licensed real estate agent. Most |
| neighborhood and the condition of your home, | | | | agents will be willing to sit down with you |
| and can provide you with insight an | | | | and give you their sales pitch. If they |
| out-of-area agent can't. So, visit a few | | | | aren't, then it's obvious they aren't willing |
| local open houses and talk to the agents | | | | to dedicate themselves to helping you with |
| hosting them. If they aren't able to take on | | | | selling your home. |
| any addition sellers at the moment, they | | | | |
| might be able to refer you to a fellow agent | | | | Selling your home is a big event. The home |
| that knows the area and can help you get the | | | | selling process is a large undertaking that |
| best price for your home. | | | | requires the expertise of a real estate |
| | | | agent. So if you're thinking about selling |
| Step 3 - Choose a Reputable Real Estate | | | | your home, don't go it alone. Use the steps |
| Office | | | | above and find a reputable, reliable, and |
| | | | helpful real estate agent. |
| Real estate agents work out of real estate | | | | |