| If you're selling a home, you need a licensed real | | | | offices. They work with the office as independent |
| estate agent. It is feasible to sell your home on | | | | contractors to help sell homes. When choosing a |
| your own (i.e. For Sale by Owner), but without | | | | real estate agent, be sure to stick with the larger |
| the proper knowledge of how to sell real estate | | | | offices. A no-name office doesn't have the |
| and the paperwork and procedures involved, you | | | | resources necessary to sell your home fast and |
| could end up shooting yourself in the foot. Using a | | | | for the best price. The bigger, more established |
| real estate agent to sell your home will cut back | | | | real estate offices often have a network of |
| on headaches and ensure that all appropriate | | | | agents and other real estate professionals that |
| steps are being followed and documentation being | | | | can serve you and your specific selling needs. |
| 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 agent | | | | you're selling your home. You choose the real |
| before, ask your friends and family in the area if | | | | estate agent, they don't choose you. So, don't go |
| they recommend an agent. It's better to go with | | | | with the first agent you find. Shop around. Ask |
| an agent that comes with a personal | | | | your neighbors for references, go to open |
| recommendation than choosing one blindly. You | | | | houses, and visit the larger real estate offices in |
| should also ask your neighbor if they know | | | | your area. Write down the names and contact |
| anyone, especially if your neighbors are new to | | | | information of some of the better agents you |
| the area. Asking around will key you in to some | | | | meet. Then, sit down and choose 3 or 4 agents |
| of the better real estate agents around and which | | | | you like and start analyzing. Think about which |
| ones to avoid. | | | | one will get you the best price for your home |
| Step 2 - Go to Open Houses | | | | and, most importantly, work with and help you |
| This might seem a bit strange, but if you want to | | | | throughout the entire process. Some agents can |
| find an agent that knows your area, you should | | | | get top-dollar for your home but are very difficult |
| go to open houses in your neighborhood. Even if | | | | to work with on other areas of the deal (i.e. |
| you don't want to stay in that neighborhood, a | | | | completing paperwork, escrow, etc.). If you can't |
| local real estate agent is the way to go. Local | | | | decide on an agent, call you top choices and set |
| agents know how much you can get for your | | | | up an interview. Have them bring their resume |
| home based on your neighborhood and the | | | | and proof that they're a licensed real estate |
| condition of your home, and can provide you with | | | | agent. Most agents will be willing to sit down with |
| insight an out-of-area agent can't. So, visit a few | | | | you and give you their sales pitch. If they aren't, |
| local open houses and talk to the agents hosting | | | | then it's obvious they aren't willing to dedicate |
| them. If they aren't able to take on any addition | | | | themselves to helping you with selling your home. |
| sellers at the moment, they might be able to | | | | Selling your home is a big event. The home selling |
| refer you to a fellow agent that knows the area | | | | process is a large undertaking that requires the |
| and can help you get the best price for your | | | | expertise of a real estate agent. So if you're |
| home. | | | | thinking about selling your home, don't go it alone. |
| Step 3 - Choose a Reputable Real Estate Office | | | | Use the steps above and find a reputable, reliable, |
| Real estate agents work out of real estate | | | | and helpful real estate agent. |