Hiring a Realtor

Deciding which real estate Associate or broker to assist you in the purchase or sale of your home is something that should be considered carefully. You will want to begin by looking for a Realtor®. A Realtor® is an agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of Realtors®, also referred to as NAR.

The National Association offers numerous training sessions and holds it members to a strict code of ethics. Realtors® are also members of their local Board of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service which is a source of listing information on most of the homes for sale in the area.

A strong presence in the market is a must when you are selecting someone to assist you in your real estate transaction. You should expect your Realtor® to be familiar with the market around you and be respected among his or her peers. You should also be careful to choose an agent who is a full-time Realtor®, relying on his or her real estate business to make a living.

Ask for testimonials. References from past customers and clients are a good indication of professionalism.

Choose a Realtors® who does homework! Your agent should have tax data, the price paid for the property in question, and current property taxes as well as knowledge of what factors currently effect values of property in your area.

Choose a Realtor® who has a strong Internet presence. This is not only important in marketing a home, it's also important in making your home purchase a convenient transaction for you. Communicating with your Realtor® via email can be much easier than by telephone.

If you are selling your home, your Realtor® should present a written marketing plan spelling out exactly what steps will be taken to sell your home. This plan would normally include examples of ads, where and how frequently they will be run. Also important is handling showings and feedback to you from any appointments.