The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the
Realtor you choose. Some points to consider:
Find someone you feel
comfortable with. If you don't feel you can ask questions or go to your
Realtor, you have the wrong Realtor.
Your Realtor should show you
research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about
recent sales, current listings and recent expired listings in your
neighborhood.
Choose a local Realtor. He or she will know your area
better than an outsider, will be seen as a source for people looking to
relocate in your neighborhood, and will get better co-operation from other
agents. It is likely that any amount you might save by having a friend or
relative from outside the area serve as your Realtor, will be lost in
their lack of knowledge about the very specific local market. Ask for
references from the Realtor. He or she should be willing to give you names
of previous clients.
Ask your friends and acquaintances for
recommendations, but make your final choice based on your needs.
Ask
the Realtor to show you what will be done to market your home. Consider
the office and company support available to him or her as well as the
initiative and professionalism shown by the individual.
Look for a
Realtor who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market,
and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the
listing, but it doesn't sell the home!