Choosing a Realtor to help you sell your home is not something that should be left to chance. The Realtor you work with will help you sell perhaps the biggest asset you will ever own. It is something that should not be taken lightly. What follows are some suggestions on things that you might want to consider when making your choice.

First and foremost, Realtors do not set purchase prices, buyers do. Do not select a Realtor just because his/her suggested listing price is higher than someone else's (that's called "buying a listing".) Buyers and their Realtors will do just as much research on home values as your Realtor will, so if you really want to sell, select a Realtor who has given you a realistic value on your home.

Make sure that your potential Realtor possesses a real estate license in good standing, and is a member of the Multiple Listing Service. Additionally, he/she should give you a thorough explanation of agency relationships, so that you fully understand whom your Realtor represents in any given transaction.

Make sure you feel comfortable working with your Realtor. The process of selling a home can take up to three months or more, and there will be lots of communication back and forth. If you wind up with someone you aren't comfortable with, it could be a very long three months.

Ask your potential Realtor what preliminary research he/she has done on homes that have recently sold in the area, so that you get some idea of your home's value. Ask for data on homes that did not sell, along with reasons why a sale did not occur. Ask about the number of homes that are listed in your price range. Remember, if there are lots of homes listed in your price range, and not a lot of people looking to buy, your home may sit on the market for a while if is incorrectly priced.

Finally, if your Realtor is employing all of the promised advertising and other marketing strategies, be prepared to adjust your sales price if your home is not receiving many showings. Avoid letting your house become “stale” on the market, because once that happens, the number of showings will drop, and other more realistically priced homes will receive more attention.

If you work closely with your Realtor, and follow the advice offered, your home selling efforts should go smoothly.

The information presented here is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as tax, legal, or investment advice. Individual cases are all different, so this information should be used only in conjunction with the appropriate professional advice.