The options for selling a home have increased, but having a real estate agent eliminates the work you need to do to sell the property. An article on MSN gives some tips for finding a real estate agent, as not all agents are equal. Some, as the author found out, will end up charging you more money and will price the house higher. Others may have a better idea of the neighborhood’s market. Before you find an agent, do some research. Some of the points for this mentioned in the article include:

• Going to open houses to learn about various local agents. This also helps you get a better picture of what homeowners and agents are charging for selling prices.
• Which local agents have sold a large portion of real estate in your neighborhood?

After you’ve found some potential real estate agents, interview them to see if their intentions align with yours. Ask them about:

• Their approach and method to marketing efforts.
• Do they have any client references?
• Can they refer you to home inspectors for a full examination of the property?
• Will they let you out of an agreement if you’re not happy with services?
• What should I, as the current homeowner, do to make the property more marketable?

The MSN article suggests the approach to finding an agent is much like that of a job interview. Additionally, the article also mentions about selling the home yourself. Although you’ll be responsible for the marketing efforts alone, you can list the home yourself for $300 to $500 in MLS. If you do plan to use an agent, the point the author makes is to never go by personal reference. All homes are different, not all agents are as knowledgeable about each neighborhood, and finding someone who can meet the needs of your home is the most important factor.

Tags: finding a real estate agent, questions for real estate agent, real estate agent