Choosing a REALTOR

Choose your agent with care, as you would a lawyer or doctor. Talk with friends, neighbors and co-workers who have recently bought or sold a home in the area. What kind of service did they receive? Would they select the same broker or company again?

Attend an open house to observe sales associates in action and judge their expertise. Were you shown the home in a professional manner? How familiar were the sales associates with the property?

Focus on real estate companies that specialize in residential sales. Look for posted "sold" signs. A company with a successful track record warrants consideration.

Read the real estate section of your newspaper and look online for listings of homes in the same price category as yours. This will allow you to identify companies that market homes similar to yours, and see how your home stacks up against the competition.

Target companies located in your area of the community. They are more likely to be familiar with the area schools, businesses and places of worship -- precisely the type of information that likely will be sought by prospective buyers.

Once you have narrowed your selection of potential listing companies to five or less, contact each for an interview. Look for the sales professional who takes copious notes on decorating, construction, landscaping and any personal property to convey with your home.

The following questions may be helpful in selecting a broker or agent:

Have long have you been licensed?

How long have you actively worked in the area?

How many home sales have you closed in the last three months?

Do you work full-time as a real estate professional?

Can you give me names of three references whose homes you've recently sold?

How will you work to actively seek buyers for my home?

Will you participate in a cooperative listing service?

Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors?

Have you earned any specialty professional real estate designations?

What professional courses or training sessions have you recently attended?

The size of a company, as well as its status as a franchise, independent firm or conglomerate, are all variables you should consider. However, your choice generally will be a matter of personal preference. Each variable has certain advantages to offer, but the reputation of a particular company is based on the knowledge, competence and professionalism of the individuals who work there.