Ready to sell your home? Choose the right agent with this advice

Summer Mandell | Consumer columnist

Dec. 12, 2012

Selling your home is a different experience than when you purchased your property. The first important step to put your house up for sale is finding a real estate agent who will be the best fit for your needs. Here are questions you might want to consider when choosing a seller’s agent:

Is the agent licensed? In Texas, someone must be licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) as a salesperson and sponsored by an established broker before acting as a real estate agent.

Will you choose a Texas REALTOR®? A Texas REALTOR® is someone who, after earning a real estate license, chooses to join her local association of REALTORS®, the state-level association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®. Membership means Texas REALTORS® adhere to NAR’s consumer-oriented Code of Ethics to protect their clients’ interests. Members also have exclusive access to more than 100 forms that have been created for many special real estate situations. Non-members don’t have access to these documents.

What kind of selling experience are you looking for? Consider what’s really important to you while selling your home. Questions you might want answered about the selling experience include:

Are you looking for someone who has made a sale (or several) in your neighborhood before?
What will the marketing plan entail?
How often do you want your agent to communicate with you? In what ways do you want him to communicate?
If you are buying a home at the same time you’re selling your home, how will your agent help you coordinate these processes? Or if you’re moving across the state, can your agent give you a referral?

A good place to start searching for a seller’s agent is on the Find a Texas REALTOR® tool on this website, where you can also learn more about the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and working with a Texas REALTOR®.

The most important aspect of choosing an agent is finding someone who can help you with your specific situation. These questions are just a starting point while you take into account other issues you’re facing and determine what else to ask of a potential agent.

Whatever you ask, remember that putting the time into selecting the right agent for you will result in a better home-selling process.

More by Summer Mandell The most important advice from an experienced homeowner What it takes to really become a Texan 5 tips for finding the right movers How I moved to Texas without breaking the bank … or breaking down

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