How to find the right Realtor for you

One of the most important steps in selling your home is to find the right Realtor. Use these tips to help find the right person to sell your home.

Ask around: Ask your neighbors, friends and relatives if they know of a good Realtor. You can also go to websites such as the National Association of Realtors or the Council of Residential Specialists to search for agents in your area.

Find someone in-the-know: Find a Realtor who knows your neighborhood and is passionate about it. Also make sure this person is committed to selling your house and will put energy into it.

Make sure he or she has an assistant: You need a Realtor who is available to help you and who can put in the time to get your home sold. While you need access to the Realtor and don’t always want to have to go through an assistant, the Realtor should have a support team who can get your home posted online, on other outlets and who can bring in potential buyers.

Inquire about a contract: Before you sign a contract with a Realtor, make sure you look at how long the contract is for. About three to six months is the length of a typical contract. Agents may request a longer contract in a slow market or for high-end homes.