Your best bet is to go with a real estate agent who is familiar with your area or comes highly recommended by friends or family. This is how I would structure the deal. First ask them how much they think your house is worth and what comps they used for that number. Then ask them if they are willing to do a 5% commission deal where they would get 1% as the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent gets 4%. If they want to earn the 5%, let them find the buyers then.

Good Luck!

Regards
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It isn’t really the company that is important, but the Realtor that you choose. Each franchise is independantly owned and operated, so if someone had a good experience here with my franchise, it could be very different in your neck of the woods.

Ask friends and family for recommendations. There are advantages and disadvantages to working with various types of agents. Some people will suggest that you go with the Realtor that closes the most transactions in your area. Some will tell you to go with the one that promotes themselves the most (the one you see on the billboards and shopping carts).

I suggest you go to a few open houses. Talk to the agents, see who you think is doing a good job selling that house, or who follows up with you. If you dont have time for that, interview a few agents. Get someone who works for you and one that you can build a good rapport with.

Good luck!
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Oregon Realtor

Listing your home on a multiple listing servce (MLS) (where realtors check daily for new listings for their buyers)

Holding special open houses for other agents who represent buyers

running ads on a local and national level

Holding Open Houses

Negotiating a good price on your behalf

Helping you set a realistic price for your property.

Fill out and track all forms and legal information regarding the transaction

Since this is one of the largest financial transactions you will make – it doesn’t hurt to get assistance, I enjoy working for Century 21 and have had great success with my clients.

However, consider your search for your agent like a job interview – ask the agent what their specific plan is to sell your property (I usually provide a marketing plan to my clients) – and always remember – ask those around you who have bought homes if they were happy with their agents- most of all feel comfortable with whichever agent you chose.

Keep in mind not to pick an agent who just tells you want you want to hear- it’s important that there is open communication between the both of you. You should never get offended if a realtor gives you a pricing of your home you don’t agree with – you have the right to ask why. In today’s market what your home should be worth, and what it will actually sell for are two different numbers – make sure you feel secure that you have all the information from your agent, and if you don’t feel like that – GET OUT!

Good Luck!!

Maresa
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But i would suggest that you talk to friends, family other local people about Realtors and their recomandations. The commissions are pretty much the same does not matter which company you pick. (beside the "flat fee" companies or course, here you need to ask what kind of service they are offering and what extra costs for you are involved for certain services).
You need to feel comfortable with the Realtor and the Realtor with you.
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Meanwhile, because this is how realtors make a living and it IS so difficult out there, you may be hard pressed to find someone who won’t bend the rules a bit to get your listing. Take your time, interview different agents from different companies if you are not comfortable trying to sell it on your own (For Sale By Owner is a popular site as well as Assist2Sell). Regardless of the agency you choose, it is Vital that you feel 100% comfortable with the PERSON you are working with. They must commit to working for You, have your interests and needs in mind first. They must know the neighborhood and how to market there. Remember, as realtors have information the general public doesn’t, you want to make sure they’re truly on your side and want you to get the very best deal possible instead of just wanting to make that sale.

Ask friends, community members or family, if local. Ask for references. Look around your neighborhood at other houses that are for sale. Keep track of who the fast sellers are listed by and talk to those owners if possible. Ask what it was they felt made the difference about their realtor and would they recommend them.

I hope this was helpful & I wish you LOTS of luck!
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LifeLessonsLearned

This is just one important reason. Ask a Realtor and no doubt they’ll give you a plethora of solid reasons too.

Probably the best way to choose is to call the desk of one of the big operators such as Coldwell Banker RE, Inc (make sure it has the RE, Inc after it, the other C B offices are stand alone Franchise) and first ask how many agents work at that office. If there’s more than 25, ask to speak to the Broker and say you want help in choosing an agent but, you don’t want a Rookie. Ask for someone who has at least 5-10 years under there belt and that you can’t pay more than 5% commission.

If they say they can’t help, call the next big name on your list. Why only the big ones. Well, they are usually the best resourced, attract the best agents, list the best homes, etc, etc.

Of course having written this you’ll receive a barrage of the smaller firms protesting and, in fairness to them, many, many of these guys can provide just as good a service but, that needs good local knowledge and you wouldn’t be asking your question if you already had the answer as to who’s the best.

Once you’ve been introduced to your prospective Realtor, interview them. Ask them as many questions you feel is relevant to you and your sale.

Ask them to provide testimonials as to their expertise and knowledge. And generally see if you think you both trust each other and whether you can work together. Afterall, people seem to be forgetting house buying & selling is the next most stressful item next to Divorce for anyone.

Good luck!!!
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20+ years property investing

there are a lot of reputable name out there but like in everything they are bad agents who serve them.

I suggest interviewing several agents and go with the one that your gut tells you. You should look though for terms in contract like if you want to fire the realtor what are the terms? Do you pay a fee or are you locked for the months that the contract is spelling out. I suggest you look for a contract where you can get out when you want without a penalty. Then look for what type of marketing they offer, how well they know the market in your area, how they price your home, what kind of techniques they use in this slow market. Pricing it at a high price may keep your home on the market for a long time and the first 2 weeks are very important when a house is put on the market.
Also, if you want to purchase another home after you sell yours, you can negotiate the commision saying: I will buy my next home with you so how much can you lower you commision?
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