When is the best time to buy or sell a home?
There is no single “perfect” time that applies to everyone. Market conditions, interest rates, inventory levels, and personal circumstances all play a role. A local agent can help you understand current trends and determine the best timing based on your specific goals.
What should I look for when choosing a real estate agent?
Beyond personality, look for an agent with strong local market knowledge, proven experience, clear communication, and a strategy tailored to your needs. Ask about pricing approach, marketing plans, negotiation style, and availability.
The right agent should act as an advisor and advocate—not just someone who opens doors or lists properties.
Should I buy a home before selling my current one?
This depends on your financial situation, market conditions, and personal timeline. In some cases, buying first allows for a smoother transition, while in others it may create unnecessary financial pressure.
A real estate professional can help you evaluate timing, financing options, and contingency strategies so you can make an informed decision based on your goals.
What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and why is it important?
The MLS is a private database used by licensed real estate professionals to share accurate, up-to-date property information. When a home is listed in the MLS, it is exposed to thousands of agents and buyers and is automatically syndicated to many major real estate websites.
The MLS remains the most powerful tool for marketing a property and ensuring maximum exposure.
How do I know what my home is really worth?
A home’s value is determined by current market conditions, recent comparable sales, location, condition, and buyer demand—not just online estimates. A professional market analysis prepared by a local real estate agent provides a more accurate and realistic pricing range.
Online valuation tools can be a helpful starting point, but they do not account for upgrades, condition, neighborhood trends, or buyer behavior in your specific market.
Do I really need a real estate agent to buy a home?
While it is possible to buy a home without an agent, doing so means representing yourself in a complex legal and financial transaction. A buyer’s agent helps you analyze pricing, identify potential issues, negotiate favorable terms, and navigate inspections, appraisals, and deadlines.
An experienced agent protects your interests, helps you avoid costly mistakes, and often saves you time and money—especially in competitive or unfamiliar markets.
How much does it cost to use a real estate agent?
A seller listing their home with a licensed Realtor will sign a listing agreement and negotiate the compensation they are willing to give to their Realtor. The seller will also consider compensation to share with a buyer’s Broker. A buyer who uses a Realtor will sign a buyer’s brokerage agreement and may negotiate a compensation for their agent. Commissions are not set by law and are always negotiable.
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?
Most states require real estate sales professionals to be licensed by the state, so that they can control education and experience requirements and have a central authority to resolve consumer problems.
The terminology used to identify real estate professionals varies a little from state to state. Brokers are generally required to have more education and experience than real estate salespersons or agents.
The person you normally deal with is a real estate agent or salesperson. The salesperson is licensed by the state, but must work for a broker. All listings are placed in the broker’s name, not the salesperson’s.
A broker can deal directly with home buyers and sellers, or can have a staff of salespersons or agents working for him or her.
Why should I use a real estate salesperson?
Using a realtor provides expert guidance, negotiation skills & market knowledge for buying or selling a home, saving you time and preventing costly mistakes through complex paperwork, access to wider listings (MLS), and objective advice, all while adhering to a strict Code of Ethics that protects your interests. They act as your advocate, navigate bidding wars, connect you with professionals, and handle the emotional and logistical challenges, ensuring a smoother transaction.
I have a family friend who is a Realtor. I like her and she is a help but she gives me one price to sell my home for and I think it is too low. So I called another agent who suggested a price more in line with my expectations. Who do I choose?
You might want to consult a couple more Realtors on the market value of your home. Most of the estimates should be in the same ballpark.
It could be that your friend is being more honest with you about the value of your home and the other Realtor gave you a higher number because he already knew you expected it. This is called “Buying a Listing” and is the subject of an article on our web site.
Or it could simply be that your friend is a good friend, but not that great of a real estate agent.
Mixing business and friendships is always risky to the friendship. On the other hand, if your friend is truly competent and was providing wise advice, she may be offended if you ignore the advice and choose another agent.