Guide to Realtors

Find a real estate professional to help with property buying and selling needs

By LaRita Heet, Freelance Writer, Journalist, IBT Designer, LMH Communications

1. Real estate agents and brokers must be licensed by the state to collect money from representing another person in a real estate transaction.
2. Find a real estate agent to take most of the responsibility and time commitment of home buying/selling off your shoulders.
3. Real estate referral websites offer a way to screen real estate agents and brokers before you choose one.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get customer real estate referrals to locate the top real estate agents and brokers

One popular way of finding a real estate agent is through the real estate referrals from other customers. Go through a real estate referral website, and/or ask the real estate broker for a list of references you can contact to learn more about your realtor-to-be.

I recommend: Homethinking is a real estate referral website that helps you select a real estate broker or agent by showing you what he or she has done in the past - and more importantly, what his clients and customers have said about the job he did.

Find your realtor through well-reputed home realtor companies

Real estate agents and brokers vary greatly depending on the realtor companies with which they're associated, their skills, and dedication to the job.

I recommend: Visit RE/MAX to locate residential or commercial real estate agents and brokers throughout the world.

Work with a member of the National Association of REALTORS

A Realtor is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the world's largest professional association. A real estate professional who is NOT a member of NAR may not refer to him/herself as 'Realtor,' but rather as a real estate professional, real estate broker, or real estate agent.

I recommend: To find a local member of the National Association of REALTORS, you can search commercial or home Realtors by city, state, ZIP code, or Realtor professional designations.

Find a real estate agent for your business needs

Whether you're looking for the best real estate agent for your home or business needs, there are real estate professionals who specialize in your real estate needs.

I recommend: Well-known real estate giant, Prudential, works with businesses to help fulfill their commercial property needs, or with employee relocation services.

Choose real estate referral websites for local home realtor referrals

There's no substitute for a real estate agent who knows about, works in, and lives in the community where you're looking to buy/sell.

I recommend: Hire a real estate professional in your area at LocalRealty.com. Submit your real estate needs information to 121 Ltd., and they'll forward your request to a local real estate agent, who will provide you with 'no-obligation' information. 

Evaluate real estate agents and brokers through other agents

Don't be fooled into thinking that 'top producer' real estate agents (AKA top sellers) are the best realtors out there. Ask other realtors for referrals to the real estate professionals who will offer you a customer-centric experience.

I recommend: Most Referred is a network of peer-selected real estate agents who cannot pay to join the service, unlike many other real estate agent websites or prescreening referral services.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In some states - or within some home realtors' listing agreements - the realtor is entitled to a commission even if you show/sell the home to a buyer you found on your own, if the listing agreement is still in effect.
• •  Find a home realtor who is well-versed in financial matters, including specialized loan products.
• •  There are a variety of seller's listing agreements out there, so be sure you understand your choices before signing anything.
• •  Look for a real estate agent or real estate broker whose schedule allows him/her the flexibility to meet with you after work, on weekends, or at whatever time is good for you.
• •  By law, the real estate agent's commission must be negotiable (between the realtor and client).
• •  Real estate professionals most often charge their commission as a percentage of the purchase amount of the property.