Choosing the right REALTOR® is a crucial first step
in selling your home. In making this important decision you should understand:
Who is a REALTOR?
The terms agent, broker and REALTOR are often used interchangeably, but have
very different meanings. For example, not all agents (also called salespersons)
or brokers are REALTORS.
As a prerequisite to selling real estate, a
person must be licensed by the state of Illinois, either as an salesperson or as
a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education,
examinations and experience must be met. After receiving a real estate license,
most agents go on to join a local association of REALTORS and the National
Association of REALTORS (NAR). They can then call themselves REALTORS.
Metrotech Realty is a proud member of:
The term "REALTOR" is a registered
collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a
member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code
of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond Illinois state law). The REALTOR
shares information on the homes they are marketing, through a Multiple Listing
Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR who belongs to an MLS will give you access
to the greatest number of buyers for your home.
Using an Agent and the Obligations That are
Owed to You
An agent is bound by certain legal obligations. Traditionally, these common
obligations are to: Put the client's interests above anyone else's; keep the
client's information confidential; obey the client's lawful instructions; report
to the client anything that would be useful; and account to the client for any
money involved. NOTE: A REALTOR is held to an even higher standard of
conduct under the NAR’s Code of Ethics.
How to Evaluate an Agent
In making your decision to work with an agent, there are certain questions you
should ask when evaluating a potential agent. The first question you should ask
is whether the agent is a REALTOR. You should then ask:
-
Does the agent have an active real estate
license in good standing? (to find this information, you can check with the
Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate at 217-782-3414 )
-
Does the agent belong to the Multiple Listing
Service (MLS)? (Multiple Listing Services are cooperative information
networks of REALTORS that provide descriptions of most of the houses for
sale in a particular region.)
-
Is real estate their full-time career?
-
How many web sites will they use to advertise
your home?
-
In exchange for your listing, how will the
agent help you sell your home for the highest possible price?
Metrotech Realty maintains the highest standards
of professional conduct and can offer you a comprehensive marketing program
to sell your home. Click here to see our marketing
program.
