The first thing any home owner must realize as they are entering the buying and selling market for real estate, is that not all individuals who are licensed to sell real estate are not realtors. Each state in the union has their own individual requirements or minimum standards that any individual wishing to work in real estate must meet. These requirements often deal with their education, training, experience, and knowledge of the field. After the person is licensed by the state to sell real estate, then they can choose to go on and become a member of The National Association of Realtors. In order to join the National Association of Realtors, the licensed real estate agent will have to meet a higher set of standards, take on additional training, and have a higher code of conduct or rules they follow as they sell real estate.

Needless to say, when moving into the real estate market as a buyer or a seller, it is almost never a wise decision to hire an agent who is not a member of the National Association of Realtors. So, in review, the only people who can call themselves a realtor is someone who does belong to the organization. From a seller’s perspective, hiring a realtor is the only way to go. The hardest part about selling a home on one’s own is marketing the home. Realtors have a web service available only to them called a MLS or Multiple Listing Service. A seller’s realtor will list the home on this service enabling agents representing buyers to come and view the home knowing more about it given the fact the home is listed on the multiple listing service.

Realtors are bound by a relatively strict code of conduct. They are pretty much contracted to obey the rules of the NAP when they become a member. A realtor will always put the interest of their client first. A realtor will also keep everything confidential, keep a strict client confidentiality code. A realtor will also obey all lawful instructions given them by their client. And any money transaction the realtor makes or important or pertinent information the realtor finds out about they are obligated to let their client know. State licensing also has been involved more and more in improving the rules and conditions required just to get the minimum license which is good. These rules are important given the many interactions that take place between a realtor and their client. For example, if the realtor talks to their client the seller who tells them exactly how low they will be willing to go on their house, the realtor cannot go to the buyer who has a under the table relationship with the realtor and tell the buyer what to offer.

Picking the right realtor is critical. First make sure the realtor belongs to a MLS. Second, it would be a poor decision to hire a realtor who is not a full time realtor. A seller is going to need their realtor to be experienced and up to speed with everything in the community. Also the seller does not want the realtor to be more focused on other projects. Lastly, make sure right away that the realtor represents the seller. If the realtor represents the buyer, then there loyalty and confidentiality agreements will be to the buyer which is bad.

Author Bio: Juhlin Youlien writes about Paradise Valley AZ homes for sale and Fountain Hills Az homes for sale.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: homes for sale, real estate, buying a home, selling a home, loan, mortgage, foreclosurehomes for sal