A real estate agent is an invaluable resource when it comes to selling a home. Unfortunately, choosing a real estate agent to sell your home may not be as simple as you think it should be. As with many other things in life, there’s more to choosing a real estate agent than meets the eye, and while you adore your sister-in-law, her Aunt Clara who sells real estate two towns over may not be the best real estate agent for you. Here’s what you need to know about choosing a real estate agent to sell your home.

Ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers for recommendations of real estate agents that they have used in the past, keeping in mind that the agent should be familiar with the neighborhood and city or town that you live in. Visit open houses to watch different real estate agents in action. If you see an agent that you are impressed with, mention that you’re thinking about putting our home on the market and would like to discuss it with her.

After you’ve obtained several referrals, set up an appointment to interview at least two or three agents face to face. However, before setting up any appointments make sure the agent is licensed to sell real estate. In order to sell real estate, an individual must be licensed and have taken real estate courses and passed an exam. By asking real estate agents the right questions, you should be able to choose the right agent to list your home with.

1. How long has the agent been working? Is she part-time or full time? Ask how many listings she’s handling. If she’s working part-time, make sure she is not handling more than one or two homes or your home may be lost in the shuffle.
2. How many houses has he sold in the last 90 days? Six months? Year?
3. What services are offered? The services a real estate agent provides are fairly standard, but while the basic process is the same, you will want reassurance that a marketing plan will be customized to meet your needs. Details should be specific, not vague.
4. Is the agent detail oriented or does she have an assistant who is? Details are important because overlooking details can result in delays or future legal action.
5. Is the agent a member of the Board of Realtors, which gives access to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS)? Access to the MLS means that more people (brokers and potential buyers) have access to your sale listing.

Above all, always ask for references and choose a broker that you feel comfortable with. If you’re high-maintenance and want to know what’s happening every step of the way, choose an agent that can accommodate this and provide the personalized service you need. If you’re a veteran house seller, you may be content to hire a no-nonsense person who gets the job done. In addition, the advice you get from the agent or broker should be realistic. Avoid brokers who say they can get top dollar for what you know is an average home.