Selling your home is a huge transaction. You want to be sure that you have the perfect Realtor.

You may be wondering if you need a Realtor at all. There are a lot of people that are able to successfully sell their homes without having an agent. What should you consider when making the decision to sell with or without a Realtor?

Simply look at the time. If you have plenty of time to sell your home, you could save a little money by simply selling it yourself. This will give you more of the equity from your home to use for your next down payment. If you decide to sell on your own, make sure that you do plenty of research and have a contract that thoroughly addresses every detail.

If you are in a hurry to sell you may need to have a Realtor help you. You may have already found your dream home or perhaps you are moving due to a job change, either way, you need to get your home sold. The right Realtor will help you effectively market the property.

Like finding the perfect mortgage, you should shop around for an agent. Don't just jump on the first agent you meet. Always interview several agents who work in the neighborhood before you decide on who to book with.

You should ask:

-Why are they an agent? What is their background?
-How long have they been selling homes in the area?
-How many homes have they sold?
-On average, how long do their listings stay on the market?
-What type of home do they specialize in?
-How many homes do they represent at one time?
-Where do they market the homes?
-How will they get your home sold quickly?
-Do they advertise in real estate magazines, on TV or radio, or in newspapers?
-Are they a member of the state and national Realtor Associations?
-What is the commission percentage they will accept?
-Will they refund part of their commission if you also use them to purchase your next home?

In addition, ask for the names and addresses of satisfied customers. Check with friends and family for advice on the realtors you are looking at. Beware of agents that have drastically low commissions and list a lot of properties, but sell few.

Ask the agent if you can sign a contract that gives you the ability to cancel the contract if you aren't happy with the progress after a predetermined amount of time. If they refuse, ask if you can list for three months, instead of a year.

It isn't normally recommended that you list any property with one agent for an entire year. If you do and see no results, you are stuck for a year.

Keep in mind that you are hiring the agent. You can find one that has great credentials and is flexible with listing time.

Good luck with finding the perfect real estate agent. Remember that you are in control. All you need to do is ask questions and take your time. Don't list with the first agent to come along. If you find the right agent, you will sell your home faster and have a better experience.