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If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be considering using the services of a real estate broker or agent. But before you sign a listing agreement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency that works for a competitive marketplace, wants you to be
informed about your choices.

Real estate BRokeRs and agents
Before you hire a real estate professional, it’s important to know the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate agent. Real estate brokers are licensed professionals who assist sellers and prospective buyers of homes. Real estate agents are licensed professionals who work  under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the sale or purchase of the property.

Real estate brokers and agents earn commissions  from the services they provide. The services and  the commission due to a broker working with a  home seller are set out in the listing agreement  that the broker and seller sign. Brokers generally  list your home on the Multiple Listing Service  (MLS), a clearinghouse that member real estate  brokers and agents use to exchange and update  information on property listings, and to connect  with other brokers or agents working with  prospective buyers. To have a home listed on  the MLS, a home seller usually agrees to offer a  share of the total commission to a second broker  who finds a buyer for the property. Traditional, full-service real estate brokers  working with sellers provide a broad range  of services, including helping prepare the  property for sale, recommending an asking  price, publicizing the home to prospective  buyers, arranging meetings and negotiating  with prospective buyers, following up on home  inspections and other matters once a sales contract  is signed, and arranging for the closing of the  transaction. A broker also may help by referring  the home seller to other service providers,  like mortgage lenders, title companies, home  inspectors, and real estate attorneys, which could  make the difference between success and failure  in closing a sale. That said, remember that you  are not locked into the service providers they  recommend.  Non-traditional real estate brokers often offer  many of the same services as full-service  brokers, but on an a la carte basis, at a reduced  commission rate, or for a flat fee. You may be  able to pick and pay for only the services you  want. If you choose more limited services, it  means that you may have to do more of the work  yourself to help sell your home. For example,  some non-traditional brokers offer an MLS-only  package, which includes listing the property on the local MLS for a flat fee: you would  be responsible for every other aspect of the  transaction, like advertising, running open houses,  negotiating with buyers, and coordinating the  closing. HiRing a Real estate BRokeR Finding a broker whom you’re comfortable with  may take a little time. Ask friends, co-workers,  and neighbors who have sold houses in the recent  past for recommendations. You also can see  who’s selling property in your area by checking  lawn signs and ads. Interview several real estate brokers/agents  to learn about their experience, track record,  style, and market knowledge. Expect a broker  to be professional: to return phone calls, to be  organized, and to communicate clearly. Here are some questions to ask to help you find  the best real estate broker for you:  • How many homes did you sell in the past  year? Finding out what types of properties,  how many units, and where brokers have  sold can help determine how efficiently  they’re operating and how much experience