All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the "REALTOR®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Using a REALTOR®

You Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!

In selling your home, a REALTOR® will:

• Compile information about your home that may include the home's size, type of heating/cooling, schools, and community information, etc.

• Use comparable sales in your area so the right price can be set to sell your home.

• Coordinate and pay for the advertising and marketing of your home, including placing your home in our regional multiple listing service, its public site on the Internet, and REALTOR.COM TM.

• Screen prospective buyers so that only qualified, serious buyers go through your home.

• Free you from showing your home by handling phone inquiries, appointments, and showings.

• Maintain objectivity in the Present offers and advise you on aspects of the sales contract, and negotiate for a better price.

• Write offers, escrow the buyers' deposit and handle the other documents necessary to bring the home to a successful closing.

• Explain the closing procedure to you.

• Accompany you or attend the closing for you.

If you are wanting to buy a home, the REALTOR® will:

• Help you determine how much home you can realistically afford.

• Suggest ways you can make a down payment and/or suggest alternate methods of financing a home.

• Assist you in the qualifying and processing of your loan.

• Familiarize you with local costs such as real estate values, taxes, utilities, and municipal services.

• Search a multiple listing service, even if you are relocating to another area, and narrow your search according to your needs, wants, and ability to buy.

• Suggest ways a home can be made more suitable for you and improve its value and functionality.

• Successfully negotiate and write offers to purchase your home which will be satisfactory to both you and the seller.

• Familiarize you with the closing process and attend the closing with you.

Using a REALTOR® in the home buying or home selling process is a sound investment that will save you time, money, and frustration. You should be secure in your knowledge that a REALTOR® will legally represent you and act in your best interest, while adhering to the obligation of our Code of Ethics to treat everyone honestly. You should expect commitment, ethical behavior, and expertise from your REALTOR®.