The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, and the local associations that subscribe to the Association's strict code of ethics. This code, in many cases, goes beyond requirements of state law. New York State Association of REALTORS ®,(NYSAR).

When agents and brokers become REALTORS®, they have access to and share information regarding homes they are marketing, through the Mulitple Listing Service (MLS). This is a computer database service listing all the properties available in the county, along with their characteristics, features, locations, who is listing and prices involved. All who have access are able to show any home in the service, not just the ones for which they have a personal listing.

What a REALTOR® Will Do For You

* Walk through the process of selling your home from beginning to end.
* Provide comparable information about the prices for which other properties have sold and analyzing data for you to gain a true comparison.
* Supply information regarding local cutoms and regulations you may want to consider. Share information about your home through the MLS and on the internet.
* Place advertisements for your home and field phone calls.
* "Qualify" potential buyers to make sure they would be financially able to buy your property.
* Negotiate the sales contract. Alert you to potential risks.
* Comply with the disclosures required by law.
* Provide you with an estimate of closing costs you will incur and help you prepare for a smooth closing of the transaction.

The Top Five Things You Should Know

* Look for an agent who is a member of the local board or association of REALTORS®.
* Agents should explain and disclose their roles and who they represent at the first serious contact.
* The agent should advise you on how to prepare your home for the market.
* Be sure the professional shows enthusiasm, listens well, instills confidence and has a personaality that is complementary to yours.
* The agent should research your property and provide data on nearby homes that have or have not sold recently.

Is "For Sale By Owner" For You?

Selling or buying on your own is not an easy task. It requires a significant amount of time to study the process, understand the legal obligations and to do some of the complicated work that an agent or broker does. By working with a REALTOR®, you have a professional on your side who has access to the largest number of listings, or access to the largest number of available buyers, through the MLS. A REALTOR®, is committed to serving you throughout the real estate process.

Evaluate Your Listing Agent

Once you have decided to use a REALTOR® for your transaction, you need to begin to search for the one who best fits your needs. Two or three presentations by different REALTORS® should give you an opportunity to choose one who fits with your personality, one in whom you"ll have a good measure of confidence.

A listing presentation should include the reasons that you should list your home for sale with them. The agent or broker should explain their role in the selling process.

Ask Your REALTOR®

* Will your home be listed in the MLS?
* If your REALTOR® cooperates with buyer's brokers, what portion of the commission will your agent or broker share with a cooperating broker if they find a buyer for your home?
* What types of advertisements will be placed for your home in the local media or on the internet? Some types of homes may even be advertised on a regional or national basis.
* How will they field calls about your home and qualify potential buyers to make sure that are financially able to purchase your property.
* What disclosures should you be making in order to comply with New York state law?
* If home inspections reveal items that need to be taken care of before closing, or if situations arise that need the expertise of an attorney or an accountant, will your REALTOR® have access to trusted professionals?
* In Addition, be sure your REALTOR®, provides you with an estimate of closing costs and helps you prepare for a smooth closing of the transaction.