Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Most Americans agree that when it comes to buying or selling a home, a transaction of this magnitude requires the guidance of a professional. In fact, nearly four out of five homebuyers and sellers enlist the help of a real estate agent and/or broker (The 2000 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers).

Contrary to popular belief, not every real estate agent is a "REALTOR¨. "REALTORS¨ are real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. All PURE agents are "REALTORS".

Whether you're buying or selling a home, you'll want to choose a professional who meets your professional needs and has a personal style that agrees with your own. Here are some tips for finding a real estate agent.

Call a Prudential Utah Real Estate office and ask to speak with an agent. Here are some questions that are appropriate to ask when deciding to work with an agent.

• Do you work full time or part time?
  
• How long have you been selling homes in this area?
  
• Are you familiar with the areas I'm considering?
  
• What type of homes do you usually handle?
  
• What percentage of your business comes from referrals and repeat clients?
  
• How many sales have you closed?
  
• How many homes did you sell last year?
  
• What percentage of your listings sold during the listing period?
  
• Did they sell close to the asking price?
  
• On average, how many days do homes stay on the market?
  
• Will you guide us as we prepare the house to be shown?
  
• Will we receive a copy of the marketing plan?
  
• How will you advertise our home? In what publications and when will ads run?
  
• Will you employ an Internet marketing program?
  
• When do you plan to hold open houses? How will you advertise an open house?
  
• Do you plan to do anything else to get the word out?
  
• How often can we expect to be updated, even if there's nothing to report?
  

Aim to select someone who is knowledgeable and with whom you feel comfortable. It almost ensures a productive and mutually rewarding relationship.