Finding the right Realtor

If you're like most, buying or selling a house is one of your life's most important personal and financial decisions. Therefore, it makes sense to hire a skilled real estate professional to help you achieve your goals, says Kathleen Gallagher McIver, RE/MAX Town & Country Realty, chairman of the board of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

"A Realtor recognizes the importance of the transaction to the buyer and seller, and uses his or her skills to reach an agreement satisfactory to all parties involved," McIver said. "And unlike a real estate agent who has simply met the state's licensing requirements to do business in Florida, a Realtor takes the profession to the next level by voluntarily agreeing to abide by the Realtor Code of Ethics and by becoming a member of their local, state and national Realtor associations."

If you're not sure how to find a Realtor, a good online starting point is the website of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (www.orlRealtor.com). The website offers a search function for Realtors by name, company name, city, zip code and even foreign language. Consumer-oriented websites provided by the Florida Realtors organization (www.fl.living.net) and the My-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service (www.myfloridahomemls.com) both offer search functions for finding Realtors and properties.

Here's some other ideas for finding the right Realtor for you:

• Talk with friends, neighbors and co-workers who recently bought or sold a home in the area. What kind of service did they receive? Would they select the same Realtor or company again?

• Look for posted "for sale" or "sold" signs in your neighborhood. A Realtor or company that is active in your neighborhood, community or condo building warrants further consideration.

• Attend an open house and observe the Realtor in action, judging his or her expertise. Were you shown the home in a professional manner? How familiar was the agent with the property?

• If you're selling a home, ask if the Realtor and brokerage company are members of a national network or have international alliances that could potentially market your home to prospective buyers across the country or around the world.

When you've identified several potential Realtors, visit their websites and learn more about their backgrounds and experience. You could also send them an e-mail asking for information on how they've helped buyers or sellers.

Once you've narrowed your choice to two or three Realtors, ask each of them the questions such as:

*Can you give me the three names of references whose homes you've recently sold?

*How will you work to actively seek buyers for my home?

*Have you earned any specialty professional real estate designations?

Selecting a Realtor is usually based on an individual's knowledge, skills and personality, McIver said. "When you choose a Realtor, you can be assured you're selecting a solid, caring professional who will treat you honestly and work diligently on your behalf."

—Orlando Regional Realtor Association