Real estate agents are the backbone of any housing market. They help people buy and sell homes, educate their clients about current conditions in a given area (such as mortgage lending), guide them through each step of this process while making sure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish; then they can refer you or others who may be interested on what else needs done after closing!
Realtors are licensed agents who have signed onto the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics and Standards. All real estate professionals must be in compliance with state laws, which can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. There is no such thing as an "independent" or non-affiliated agent - all brokers/reporters need either a broker license (for those working on commission) or salesperson certificate if they're self employed.
When you're looking for a real estate agent, it's important that they represent your best interests and not just those of one side in the transaction. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to finding an excellent person who can help with this task!
Have you ever considered the fact that some real estate commissions are actually negotiable? A typical commission is 5% or 6%. As an agent looking for work in this competitive industry though, try not miss out on any opportunities by doing your research first!
Here are some things to think about when choosing an agent to help you sell a home.