What Does a Realtor Do?

Realtor (real estate agents) provide clients with details about property for sale or lease and assist in the negotiation of real estate transactions. They prepare legal documents and ensure the buyer or seller meets all requirements for a transaction to take place.

Should I use the same agent as the seller?

When a homeowner decides to sell their home, they hire a real estate agent to help them list the house and show it to prospective buyers. The agent helps the homeowner price the home, determine what repairs or upgrades are needed and how much to list it for.

They also advise the homeowner about how to make a profit by selling their home. The real estate agent will market the home to potential buyers and negotiate with other real estate agents on behalf of the seller.

A real estate agent is licensed in a state and must complete a course of study, pass the state licensing exam, and complete continuing education to maintain their license. The number of hours required to obtain a license varies from state to state, but it is common for states to require between 40 and 100 hours of classes in the pre-licensing period.

Buying and selling a home can be complicated, especially if it is your first time. A good real estate agent can make the process easier by ensuring you understand every step of the transaction and answering your questions.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has a Code of Ethics & Professional Standards that guides members on fair and honest behavior, conflicts of interest and other issues. These ethics and standards are updated annually to keep them up to date with current practices in the real estate industry.