Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary depending on the asking price of the house, but it is generally five or six percent of a home’s selling price.

If you choose to handle your own sale, you’ll need to write and place ads, answer calls, perhaps have a sign made, show your home to strangers, and deal with the paperwork yourself. Sometimes buyers who know you are not paying a real estate commission will offer less for your home. Also, it will be difficult for you to know whether buyers are qualified, that is, whether or not they are really in a financial position to buy your house.

Licensed real estate professionals can offer valuable services, including:

• Helping you set a fair asking price for your home.
• Promoting your home to other agents.
• Listing your property with a multiple listing service. A multiple listing service is a computer database that provides subscribing real estate agents with access to listings across a large geographic area.
• Making suggestions to help make your home more "saleable."
• Creating, paying for, and placing advertising for your home.
• Scheduling appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there.
• Pre-qualifying potential buyers.
• Helping you negotiate with the buyer.
• Helping you understand the paperwork.

If you decide to use an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before choosing the one you want to work with. Walk through your home with an agent to get a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home, and ask them how they would price it. Don’t sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker’s commission prior to listing your home, and sign for the shortest period of time possible, usually three to six months. And, of course, make sure the agent you choose has a personality you feel comfortable working with.