When making the decision to sell your home, it is important to take advantage of every tool available.  Nine out of ten consumers have stated that they would never try to sell their home themselves and 75% of the rest wind up using agents anyway.  Bearing this in mind, it is important to understand the qualities of a good agent.

A strong agent knows the market, can prepare your property for sale, market it and get it sold for top dollar.  They will educate you, providing you with enough information to make clear, informed decisions.  They will not make these decisions for you.  They will also tell you when they think adding other experts (lawyers, inspectors, etc.) to your team is advisable.

The best way to find a good representative is to ask a friend for a referral.  Ask if the agent is trustworthy, assertive, made the transaction as convenient as possible and did what they said they were going to do.

Don't be afraid to interview more than one agent.  Ask a lot of questions (how long have they been in the business, how many homes have they sold in the area, what is their specific marketing plan, etc.).

Good agents strive to make you the most amount of money in the shortest period of time with the least amount of hassle possible.

Real estate transactions can be complex and frustrating, but with the right agent on your side, your job becomes much easier.  Don't be afraid to ask your agent any questions that come to mind.  A good agent is only to happy to keep you informed, so that together you can work to get top dollar for your property.