Once you've determined what you think your home's value is, meet with at least three, and preferably six different realty firms. Let each company do their own analysis of your home. Keep in mind that they know the market and values, but do not accept their pricing and assessment of salability without a frank and open discussion. If they believe the price to be 20% less than your assessment, find out why and be prepared with the reasons supporting your pricing. Remember, they work for you, and the more they get for your house, the larger the commission they earn.

1. Contact the firms and insist that the agents you meet will be the agents who will do the actual work.


2. Choose a realtor with whom you're comfortable, and who will make a good impression upon potential buyers and their agents.


3. Avoid "I know this better than you do" type agents. They don't make very good impressions.


4. Meet with your agent in a closed-door, cell phones off meeting to discuss their assessment of your home, their pricing, how they intend to market it and ask them for suggestions about improving your home to make it more attractive.


5. Communications is imperative. Make sure your agent has all your home, work and mobile numbers, and you have all of theirs.

Most homes are also listed with the Austin Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Make certain the MLS listing presents your home in the best possible way, and that all the information is true and correct. If you don't know information about your home, don't guess at it. Either research it in your own records, or make a notation that the information is not available. Misrepresenting something in a home sale can either kill the deal, or lead to legal repercussions post-sale that can be expensive.

Photos or video of your home for use in the MLS listing is the responsibility of the realtor. Most use digital cameras which produce good images, but many digitals do not have a wide lens aperture. You are within your rights to request that the realtor use a professional photographer or videographer to depict your home. You can negotiate with the realtor as to who pays for it.

A word about commissions: ask each realty firm you interview what their commission will be. Most charge 6% of the closing price. You can negotiate for a lower rate with some firms, but you may get less attention and reduced efforts on the agent's part because of the lowered commission.

All expenses for marketing your home come out of that commission, unless otherwise agreed upon. The agent and the realty firm split the commission, and if there's a buyer's agent involved, the entire 6% commission is split equally between the firms and their agents.