U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

So your sister just introduced you to her friend, Irving, who is a real estate broker, and now you're stuck - right? Wrong! Picking the right person to sell your home is one of the most important parts of the selling process. So do it carefully.

Interview at least two or three brokers from different agencies. Ask them all the same questions, so you can compare their answers. Find out what they would do to sell your house.

Above all, pick a broker that you like and feel comfortable with. This person is going to be helping you make the biggest sale of your life, so find someone you believe will do that job well.

Here are some questions you might use when you interview real estate brokers:

• How many years have you been in this business?
• How long have you been selling homes in this area?
• How many homes have you sold in the past year?
• What is your commission rate?
• How would you market my home if I sign with you?
• Will you be holding open houses, and if so, will you personally host them?
• Can you give me the names and phone numbers of other families who have used your services?