Most houses in the U.S. are sold with the assistance of real estate agents. It's all right to sell your own home without being a licensed agent. However, if you're going to arrange for the sale of someone else's house and charge a fee for your services, then you must be a licensed broker or a real estate agent working through a licensed broker. A person who sells real estate without a license not only risks being prosecuted for breaking the law, but also will not be able to sue for the commission if the seller refuses to pay it. The real estate agent is required to use reasonable efforts to find a person who is interested in buying your property. The agent should also help you negotiate a deal, assist in finding financing, and otherwise aid in the consummation of the sale. The real estate agent is required to tell prospective buyers and sellers whether the agent represents the buyer, the seller, or both. The real estate agent should supply you with an agency relationship disclosure to accomplish this purpose. If you decide to sell your house through a broker, the broker will have you sign a written listing agreement. This gives the broker the authority to find a buyer for your house and also obligates you to pay the broker a commission if the broker locates a willing and qualified buyer. For more information on agents and listing agreements, contact a real estate professional.
