Independent Realtors follow strict national and state guidelines while having enough freedom to set them apart from their competition. As a seller, you can list your house with an independent real estate broker who may or may not show the house. A seller's agent is responsible for marketing the house. A buyer’s independent real estate agent, on the other hand, works for the buyer and will help you search for a property as well as negotiate the final contract.

There are more than 100,000 independent real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Independent Realtors, a trade group that offers training and networking opportunities for its members. Independent agents and brokers sometimes use this membership as a selling point for their services. Any licensed independent agent can join the group. Look instead for a good referral to choose your independent Realtor.

1. Find independent Realtors in an area to which you are moving

2. Make independent real estate agents work for their commissions

3. Consult independent real estate brokers before selling your property

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide what you need from an independent real estate broker

Whether you are being transferred for work, retiring or just moving because you want to, you can enlist the services of an independent agent to work in your absence. While you may have a personal referral from a local friend or family member, you still can find a good independent agent through a number of other avenues.

I recommend: Online, you can find sites such as Connect2agent that can not only put you in touch with local independent Realtors, but also offer ratings and profiles of the independent agents so you can preview their credentials before contacting them. Real Estate Agent Search lists independent agents and brokers by area and includes that agents MLS listings.

Let your independent Realtor find you properties to view

While it may be tempting to spend hours and hours hunting for property online, consider giving your independent real estate broker the parameters that you are looking for and let him find you properties to view when you arrive in town.

I recommend: Ask independent real estate agents a series of questions, such as the ones posted by the Gehrke Group in Wisconsin, to see if they are up to your requirements. You should interview at least two or three independent Realtors before signing on with one. The National Association of Exclusive Buyers’ Agents offers another good 10 questions to pose an independent real estate broker.

Hire an independent real estate broker for a consult

Even before you choose an independent agent to list your property, you can hire an independent Realtor to go over your options and advise you on what kind of price you can expect and what you should do to the property to get more money out of it. This way you can count on the advice as being free from any personal gain for the Realtor.

I recommend: Kingsley Associates is a national real estate consulting firm that works with or beside the commercial Realtor. Acre is a national, fee-for-service real estate consulting firm that does not try to sell you a property or the services of particular independent real estate brokers. Instead, they try to help you sort through the sales pitches that you will get from independent agents and brokers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are not sure about the independent real estate agent you have chosen, start with a six-month commitment which you can always extend if the relationships works well and you are still on the market.