Real Estate

Inheriting property can be messy.  If your spouse dies, you need to decide whether or not you will live in the same house. Inheriting real property can become even more complicated if you share ownership with other family members. Not only do you have to share the house itself, you also have to share property taxes, insurance costs, mortgage payments, possible liens, and maintenance costs. 

If you choose to sell there are a number of advantages to hiring a professional. A good realtor knows the market, legal issues, and tax ramifications, and can negotiate the best deal. But with so many agents vying for your business, how do you choose the one that is right for you? 

The most important thing is to pick someone you can trust. You want someone who has your best interests at heart, is a good communicator, is knowledgeable about the home selling process.  Be sure to interview several agents at the home. Ask questions about how long the agent has been in business, what their commission is, what kind of marketing they will do, what the average market time is for homes like yours, how much your property is worth, and what you could do to improve the likelihood of a quick sale. You should also ask the realtor for references and check with your local board of realtors to see if there have ever been any complaints filed. 

Ultimately choose the realtor with the best combination of enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience, but one with whom you have a good rapport.