" How do I choose the right realtor?"

Talk about a tough question---this is it.  I have heard..,  "My sister is a realtor in town and I am going to use her when I find the right home" or  "I don't need a realtor, I can look it up on HAR, list my home on HAR and not have to pay the commission".   And, "the commission is too high".......  OK, straight talk----ONLY use your family member or good friend as a realtor if they are full-time realtors, knowledgable in the area and you are comfortable with them on a professional level.   Remember, your realtor has to be able to handle the transaction and there will be parts of it that require firm talk, sensitivity and judgement calls.  Personally I am very straightforward on issues like staging the home, its presentation to possible buyers, availability for showings, etc.  I say what needs to be done, not what you want to hear, necessarily.  Next, "the commission is too high" is an everyday discussion in the life of a realtor.  With internet companies offering LOW rates to list your home online and let you handle everything, it has blurred the effectiveness of a hands on, full time realtor.  Please make sure you understand what everything means.   The paperwork alone is daunting, and understanding all of it takes training year after year.  Marketing a home today is a true strategy and requires time, effort, training and full time scrutiny.  Every word about the home, every picture of the home, follow up of showings, doing regular studies on the neighborhood to determine changes in the buying climate that indicates needed changes on your homes' marketing/pricing, and all this before we begin the process of negotiating price, inspections, repairs, deadlines, etc ----------there is value to what a professional realtor adds to the process of selling your home.   Bottom line---  Choose a full-time realtor with experience in the area and one who listens to you and values your opinion in the mix.   This last part is about comfortability, its very important too, as you join together to become a business partnership to market your current home and possibly find your next one.......