Certainly real estate agents information is important to consider while you evaluate your options. Here are some resources to help you along the way:

The Role Of A Realtor
By Michael Stazko
When going to buy or sell a home, your first step should be finding an honest and hard-working realtor. You can find a real estate agent by keeping an eye out for advertisements, calling your local real estate broker, or through the internet. Some popular real estate brokers are Century 21, Remax, Keller Williams, and Coldwell Banker, just to name a few.

The role of a real estate agent is to represent your best interests in a real estate transaction. They work off of a commission, normally 6% of the sales price of the home. In most cases, that commission is split equally between the representing the buyer and the representing the seller. For a person buying a home, the service of the real estate agent is free, because commission is paid by the seller. The buyer, however, is responsible for most of the closing costs. The closing costs will be explained to you by your and will be on the documents you sign when you go to the title company. Closing costs can also be negotiated on during the contract process.

The real estate agent, through their broker, has access to all of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) listed homes in your area of interest. If you are a home buyer, the can provide you with information about homes for sale that meet your criteria. They will then bring you to these homes and let you inside

Illinois and Wisconsin Mortgage Rates as of 08/20/2008 9:50 AM CST : Current Mortgage Rate Trend: improving
30 Year fixed: 6.500% (6.565% APR) 15 Year Fixed: 6.125% (6.230% APR) 3/1 Jumbo ARM: 7.000% (7.123% APR) 5/1 Jumbo ARM: 6.625% (6.697% APR) 5/1 ARM: 6.375% (6.439% APR) 3/1 ARM: 6.375% (6.439% APR) 30 Year FHA and VA: 6.500% (6.564% APR) 30 Year Rural Housing: 6.750% (6.815% APR) 3/1 ARM Lot Loan: 6.875% (7.034% APR) 1/1 ARM Lot Loan: 6.725% (6.882% APR)
Illinois and Wisconsin Mortgage Rates as of 08/19/2008 9:59 AM CST : Current Mortgage Rate Trend: worsening
30 Year fixed: 6.625% (6.690% APR) 15 Year Fixed: 6.125% (6.230% APR) 3/1 Jumbo ARM: 7.000% (7.123% APR) 5/1 Jumbo ARM: 6.625% (6.697% APR) 5/1 ARM: 6.375% (6.439% APR) 3/1 ARM: 6.375% (6.439% APR) 30 Year FHA and VA: 6.500% (6.564% APR) 30 Year Rural Housing: 6.750% (6.815% APR) 3/1 ARM Lot Loan: 6.875% (7.034% APR) 1/1 ARM Lot Loan: 6.725% (6.882% APR)
Effective July 14, 2008 FHA mortgage loans will charge new mortgage insurance premiums
Effective July 14, 2008 FHA mortgage loans will charge new mortgage insurance premiums based on a combination of credit scores and percentage down. FHA will implement risk-based premiums on one- to four-unit single family mortgages.

to see them. If you are selling a home, the will list your home in the MLS, post a "For Sale" sign in your yard, and hold open houses to attract buyers. Be wary of discount realtors that offer to list your home for a lower commission. Studies show that, in most cases, your home will stay on the market longer and you end up selling it for a lower price than what you intended.

A real estate transaction is a complicated process that involves many steps and is best done with the help of a trained, licensed professional. A can save you the headache of dealing with the other party in the sale, getting together the contract, and submitting all the documents to the title company. So when you are ready to buy or sell a house, contact the local real estate agent.

Michael A. Stazko is a food lover and founder of www.buyandsellnorthtexas.com , www.bigdallasrealestate.com , and www.bigsandiegorealestate.com .