FTC Releases New Facts for Consumers Publication on Selecting a Real Estate Professional

In coordination with the FTC’s recent real estate competition law enforcement sweep, the Commission has issued a new Facts for Consumers publication entitled “Selling Your Home? Tips for Selecting a Real Estate Professional.” The publication, which can be found on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bc/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/zrea01.shtm, is designed to help anyone who is thinking of selling their home using the services of a real estate broker or agent. It describes the differences between types of brokers and agents, including the differences between traditional, full-service real estate brokers and non-traditional brokers that may offer many of the same services, but on an a la carte basis, and provides tips and questions to ask when hiring a real estate broker. The publication discusses different types of written real estate contracts, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of selling a home without a broker (for sale by owner), and identifies sources were consumers can get more information about mortgages and the home-sales process.

Copies of the new Facts for Consumers publication are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

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