Photo credits: Anson Chan & Maryann Bologna

The decision to buy or sell a home can be intimidating, so prospective buyers and sellers should seek the best resource they can find -- a REALTOR®. Knowing what a real estate agent can do for you is very important. You want a REALTOR® with a strong working knowledge of the intricacies of buying and selling a home - from financing and market values to closing procedures.

When choosing a real estate professional, the best bet in terms of ethical, efficient and reliable service is a REALTOR®. Unlike real estate practitioners who are simply licensed by their state to do business, REALTORS® have taken additional steps to become members of the local Association of Realtors and have agreed to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. This membership obligates them to be honest with all parties involved in a transaction, whether it is the buyer, seller or cooperating agent.

Once a prospective buyer or seller chooses a real estate professional to work with, it will make all the difference in the home buying and selling process. For example, real estate professionals can coordinate the services of mortgage lenders, contractors, appraisers, home inspectors, and insurance agents -- all the key players a consumer needs to seal a real estate transaction.

The wide variety of services provided by a real estate professional are proving ever more valuable in today's transactions, which have become increasingly complex with new financing twists and sales contract intricacies. While technology has brought a wealth of real estate information -- including property listings -- closer to the consumer, it has not removed the complexity of the transaction. As a result, consumers continue to find value in having a real estate professional help them through one of the biggest investments they will ever make -- the purchase of a home. Prospective buyers and sellers should know that REALTORS® are their most valuable resource when it comes to the real estate transaction.