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 can be found on the FTC's Web site and 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.

The Illinois Academy of Real Estate recommends that both consumers and real estate professionals review this publication. FTC Publication.  Check it out and tell us what you think.