It’s true. I decided to sell our home this year. Met with my REALTOR® on August 24, listed on September 4 and was under contract by October 2.

Yes, I work for the REALTOR® association so some will say I drink the Kool-Aid, but let me tell you emphatically: I could not have sold my house without my REALTOR®.

I am a mom and between working full time, driving here and there to all the school, sports and arts stuff, I do not have time for much else. Not to mention I do not have a sales bone in my body.

My REALTOR® identified all the pre-listing must-address items then suggested reliable, affordable contractors and helped me stage the home to show. He determined the right list price, marketed the property professionally and answered all my questions, all my calls. His office scheduled and kept me informed about the open house and 14+ showings. He negotiated the contract at a good price, helped me throughout the inspection process, and prepared me for the paperwork and legal documents at closing.

So my story is a good one to add to 3Q09’s hopeful signs in the Illinois housing market. I chose my REALTOR® because I trust him, because he had the experience and knowledge how to get this very important transaction—the sale of my most valuable financial asset and the place we called home for the last 8 years—completed for me.

That’s a job I could not do myself.