This week we talked with Radha Patel, Realtor with ReMax Executives.

Q:How can I find the right listing agent?

A: It's so much harder to obtain financing unless you have excellent credit and at least 5 percent to put down that there are certainly fewer buyers out there right now. So it's really critical that you find an agent who will do more to reach potential buyers than just list your properties on FMLS and MLS.

Q:How do I know an agent will do this for me?

A: Selling houses is about networking. When you're interviewing listing agents, consider how big a brokerage they work with. The more agents there, the more immediate access to their network of potential buyers. I work with a team, the Wright Team, and we find that's another great way to provide our listing clients with instant access to a bigger pool of buyers. What you're really interested in is an agent who will aggressively market your home to other agents. Can they identify agents who have clients who are looking for a property like yours, and will they call those agents and ask them to show your house?

Q: What about marketing?

A: You're looking for creativity. Traditional open houses and agent caravans are fine, but you need more. Earlier this month I held a themed birthday party in a new residential subdivision, Briarlake Heights, that I'm marketing. The home was completely finished, but vacant, so we invited lots of people for a great evening, which just happened to also showcase this home and this subdivision. It was a fun way to meet a lot of people who might not be in the market right now, but who know others who might be ready to buy a home.