Sound Off: What are the first steps in the home selling or buying process?

A: The first consideration for a client regarding a home sale or purchase is REPRESENTATION. Partnering with the right agent provides guidance through the process from the beginning, and impacts the client’s experience, the presentation of the home or offer, and ultimately the bottom line.

Next, together we consider TIMING. Is there a life event like a baby coming, or a new job to plan around? We use these to prepare a timeline and goals.

At the same time, it is important to get a current snapshot of a client’s financial picture, most often done in tandem with a lender or financial advisor, so we may best advise on target purchase and sales pricing.

From there, we launch our search or marketing efforts, partnering with the client to help them find their next home and achieve their financial goals.

Kevin Delmore, Sotheby’s International Realty, 415-203-3357, kevin.delmore@sothebyshomes.com.

A: Choose an expert Realtor to serve as your trusted advisor. Realtors wear many hats both for buyers and sellers: counselors, advocates, fiduciaries, and providers of data and reality checks. We offer numerous resources, and recommendations—positive and negative. The loan brokers we send our buyers to, and the contractors and stagers we recommend to sellers have proven themselves over the years. We save our clients time and money with advice appropriate for their situation. I tell my clients I will be their guardian angel and their devil’s advocate—both roles are crucial.

To find a good match, start with recommendations from friends who know you and your situation. Once you’ve found a good fit, check that they have a great track record and consistent high reviews. Then...