How Do I Choose a Listing Agent to Sell My Home?

Selling a home is a major financial and emotional decision. For most homeowners, their home is their biggest asset, and they want to ensure they get the best possible price. One of the most important decisions that a homeowner will make when selling their home is choosing a listing agent. A good listing agent can help you get the best price for your home, while a bad one can cost you money and time. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to choose a listing agent to sell your home.

  • 1. Do your research before choosing a listing agent. Look for agents with experience in your market and a track record of successfully selling homes. Check online reviews and ask for referrals from friends and family who have recently sold their homes. See my reviews and home sales on Zillow and Reviews on Google.
  • 2. Once you have a list of potential agents, set up interviews with them. This will allow you to ask about their experience, marketing strategies, and fees. It’s essential to choose an agent who is honest, trustworthy, and easy to communicate with.
  • 3. Ask potential agents about their marketing plan for your home. A good marketing plan should include professional photography, virtual tours, online and offline advertising, and open houses. The agent should be able to explain how they will market your home to potential buyers and how they will keep you informed throughout the process. Read more about how I market homes here.
  • 4. Communication is vital when it comes to selling a home. During your interviews, ask about how the agent communicates with you and if you will be dealing directly with them or if you will also be communicating with team members. Do they respond to your calls and emails promptly? Are they proactive in keeping you informed about potential buyers and offers?
  • 5. Decide if you want to work with a team or individual agent. Real Estate agents sometimes form teams, and working with them is different than working with an individual agent, so be sure to understand who you will be dealing with. An individual agent will give you personal attention throughout your transaction and be a consistent point of contact. You also know that the agent you choose is the person that will be accountable to you throughout the process. On the other hand, a team may give you several points of contact; but it can also mean that the same agent is not responsible for each part of your transaction. Frequently the most experienced agent heads a team but leaves day-to-day details to less experienced agents.
  • 6. Consider the resources the agent brings to the table. Whether an agent works as an individual or a team, good real estate agents have a collection of people they trust and can call upon when needed. This may include contractors, inspectors, settlement companies, lenders, and more.
  • 7. Consider their fees. Most agents charge a commission, which is a percentage of the sale price of your home. The commission is usually split and offered as part of the listing to other agents that may have a potential buyer for your home. You will want to understand what portion of the commission your listing agent keeps and what part is offered to a buyer’s agent. The goal of offering this commission to buyer’s agents is to maximize the number of potential buyers who see your home, including those not represented just by your agent or your agent’s brokerage. In addition to the commission, there may be other fees, such as marketing expenses and fees charged by the agent’s brokerage. Be sure to understand all the costs and how they will be paid before signing a contract.

Finally, trust your instincts when choosing a listing agent. If you don’t feel comfortable with an agent or don’t think they have your best interests in mind, it’s okay to keep looking. You want to choose an agent who you feel confident will sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

With 15 years of real estate experience, a professional marketing background and over 600 homes sold I deliver results for my home sellers. Let’s talk about what I can do for you. Contact me now!