Navigating the real estate market requires a skilled realtor, especially after the NAR lawsuit settlement that introduced significant industry changes. Under these new guidelines, for example, sellers' listing agreements must no longer include buyer agent commissions on MLS listings.
Also, with the lingering high interest rates as the Federal Reserve continues to combat inflation, buyer activity has moderated compared to the frenzied COVID-19 housing market.
To maximize your home's value, it’s crucial to select a realtor with the expertise to handle these current market conditions. We recommend interviewing several agents to thoroughly compare their marketing tactics and pricing strategies. This will also help you save big money on realtor commission - the biggest cost of selling a home.
You can also use our free agent finding tool to find the best realtors in your area. We pre-screen agents based on their experience, local sales performance, customer ratings, and more. We also pre-negotiate 1.5% listing fees with all our agents — half the typical 3%. Fill out this short quiz to get matched with top local agents today!
How to choose a realtor when selling
1. Define what you need in a realtor
Before searching for a realtor, it's smart to assess your specific needs and desires. Understanding what's most important to you in the selling process will guide your choice of agent.
For example, maybe you aren't in a rush to sell, and want to maximize the value of your home sale. Or perhaps you're relocating for work and need to sell ASAP. These factors will influence the type of agent you want to hire.
Ask yourself these kinds of questions:
- What communication style meshes well with mine?
- Do I prefer the personalized service of an independent agent or the resources of a larger team?
- What level of availability do I expect from my agent?
- Are there specific skills I need in a realtor, such as experience with military moves, divorce sales, or transitioning to retirement?
This strategy not only helps you pinpoint the right agent but also prepare you to pose insightful questions during your interviews with potential realtors.
2. Find the best realtors to compare
While many people trust real estate referrals from family, friends, or neighbors to find an agent, these referrals might not always align with their specific needs.
For example, the experience of a realtor who helped a friend in a different neighborhood or price range may not be relevant to your situation. It could also become awkward to fire a real estate agent recommended by someone you know if things don’t work out.
Though conducting an online search on platforms like Zillow can quickly yield numerous potential agents, the process of vetting each one can be daunting and time-intensive. Also, online reviews are often overwhelmingly positive, which can obscure a clear picture of an agent’s performance.
That's why we recommend using a free agent finding tool to help you find and vet realtors. Real Estate Witch, for example, selects top local agents tailored to your specific requirements and offers significant savings with a 1.5% listing fee—well below the national average. Start finding highly rated agents in your area now.
3. Research agents online
After compiling a list of potential realtors, the next step is to conduct detailed online research to further refine your choices, ensuring that you only consider agents who meet your specific criteria. Begin by exploring their websites, social media profiles, and customer reviews for additional insights.
Important aspects to verify include the agent's active real estate license and any disciplinary records, which can be checked through your state’s real estate commission with a simple Google search.
As you evaluate each agent, consider the following:
- Recent sales performance: Verify that the agent has experience selling homes in your area. Look at the average number of days their listings remain on the market compared to the average, as this can indicate how swiftly they can close sales.
- Customer reviews: While many agents will have positive testimonials, note any multiple or recurring negative feedback. Recent reviews are particularly valuable as they reflect the agent’s current market performance.
- Experience level: Ideally, choose an agent who is committed full-time to real estate and has a minimum of 2-3 years of experience with at least 12 transactions annually.
These steps will help you select a realtor who is best suited to help you achieve your goals.
4. Interview multiple agents
Before settling on a realtor, make sure to interview at least three candidates. These initial meetings, often held in your home, typically include presenting a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report.
During the interview, expect the agent to inquire about:
- Your ideal selling timeline (e.g., ASAP, within 3-6 months, or longer than 6 months).
- Your expectations as a seller when it comes to sales price.
- Any home repairs or upgrades you’ve made since buying.
- The findings from any pre-listing home inspections you've conducted.
- Details about your property that may not be available online.
- Any unique selling circumstances you might be facing.
You'll also want to prepare a list of questions to ask each agent, which can help you gauge their expertise and suitability for your specific needs.
🏡 Questions to ask a realtor when selling
💡 About their experience and work style:
- How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood and price range?
- What's the average time it took the homes to sell?
- How much communication can I expect, and who will be my main point of contact?
- What is your real estate commission rate?
📈 About the housing market:
- What are other homes selling for in my neighborhood?
- How quickly are homes like mine selling?
- What are prospective buyers looking for right now?
- What kinds of offer terms or concessions should I expect from buyers?
- What's your selling strategy in the current market?
🏡 About your home:
- What is my home's fair market value? How did you come to that answer?
- What home repairs or updates do you recommend?
- How will you market my home to buyers?
🚩 Red flags to watch out for
During the interview, look out for warning signs of a bad real estate agent. You might not want to work with an agent if they:
- Give vague or unclear answers to your questions
- Are too pushy or rushed during the interview
- Can't clearly describe the home selling process or set expectations
- Lack transparency about their fees and services
- Have limited knowledge of your local market
- Have no data to support their sales history or experience
- Give a listing price that’s significantly higher than other agents' estimates (too high of a listing price can cause your home to sit on the market longer or not sell at all)
5. Review and sign the listing agreement
Once you choose your agent, you'll sign a listing agreement. This contract authorizes the realtor to sell your home. Carefully review the contract, and have the agent explain each section.
Common information in a listing agreement includes:
- Type of agreement (e.g., exclusive right to sell, open listing, or agency agreement)
- Length of the agreement
- The agent's responsibilities
- Your responsibilities
- Which MLS your home will be listed on
- How to resolve any disputes over the contract, including how to terminate the contract
- The listing fee
Before signing, look for red flags, like a lengthy contract term with no way to cancel the contract. Be wary if your realtor tries to rush when explaining the contract or gives vague answers to your questions.
Also remember that you can negotiate the real estate commission. If you don't want to negotiate yourself, you can use our agent finding service, which has already pre-negotiated a 1.5% listing fee with agents.
What makes a good seller’s agent?
Good listing agents have qualities that make them successful at selling homes efficiently and for top dollar. Here are key traits to look for.
1. They're transparent about their process and fees
Your realtor should be able to clearly explain their home selling process, including:
- Their commission rate, so you know exactly how much you are paying
- The specific services they provide, from listing to closing
- Their recommended marketing and negotiation strategies, including photography, 3D tours, and open houses
- An estimated timeline for getting your home listed and sold
2. They understand your local market
A good real estate agent can easily tell you:
- How much homes are selling for in your neighborhood
- How long properties are staying on the market
- What buyers are demanding in terms of contingencies and concessions
- How much leverage sellers have compared to buyers
- What your home is worth relative to comparable homes in the neighborhood
They'll know what your home will realistically sell for in the current market based on their comparative market analysis. And they can back up their suggested listing price with data.
3. They have relevant experience
You want an agent who has recently sold homes in your area and price range. And if you have an unusual situation, like a pending foreclosure or an inherited home, you want a listing agent with the skills to help with that specific circumstance.
4. Their communication style fits yours
You want to find a real estate agent whose communication style fits well with yours, since you’ll be working closely with them throughout the home selling process.
An agent with a good communication style will:
- Clearly explain complex real estate information
- Use your preferred method of communication (phone, email, or text)
- Respond within 24 hours
- Listen attentively
- Provide clear answers to your questions
- Make you feel comfortable
5. They have a marketing plan designed for your situation
A good real estate agent will personalize a marketing strategy for your home. The marketing plan should include:
- An explanation of why they think the plan will work for your property
- Where they’ll list your property
- An open house strategy, including frequency and staging
- How they'll incorporate social media or other technology, like virtual showings, 360-degree tours, and video calls
6. They have a reliable network of professionals
A good seller’s agent can recommend reliable professionals to help sell your home, including:
- Skilled home repair workers.
- Talented real estate photographers.
- Experienced home stagers.
- Professional cleaners.
- A local title company and/or an attorney
FAQ
Why choose one real estate agent over another?
Choosing one experienced realtor over another comes down to your preferences and comfort level. When making your final decision, look for an agent who has experience in your local market, has recent sales, can communicate clearly, and is someone you feel comfortable working with closely.
How do you interview a realtor when selling a house?
You can call or email a sellers agent to arrange an in-person or video appointment. Before the interview, prepare a list of questions. Ask them about their home selling process, local market knowledge, and sales history. Also ask for recent references.
When should you contact a real estate agent?
Start looking for a listing agent as soon as youve decided to sell your home. This gives you time to research and interview multiple agents so you can find the right fit. Plus, the realtor can help you navigate the preparation phase of selling your home.
How much do I pay my realtor for selling my house?
How much you pay your realtor will be detailed in your listing agreement. Traditional agents often charge a 3% commission on the homes sale price. But many qualified, full-service agents will sell your home for a 2% commission or less. Learn more about realtor fees.
Should you search for a realtor or real estate agent?
Both realtors and real estate agents are licensed and qualified to help buy and sell homes. The difference is that realtors are also members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and bound by the NAR Code of Ethics. Ultimately what matters is the quality of the individual agent.
What does a sellers agent do?
A sellers agent, or listing agent, helps a seller list and market their home. This process includes setting a list price, developing a marketing strategy, hosting open houses, and negotiating with buyers. Learn more about what a listing agent does.
Related reading
How to Find a Real Estate Agent: Discover the top ways to start your search for a local real estate agent, and learn what to watch out for along the way.
Should I Sell My House Now? The decision to sell your house now or wait is a big one. And sellers right now face some unique challenges. Here's how to decide.
What Does a Real Estate Agent REALLY Do? Learn about the key responsibilities for both seller's and buyer's agents.
Realtor Fees: Who Pays the Commission and How Much Is It? This guide explains what you’ll pay (and how to get discounts) when working with a realtor.