CONSUMER GUIDE: TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK A SELLER’S AGENT
If you’re ready to sell your home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the
best fit for your needs. Here are ten questions you should consider when selecting an agent:
1. Are you a REALTOR®? When you work with an agent who is a REALTOR®, you are working with a
professional guided by ethical duties under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, including the pledge to
protect and promote the interests of their clients.
2. What types of services can you provide me? Your agent can help you with marketing your
property, interfacing with buyer’s agents, handling showings and open houses, negotiating the
purchase agreement on your behalf, assisting throughout the closing process, and more.
3. Are you familiar with the market where I am selling my home? Your agent must be licensed
where you are selling your home. But they should also have the market knowledge to facilitate a
successful transaction. While prior experience with the market where your property is located is not
a requirement, local knowledge could help your agent develop a strategy that resonates with local
buyers.
4. What will be included in our listing contract? At the outset of your relationship, you and your
agent will sign a listing agreement that says the agent can represent you and market your property
to potential buyers and their agents and establishes the sale price for your home. It will also lay out
the type of professional representation your agent will provide and what they will be paid for those
services. Remember that agent compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law.
5. How did you arrive at your suggested list price for my home? Setting a strong initial asking price
based on your agent’s knowledge of the market is important for capturing buyer interest and
securing the best possible offer. Your agent should conduct market research to determine an
appropriate price that both attracts prospective buyers and ensures you receive a fair market value
for your home.
6. How will you market my home? Agents may use a variety of marketing methods to reach
potential buyers, and they should walk you through the pros and cons of each option. For example,
one tool agents use to market properties is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), an online platform that
compiles home listings from brokerages in a given market, to reach the largest possible pool of
buyers and potentially attract the best offer.
7. How do I attract potential buyers? There are many strategies that may help attract potential
buyers. For example, offers of compensation—when you or your agent compensate another agent
for bringing a buyer to successfully close the transaction—and seller concessions—when you cover
certain costs associated with purchasing a home for the buyer—may lead to a better or faster offer
by reducing out-of-pocket and upfront expenses for prospective buyers.
8. What do I need to do to get my house ready? To prepare your home for listing, your agent may
suggest investing in necessary repairs or other upgrades that may help enhance buyer interest for
the property.
9. How will you vet potential buyers? An important part of selling your home is ensuring that
prospective buyers are financially prepared to follow through with their offer. Discuss with your
agent how they plan to evaluate prospective buyers, which may include requiring a pre-approval
letter to be submitted alongside the offer.
10. Do you have references I can speak with? Many agents will be happy to connect you with
satisfied clients they have worked with in the past who can speak to their experience.
Practices may vary based on state and local law. Consult your real estate professional and / or
consult an attorney for details about state law where you are purchasing a home. Please visit
facts.realtor for more information and resources.
REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®