10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you'll make when selling your home.

The agent you hire will help determine how your property is priced, presented, marketed, negotiated, and ultimately sold. But with so many agents to choose from, how do you know who is right for you?

Before signing a listing agreement, use this 10-point checklist to help you make an informed decision.

1. Do They Truly Know Your Local Market?

Real estate is local.

An agent should understand not only recent comparable sales, but also current inventory, buyer demand, neighborhood trends, competing properties, and what buyers are willing to pay today.

For co-op and condo sellers, knowledge of the specific building can be especially valuable. Maintenance or common charges, financial requirements, sublet policies, flip taxes, board requirements, amenities, and recent sales within the building can all affect a property's marketability and value.

Ask the agent:

“What is happening in my neighborhood and price range right now?”

A knowledgeable agent should be able to give you a clear answer supported by current market data.

2. What Is Their Pricing Strategy?

Don't automatically choose the agent who suggests the highest listing price.

A good agent should be able to explain why they recommend a particular price and support that recommendation with comparable sales, current competition, market conditions, property condition, location, and buyer demand.

Ask:

“How did you arrive at the recommended listing price?”

The answer should involve much more than simply telling you what you want to hear.

3. What Is Their Marketing Plan?

Putting a property in the MLS is only the beginning.

Ask exactly how your home will be marketed.

Depending on the property, a comprehensive marketing strategy may include professional photography, video, floor plans, online exposure, social media, direct marketing, broker outreach, open houses, targeted buyer marketing, database promotion, and follow-up with interested buyers.

Your agent should be able to explain the strategy before you hire them.

4. What Is Their Track Record?

Experience matters—but years in the business alone don't tell the entire story.

Ask about actual results:

• How many properties have they sold?
• How active are they in your area?
• What types of properties do they regularly sell?
• What is their average days on market?
• How closely do their listings sell to the asking price?
• Do they have experience handling multiple-offer situations?

The goal isn't simply to find someone who can list your home. You want someone with a demonstrated ability to get transactions successfully to the closing table.

5. Are They a Full-Time Real Estate Professional?

Selling a home involves showings, offers, inspections, appraisals, attorneys, lenders, managing agents, buyer questions, negotiations, and unexpected issues.

Ask whether real estate is the agent's full-time profession and how available they will be throughout your transaction.

You should know who will actually be handling your sale once the listing agreement is signed.

6. How Will They Present Your Property?

Today's buyers often form their first impression of a property online.

Professional photography, accurate descriptions, thoughtful staging, strong presentation, and attention to detail can make a significant difference.

Ask the agent to show you examples of previous listings.

Look at them as though you were a buyer. Would those listings make you want to schedule a showing?

7. How Strong Are Their Negotiation Skills?

Marketing gets buyers through the door. Negotiation helps protect your bottom line.

A strong listing agent should know how to evaluate much more than the offered price.

An offer may also involve the buyer's down payment, financing, contingencies, closing timeline, appraisal risk, and other terms.

For co-op sellers, the buyer's financial qualifications and ability to satisfy the building's requirements can be especially important.

Ask your prospective agent:

“If I receive several offers, how will you help me determine which one is strongest?”

8. How Will They Communicate With You?

One of the biggest frustrations sellers experience is not knowing what's happening with their listing.

Before hiring an agent, establish expectations.

Ask how frequently you will receive updates, how showing feedback will be communicated, and how the agent will keep you informed about market activity, offers, and changes in competing inventory.

Good communication shouldn't stop once the listing agreement is signed.

9. Do They Have a Professional Network?

A successful sale can involve many professionals beyond your real estate agent.

Depending on your situation, you may need an attorney, lender, photographer, contractor, painter, cleaner, mover, estate-sale company, handyman, or other service provider.

An experienced agent should have a professional network and be able to provide resources when needed, while allowing you to choose the professionals you are most comfortable working with.

10. What Do Their Past Clients Say?

Reviews and testimonials can tell you a great deal about what it's actually like to work with an agent.

Look beyond the star rating.

Read what past sellers say about communication, professionalism, negotiation, responsiveness, market knowledge, problem-solving, and the overall experience.

Consistent feedback over many transactions can provide valuable insight into what you can expect.

One Final Question: Do You Trust Them?

Selling a home is both a major financial transaction and a personal experience.

Your real estate agent will represent you in negotiations, communicate with buyers and other professionals on your behalf, and help guide you through important decisions.

Credentials and marketing are important—but so are trust, transparency, responsiveness, and your confidence in the person representing you.

Choose someone who is prepared to tell you what you need to know, not simply what you want to hear.

Thinking About Selling Your Home?

If you're considering selling a home, co-op, or condo in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, or the surrounding Queens area, I would be happy to discuss your property, review current market conditions, and explain the strategy I would recommend for your sale.

Olga Mayayeva Credentials
Associate Real Estate Broker | eXp Realty
19+ Years of Real Estate Experience
390+ Successful Sales
99% List-to-Sale Price Ratio
Average Days on Market: Under 30

718-781-3074
RealtorOlga.com

Thinking about selling? Contact me for a confidential, no-obligation consultation and find out what your property may be worth in today's market.