How to Choose a Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home: A 10-Step Checklist

2. Get referrals from a trusted source

In a 2024 survey, the National Association of Realtors concluded that 65% of sellers found their agent through referrals by family and friends or used an agent they had worked with in the past to buy or sell a home.

So, do you know of any family, friends, or colleagues who have recently used an agent to successfully sell their house? What about anyone through your social network? Maybe they worked with an agent on your list, and you can score a firsthand recommendation.

3. Look for red flags

When considering how to choose a real estate agent for selling, it’s a good idea to know how to spot any red flags from the get-go. Keep a lookout for these telltale signs of a sub-par agent:

Limited sales experience or vague results

Choose a real estate agent with a few years of experience who has completed a fair number of transactions per year relative to your market.

“You really should be looking for an agent who is doing at least a transaction a week,” says Boyland. “They should be selling 50-plus houses a year because then you know that person has made a serious commitment to real estate. They’re going to have systems in place and are going to have staff. They’re going to have marketing. They’re going to have a budget.”

Mediocre marketing skills

To give your home the attention it deserves, you want an agent who nails marketing. While researching agents, pay close attention to how they market their online listings. According to the NAR, 100% of home buyers used the internet to search for a home in 2024.

“I think the most important things for the home itself are photography and staging,” says Karen Kinder, a top-rated real estate agent with over 22 years of experience helping sellers and buyers throughout the greater Toledo, Ohio, area. Kinder adds that a little staging and professional photography can make a significant difference in leveling up a seller’s home.

When real estate is their side job

A part-time agent may be juggling more responsibilities (like a second job). If you’re hoping to sell quickly, a part-time agent may not have the necessary time available like a full-time agent will.

In addition, a part-time agent may lack the experience and skills to land the best price for your home.

Too pushy and has an agenda

“Connecting with your agent is really important as far as ‘this is someone I feel I can trust,’” says Kinder.

You should never feel uncomfortable working with your agent, and you shouldn’t feel pressured into making a decision.

Unfamiliar with your market

Agents who haven’t sold in the area for long may lack insider knowledge about the surrounding market that seasoned agents can provide. Agents who have sold in the area for a while also usually have connections (reputable inspectors, contractors, etc.).

Shaky negotiator

You need an agent with fine-tuned negotiation skills to be your advocate and help you sort through multiple offers on the table.

“Going back and helping the seller select which offer and negotiate with that particular offer is a really important step because there are so many features in the offers besides just price,” advises Kinder.

These features could include negotiating closing costs, timelines, home warranties, or other stipulations.

You’re sensing lies (or half-truths)

A good real estate agent should never mislead or lie to you, or knowingly hold back information. Even if the agent looks great on paper, if something just doesn’t feel right, it probably won’t get better. Trust your gut!

Overly eager to please

A good agent will be transparent and realistic, offering professional advice on the best course of action, even if it’s not what you were expecting or hoping to hear.

For example, you may have a certain price you’re hoping to list your house for, but that dollar figure is much higher than what the comparable data shows. Some eager-to-please agents will agree to list it that way, even though the higher price will delay the sale, and you’ll eventually need to allow the buyer to negotiate down.

An agent who knows the local market can help you decide on a price that’s fair and profitable … yet won’t leave your house sitting on the market for months.

We’ve compiled more signs of a bad real estate agent for you to look out for here.

4. Decide what’s important to you before you engage

What do you really want out of a real estate agent? Before setting up interviews, consider what’s most important to you.

Maybe communication is a key factor. Do you prefer to chat on the phone, or via text/email? Hoping to sell ASAP? A quick response time might be high on your list. Do you prefer an agent who’ll take the reins through the selling process, or do you want to be more hands-on?

5. Do advance in-person reconnaissance if you can

Try taking a gander through your neighborhood for real estate agents selling in your area. Next, consider which of these agents have “Sold” signs, and which don’t.

If you come across an open house, use it as an opportunity to look inside and chat with the agent. How do they make you, a potential buyer, feel? Are they personable? Professional? Do they know a lot about the home they’re selling? Would you want them to sell your home?

6. Interview at least three real estate agents to get the real deal

Online research is incredibly useful, but the best way to choose a real estate agent is to speak to them directly. Through conversation, you can get a feel for important qualitative qualities like honesty and friendliness, as well as a sense of chemistry between your personalities and communication styles.

When preparing for interviews, write out questions addressing your biggest concerns. Then, set up a quick 15-minute phone call or in-person interview. In the interview, you can open the conversation by covering the basics about your home, including:

• Specific location
• Square footage
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Condition (briefly touch on recent remodels, necessary repairs)
• Unique features such as large acreage, pool, guest house, finished basement, etc.

Once you’ve hit the facts, share your aim for your home sale. Let the agent know if you need to sell your home in a specific timeframe or for an absolute minimum amount. From there, lead into your interview questions. Here are six to get you started:

How long have you been working as a real estate agent?

“Experience is really important,” advises Kinder. “There are bumps in the road occasionally that you have to get through, and as a real estate agent, you have to know how to guide your people through that.”

Ideally, you want to partner with a real estate agent who has at least five years of experience selling homes. In this span, an agent will have deepened their understanding of the local market, encountered a range of unique situations, built a strong network, and developed effective selling strategies.

How well do you know the area?

Real estate is hyper-local. You want an agent who knows what it takes to compete for buyers’ attention in your market. The agent should tackle this question confidently and should be able to point out homes they’ve sold in your neighborhood or surrounding area.

What sets you apart as an agent?

This is an excellent question to see how the real estate agent is as a salesperson. This is their opportunity to give you an elevator pitch on why you should choose them over other agents.

How many clients do you represent at one time?

You’re listening for a Goldilocks response: too many clients and they won’t dedicate enough time to your home sale, while too few is a red flag.

What does your fee include, and is it flexible?

Some agents include the cost of services like moving and staging in their fee. A full-service real estate agent will provide a high level of offerings that go toward giving you a great selling experience and boosting exposure to your home.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge to selling my home?

This question tests an agent’s honesty and humility. If your home is decked with popcorn ceilings and golden oak, and the agent doesn’t address the remodeled competition, they may just be trying to flatter you.

Check out more agent interview questions and agent hiring tips here.

7. Identify relevant certifications and specialties

Always ensure the agent you select has an active real estate license from your state of residence. You can perform a search on your candidate’s licenses through Arello, a real estate license verification database.

Next, cross-check the numbers with your state’s licensing division online to see when the license was issued and if there are any temporary suspensions or complaints on file. (All the agents in the HomeLight network that we’d connect you with must carry an active real estate license for their state.)

Some real estate agents may also complete additional training to specialize in a particular transaction type.

8. Ask the agent to share their selling strategy

Do you and the agent see eye-to-eye on selling strategy? To find out, consider asking the agent how they plan to market your property, what their estimated timelines are, and how they plan to conduct open houses.

You may also want to inquire about lead time on showings and discuss how to best determine the list price for your home.

9. Review our “Final Agent Selection” checklist

Think you’ve found your agent? Do a final once-over to make sure your agent checks all the boxes.

Final Agent Selection Checklist For Home Sellers:

[  ]  Is the agent licensed in my state?

[  ]  Does the agent have additional training and/or certifications that could be beneficial for my circumstances?

[  ]  Am I comfortable with the agent’s communication style?

[  ]  Does the agent appear to have integrity, professionalism, and overall friendliness?

[  ]  Are they familiar with my neighborhood and local community?

[  ]  Does the agent have experience with my specific selling circumstances and needs?

[  ]  Do they have a positive reputation in the community and online?

[  ]  Has the agent built a professional local network if we need contractors?

[  ]  Do they have proven and recent results? (sale-to-list price ratio and average days on market)

[  ]  Are they an experienced negotiator?

[  ]  Did the agent answer my questions clearly and to my satisfaction?

[  ]  Did the agent give me an up-front quote in writing?

10. Select your agent and sell your home

You’ve researched top agents online and through HomeLight. You’ve compiled a list of names, interviewed at least three agents, and last but not least, ran through the final agent selection checklist. But maybe you’re still on the fence about which agent to choose. Kinder’s advice? Go with the person you trust.

“This is someone who’s going to come into your home,” says Kinder. “They’re going to help you with the biggest sale you’ve ever had, and you want to make sure that it’s somebody you’re confident with.”

And remember, if there comes a time along the home-selling path when you’re not 100% confident your agent is performing as expected or promised, don’t hesitate to take action.

“You have a contract with that particular real estate company, and that’s something you’ll have to review with the agent, the broker, and if all else fails — you may need to contact an attorney,” advises Kinder.

In the end, it’s your property that you’re selling. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best.

Header Image Source: (Stanislav Kondratiev / Unsplash)