How to Choose an Agent When You Are Selling a House
From pricing and marketing to negotiation and closing, the right real estate agent will shape your entire selling process. Here's how you can find the best one.
How to Choose an Agent When You Are Selling a House
Selling a home is one of the largest financial decisions you will make, and the agent you choose will have a direct impact on your results. The right agent can help you set a competitive price, attract buyers, market it effectively, negotiate with confidence, and guide you through every step of the transaction with confidence.
With nearly 2 million licensed agents across the country, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why many sellers use a combination of personal recommendations, data-driven research, and professional referral platforms like RealEstateAgents.com, which simplifies the process.
Below is a step-by-step guide to choosing a top-performing listing agent, and how our platform makes it easy by doing the legwork for you.
Ask Family, Friends, and Neighbors
One of the most common ways sellers find a real estate agent is through personal referrals. Ask family or friends who have recently sold a home about their experience. They will be able to give you an idea of how the communication with their agent went, the timeline to selling their home, and how they felt about their agent throughout the process.
Neighbors can also be a fantastic resource. If someone on your street recently sold their home, you can ask which agent they worked with and if they recommend them. Choosing someone who already has proven success in your neighborhood ensures that they understand the local layout, pricing, and buyer demand for the neighborhood.
Check Reviews and other Sources of Data
While personal referrals are valuable, they are only one piece of the puzzle. Data-backed research can give you deeper insight into an agent’s true performance. What we recommend is to consider looking at recent closed sales in your neighborhood and reviewing the average days on the market. A quicker sale could be a positive indicator of the agent, so you can then add that agent to the list of ones you are reviewing. Additionally, look into online reviews and testimonials from past clients. A few more indications to look for are their state licensing status and professional certifications, as well as whether they have a membership with the National Association of REALTORS®.
Apply for a Personalized Agent Match on RealEstateAgents.com
It can be challenging to gather all the information previously mentioned on your own. So instead of starting from scratch, you can begin with a recommendation tailored to your specific needs and location. By filling out a short form, you’ll be matched with local professionals who have already been vetted for sales history, licensing, client reviews, and market expertise. At RealEstateAgent.com we can speed this process up for you.
All you need to do is fill out a short form with your location, selling timeline, and goals. From there, we’ll match you with top-performing agents in your area, agents who have already been vetted based on sales volume, client reviews, local expertise, and more.
Confirm Local Market Expertise
Local knowledge is one of the most important traits that a listing agent can have. Someone who has sold multiple homes in your neighborhood will know current trends, buyer expectations, and the best way to position your property to attract buyers.
Interview your Matches, While Skipping the Hard Part
Furthermore, it's important to ask about an agent’s past performance, which will be another way to evaluate their ability to represent you. Many sellers will ask questions such as: “How many homes have you sold in the past year?” “How similar were they to mine?” These types of questions help determine if the agent has the necessary experience for your transaction.
Need help with what to ask? Check out our guide www.realestateagents.com/resource/the-ultimate-checklist-for-interviewing-real-estate-agents/
Review Their Marketing Strategy
Marketing plays a key role in how quickly your home sells and for what price
A strong marketing plan should include professional photography and staging, detailed listing descriptions, social media advertising, in addition to online promotion. The goal is to attract qualified buyers, not just people who are curious.
Understand Commission & Contract Terms
When working with an agent, you’ll sign a listing agreement that outlines their commission (typically 5-6%, split with the buyer’s agent). Your listing agreement will also outline the duration of the contract and any additional terms or fees. Make sure to review these details carefully before signing.
It's a good idea to ask for a Seller’s Net Sheet, which will give you a breakdown of what you can expect to walk away with after costs, fees, and commissions are deducted from the sale. Requesting this document will help you compare agents and make informed financial decisions. This step also shows you that the agent is thorough and prepared to guide you every step of the way.
Check Credentials and Professionalism
Not all agents hold the same qualifications. Look for professionals who are properly licensed, members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and who hold advanced certifications such as Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) or Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). These designations indicate a higher level of training and experience.
Evaluate Communication Style and Personality Fit
At the end of the day, selling a home is not just about numbers; it's about trust and communication. You will want an agent who listens to your needs, addresses your concerns, explains the process clearly, and responds promptly to questions. Even the most experienced agent on paper with outstanding sales might not be the right fit if their communication style doesn’t align with yours. During your first call or meeting, pay attention to how they respond to your concerns, explain their selling strategy, set expectations, and make you feel comfortable. At the end of the day, your comfort matters. The right agent should feel like a partner, not a salesperson.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a real estate agent when selling a home requires both personal trust and proven performance. Family, friends, and neighbors can provide valuable referrals. Sales data, reviews, and credentials, and then confirm an agent’s professionalism. This process doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming with the use of RealEstateAgents.com. This has streamlined the process by vetting the top agents in your area and matching you with the ones that are best suited to your goals.
By combining trusted recommendations with verified performance data, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you’re choosing the right agent for your home-selling process.
Skip the guesswork, trust the data, and our AI-powered matching method.
