Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

Selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make—not to mention one of the most complex. That’s why choosing the right real estate agent matters. Your agent will be your guide, strategist, and advocate throughout the process. So you need to work with a rock star who knows their stuff and gels with you.
But how do you know you’ve found the one? Simple. You ask the right questions. The questions below will help you evaluate if you have found a good real estate agent. Ask these to assess their expertise, compatibility with your goals, and the value they bring when selling your home.
Choosing Your Selling Agent Tips
As you prepare to interview real estate professionals, remember a few things:
- Interview multiple real estate agents–about three, at minimum. That way, you can compare their styles, agent plans for marketing and list pricing.
- Don’t sign any listing agreement until you’ve spoken to all your agents.
- In the end, the listing price is your decision. The agent gives a recommendation based on market factors and comparative market analysis.
- Look at the whole package, not just agent compensation. What services will they provide?
With these in mind, let’s interview those seller agent candidates!

Questions About Real Estate Agent Experience
An agent’s experience can make all the difference in how smooth and successful your home-selling process will be. Ask about their background to ensure they know the ropes:
How long have you been a real estate agent?
Tenure helps understand industry trends and navigate unexpected real estate market challenges. The longer you’ve been around, the more they’ve “seen it all.” Bonus points if they’ve weathered multiple market cycles.
That’s not to say newer real estate agents can’t do a great job–they absolutely can! Every professional starts somewhere, after all. In this case, ask when they started and who they’re learning from. You’re figuring out if they’ve put in their homework to learn about real estate regulations and the neighborhoods. Plus, knowing they have a mentor backing them means they have an experienced agent to give advice if a sticky situation crops up.

How many homes have you sold in the past year?
Pro Tip: Experience isn’t just about time—it’s about results. Look for someone who can combine local know-how with a proven track record.
This question will give you a tangible measure of their activity level and success. If they recently sold homes, they’re likely actively tuned into the local market and committed to working as real estate professionals. Some people are in real estate as a side hustle and only work at it part-time.
Another benefit of the question is that it will gauge whether a newer real estate agent can deliver a successful home sale by assessing whether they’ve navigated a few this year.
Have you sold homes in this neighborhood or area?
Real estate is hyper-local. An agent who knows your neighborhood will also understand your target buyer and the features they value most (hello, walk-in closets or sunny porches!). This knowledge will help them tailor their marketing strategy to attract potential buyers quickly to your home.
They also know how to sell the entire area around the neighborhood. Real estate isn’t all about houses; it’s about the lifestyle. Savvy agents know how to sell the big picture.

Do you have experience selling…?
Your house may have something unique about it. Perhaps it’s a condominium, or maybe it’s a historic home with conservation easements on it. Maybe you’re selling a farm or a piece of vacant land. Some niches benefit from seller’s agents who know the particulars of selling that kind of real estate. Many real estate agents build their careers by becoming niche specialists.
How many clients are you currently representing?
You’re looking to see if the real estate professional has the time to invest in marketing and selling your house. They certainly don’t need “zero” or “one,” to do a good job, but as the numbers climb, you’ll want to see if they have a team supporting their efforts. Additionally, if they work with buyers and sellers, they could know the right buyer for your home. Another question to ask along this topic is the ratio of representing buyers to sellers. There is no magic answer, but rather a way of assessing their skill set and how committed they are to representing homeowners.
Questions About Marketing Plans
Your front yard’s “For Sale” sign is not the only way to attract home buyers. If that’s all you did, chances are the interest in buying your home will be extremely low.
You want a seller’s agent who will approach marketing your home like launching an Oscar-worthy movie premiere. Someone who leverages local market knowledge and the latest tech tools to ensure you sell quickly. Ask:
How will you market my home?
From online listings to professional photography, in-person showings, and listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), their plan should cover all the angles to attract prospective buyers. See past examples of their marketing materials and online advertising to gauge how they’ll approach your house sale. Discuss if they plan to add in videography or virtual tours.

Do you use social media and digital platforms?
With over 90% of buyers starting their home search online, digital reach is critical. Instagram reels for your backyard oasis? Yes, please. Social media may not be the closer to the home sale, but it can build buzz and excitement for your property.
Will you help with staging or recommend improvements?
Some agents offer additional perks, such as staging consultations to make your home extra appealing. The better your home looks, the stronger its visual and emotional impact on home buyers.
They may also walk through and suggest simple things to get the house ready that cost next to nothing. Sometimes we get blinders to the flaws in our homes–the “ah, that drawer always sticks,” or “third stair is the squeaky stair.” But those are the little things home buyers will notice.
Open houses are another crucial aspect of the marketing strategy. They provide an excellent opportunity for buyer exposure and allow agents to showcase your property effectively. Will they or their team help get the house ready for this kind of event?
Nothing catches attention like expert marketing. Ensure your real estate agent’s strategy includes traditional and innovative methods.
Questions About Pricing
Pricing your home correctly from day one is the most significant factor in a successful sale. The best agent doesn’t always suggest the highest price.
The right price attracts buyers; the wrong price repels them. Then, the house lingers on the market, leading to price adjustments and less provocative buyer offers. Landing on the right the listing price is crucial. Some questions to ask a real estate agent when selling to evaluate their pricing expertise:
What pricing strategy do you recommend for my home?
A good agent will find the sweet spot between a competitive starting price and maximizing your home’s value. They’ll also factor in if you need a quick sale or can wait when recommending the best price.
How do you determine the listing price?
Ask about tools like comparative market analysis (CMA) reports. A savvy real estate agent will bring some CMAs with them when they have their meeting with you. They use the CMA, recent market trends, and a walkthrough of your home to arrive at that magic number for the sale price.
What’s your track record for homes selling at or above the asking price?
This is a subtle way to gauge whether their pricing and negotiation strategies actually work in real life, not just on paper. Beware of listing agents who promise unrealistic listing prices to win your business. It’s not a good sign when buyer agents comment that the property is priced too high. The more days on the market, the more buyers wonder if something is wrong with the property. It’ll also frustrate you as you wonder why more buyers aren’t touring your property.
Questions About Communication
An open line of communication is essential. A good real estate agent keeps you in the loop with what’s happening at each stage. They’ll also use tools that help coordinate the scheduling of showing and home inspections. Learn how often you and your seller’s agent will stay in touch and who will do what. Ask:
How often will we communicate?
Find out whether they prefer calls, emails, or texts—and how frequently you can expect buyer interest and feedback updates. Some real estate companies and agents also use apps that streamline the home showing scheduling process. They’ll discuss how that works with you. Additionally, if they are part-time agent, there may be times of day when they are unavailable to respond to messages. Even if not, there simply may be times on their calendar when they won’t answer right away. For example, they blocked off Friday nights for attending their kid’s games.

Will I be working directly with you or a team?
Some agents delegate tasks to a team. This is fine as long as the roles are clearly defined and you’re comfortable working with multiple people, including other agents. Know who your main point of contact is at all times, but also the names of who else you’ll hear from. For instance, a transaction coordinator may track the paperwork between the buyers, sellers, loan officers, and other parties.
How will you provide updates about buyer interest and feedback?
Knowing whether they’ll send weekly updates or just call as needed will help set expectations upfront. Good communication is like great coffee—it keeps you energized and informed. Make sure your listing agent delivers.
Questions About Negotiation and Closing
Once a purchase offer is on the table, you’ll want someone as sharp as a tack when negotiating and navigating the closing process. Here’s what to ask to assess their problem-solving chops:
What’s your approach to handling offers and negotiations?
The best seller agents are confident and strategic, balancing your interests with market knowledge. They know your home’s positive attributes and drawbacks like the back of their hand. They use all this information to craft a compelling case for the list price and any contingencies.

How will you vet the potential buyer?
Homes in a certain price range or area, such as a gated community, may not want constant traffic from home buyers. The real estate agent certainly doesn’t want to waste time showing a million-dollar property to a buyer who can’t afford it. Ask how buyers will be vetted for their financial qualifications in such cases.
Even at the median home prices, home sellers still need to know if the potential buyer can follow through with the sale. What documentation will the seller’s agent ask to see to show it is a serious purchase offer?
How do you handle challenges during the closing process?
Whether unexpected repairs or buyer financing hiccups occur, the seller’s response will say a lot about their ability to tackle roadblocks. Most transactions encounter bumps in the road, but a smart seller’s agent treats them as minor blips rather than sinkholes that swallow momentum or reroute the sale.
Can you explain the costs I’ll incur during the sale?
No one likes surprises—especially not regarding fees or closing costs. Your agent should walk you through every expense on their end, including the real estate commissions and any required paperwork fees.
Understanding the listing agreement is essential. This legal document typically binds you to the agent for a specified timeframe. The listing contract outlines the duration and commission structure, which can impact the closing expenses on your end.
Confidence and clarity in negotiation can mean thousands of dollars in your pocket. Choose wisely.
How do you handle dual agency?
Some states allow for dual agency, where the agent represents the buyer and the seller. Others require a dual agency notice and information about how it is handled as part of the listing contract. Ask about dual agency in your market and how any such scenario would be navigated according to regulations.
Questions About Performance Metrics
Finally, round out your interview by asking for concrete numbers and references to support their claims.
What is your average time on the market for listings?
A shorter time on the market is usually a good indicator that they know how to price and market a house effectively. Compare their time on the market to the current median days on the market locally. Don’t use statewide or national measures. Real estate markets are hyper-local, even down to specific neighborhood blocks.
What’s your average sale-to-list price ratio?
This shows how close their listings sell to the asking price, highlighting their pricing and negotiation skills. It shows whether they know their stuff when it comes to pricing and buyer demand.
Do you have client references I can contact?
As they say, the proof is in the pudding—or in this case, the glowing reviews from satisfied clients. Don’t just take an agent’s word or the online reviews. Ask their past clients to confirm their professionalism, skills, and results.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Many agents leave it to you to get the house ready to sell. How you go about it can make a difference in the final sales price and the speed of the sale. Ask a real estate agent what can be done to appeal to the right buyers.
How should I get my house ready for showings?
To prepare your home for showings, the real estate agent should recommend areas to declutter. They may point out unnecessary items, including furniture, decorations, and personal belongings. This will help prospective buyers envision themselves living in the home. Sometimes, they may recommend a deep home clean, paying attention to details such as dusting, vacuuming, and polishing fixtures. Consider hiring a professional cleaner to ensure the home is spotless.
Additionally, the agent may recommend key home repairs, like fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in the walls, and replacing broken light fixtures. Consider hiring a handyman or contractor to help with these tasks.

Will you help stage my home, or do you work with a stager?
A real estate professional can provide guidance on staging your home for the best price. Some may recommend working with a professional stager to create a beautiful and inviting space. The stager will work with you to identify the home’s best features and create a plan to showcase them. Occasionally the brokerage has home staging as an option as part of their included services.
What are the best selling features of my house?
Every house has unique selling features. Good agents highlight these when preparing your home for sale. Some common selling features include:
- Natural light: If your home has large windows or skylights, highlight this feature by opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
- Hardwood floors: If your home has hardwood floors, consider refinishing them to make them shine.
- Outdoor spaces: If your home has a backyard or patio, consider adding outdoor furniture and decorations to create an inviting space.
- Upgrades: If you’ve made any recent upgrades to the home, such as new appliances or fixtures, highlight these features to potential buyers.
See if your potential real estate agent recognizes the key differences in your home compared to others on the market nearby. It will also give you an idea of how they may market the home.
Finding the Perfect Partner for Your Home-Selling Journey
Selling real estate involves many steps, but choosing the right real estate agent makes it a little easier. Ask these key questions to ask a real estate agent when selling help one aligned with your goals. You want someone with expertise and communication skills to make your home-selling experience seamless and successful.
We’ve created a free checklist of essential questions to ensure you’re asking the right ones. Download it today and start interviewing agents who could be the perfect partner for your home-selling success.
Finding the right agent has never been easier—or more important. Don’t leave something as significant as selling your house to chance.
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Preston Guyton
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