29 July 2025
Hiring the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. But for many sellers, the process feels overwhelming. Based on research from 1000 Watts, nearly half of homeowners admit they didn’t really know what to look for, and many say all agents seemed the same. That’s a tough place to start when you’re about to make one of the biggest financial moves of your life.
The truth is, choosing the right agent shouldn’t be about who has the flashiest marketing or the most signs around town. It should be about who has the systems, experience, and approach to support you through the entire process — emotionally and strategically.
If you’re thinking about selling, here are some smart, thoughtful questions to ask. They’ll help you go beyond surface-level promises and get a clearer picture of who’s truly prepared to guide you.
Start by asking how they price homes and what they do if the home doesn’t get offers right away. Pricing isn’t about picking a number and hoping for the best. It should involve a clear, data-driven process using recent comparable sales and a deep understanding of local market trends. Just as important, a good agent should already have a strategy in place if your home doesn’t generate immediate activity — one that’s based on proactive adjustments, not panic.
Next, ask for examples of similar homes they’ve sold. What were the list prices, and what were the final sale prices? It’s easy for someone to say they get top dollar, but what matters is how they price, market, and negotiate to get there. Listen carefully to how they explain their pricing rationale and how their results compare to other similar properties.
You’ll also want to know exactly how they plan to market your home, and what kind of budget is behind that plan. In today’s market, great marketing is essential. Professional photos, video walkthroughs, staging, targeted online ads, and wide syndication are all part of creating strong buyer interest. Ask for specifics. The more detailed the plan, the more confidence you can have that your home will stand out.
Ask how they handle multiple offers, and don’t settle for a generic answer. It’s one thing to receive multiple offers, but another to navigate them strategically. The right agent will know how to create competition, negotiate terms, and guide you toward the best outcome, which is not always about the highest price.
Neighborhood experience is another big one. Ask how many homes they’ve sold in your area over the last couple of years and what they’ve learned about the typical buyer profile. An agent who knows your neighborhood inside and out will be better equipped to price effectively and speak to what makes your home appealing to buyers.
Since real estate is rarely a one-person show, ask about their team and support systems. Who handles the day-to-day details, marketing, scheduling, and communication? The goal is to understand how they’ll keep everything running smoothly and make sure you’re informed at every step.
Finally, dig a little deeper. Ask them to walk you through their toughest deal in the past year. What went wrong, how did they fix it, and are they willing to connect you with that client as a reference? Every transaction has its challenges. What sets a great agent apart is how they handle them — with calm, creativity, and commitment to the client.
The bottom line is this: Selling your home is a big deal, and you deserve more than vague promises. When you know the right questions to ask, you’re more likely to find someone who not only knows how to sell a house, but also how to guide you through the experience with confidence and care.
Want more tips like these? Follow along at
Leigh Kaminsky – Bel Air MD Realtor
https://www.facebook.com/LeighKaminskyBelairMDRealtor