How to pick a real estate agent to sell your home

If you’re planning to sell your home, finding the right real estate agent – or REALTOR^® – will be an important piece of the puzzle. An experienced agent can help you list your home on the market, guide you through the process of finding a buyer, and help you close on the deal. You can also count on a good real estate agent to negotiate with the buyer’s agent to help you sell your home for the best price and terms. Here’s a look at reasons hiring a real estate agent is important and how to find the right one to help you sell your home.

Why hiring a real estate agent matters

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who can help you buy or sell a house and represent you in the transaction. A REALTOR^® is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS^®, which means they must adhere to the NAR code of ethics and may have additional certifications. While you aren’t required to hire an agent to sell your home, you can benefit from their knowledge and experience to help you.

• Decide on a fair listing price: A good real estate agent will have a handle on market conditions and can pull up listing prices for similar homes in the area.
• List your home on the market: Your agent will have your home photographed and listed on the MLS database used by real estate professionals.
• Market the listing: Once the listing is live, your agent will know which platforms to use to promote it to interested buyers.
• Conduct tours and open houses: Your agent can hold open houses and schedule private viewings.
• Help you find a new home: It’s not uncommon for a real estate agent to represent their client in both selling their current home and finding a new home to buy.
• Collect offers: In a seller’s market, it’s quite possible to get offers from multiple interested buyers.
• Negotiate the terms of the purchase agreement: If the buyer is looking to negotiate, your real estate agent can advocate on your behalf.
• Close on your home sale: Once you and the buyer have agreed on the terms of the deal, your agent will facilitate the closing process to make the sale official.

According to 2024 statistics from NAR, 90% of recent sellers worked with a real estate agent to sell their home, and only 6% were for sale by owner (FSBO). The most common reason those who chose not to work with a real estate agent cited was that the home was sold to a relative, friend, or neighbor.

The data also showed that FSBOs usually sell for less than the sale price of similar homes. The median sale price of an FSBO home was $380,000 in 2023, while the median sale price of all homes was $435,000.

Of those sellers who did work with a real estate agent, 87% said they would definitely or probably recommend their agent.

What should I look for in a real estate agent?

There are plenty of working agents to choose from, so you may not know where to start. Here are some good qualities to look for.

Their market experience

It’s wise to hire an agent who has experience in not only listing and selling homes but specifically homes in that local market. A real estate agent with a good handle on the local market will know how to price your home appropriately and tout all the benefits the property has to offer. Some agents specialize in certain types of buyers, like veterans or those moving out of state.

Their sales records

When it comes to hiring a listing agent, you’ll want to find one with a strong sales record. Regardless of market conditions, you’ll need an agent who can secure a strong offer from a buyer and help you close the deal. You can look up a real estate agent’s sales record on online platforms like Redfin^®.

Their commission structure

Historically, the seller pays a 5% – 6% commission fee that is split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. However, new guidelines issued by NAR in 2024 call for buyers to compensate their own agent unless otherwise negotiated. Due to these recent rule changes, it’s important to understand how your agent expects to be compensated. Many real estate agents work under a real estate broker, who receives a portion of their commission.

Their communication style

It’s important to work with an agent who has a communication style that’s compatible with your own. After all, a home sale is a major financial transaction, and it’s important that you’re able to work together well and communicate smoothly.

For example, according to NAR data, 94% of REALTORS^® prefer to communicate with clients via text messaging, 91% prefer to communicate through phone, and 89% prefer to communicate through email.

Their certifications

Beyond getting their real estate license, some agents earn additional certifications to enhance their expertise in the field. These certifications - also known as designations - give the agent specialized knowledge and increased credibility.

For example, a REALTOR^® who has earned the Seller Representative Specialist designation is likely to be more knowledgeable about representing sellers. A Certified Residential Specialist is going to have more experience with home buyers and sellers, as opposed to commercial properties.

How to find an agent to sell your house

If you’re ready to sell your home and need to find a licensed agent to represent you, then here’s how to get started.

1. Make a list of wants and needs

First, consider what you need from your real estate agent. Are you looking for an agent who’s experienced in selling homes in a specific area or neighborhood? Would you prefer an agent who specializes in selling a particular type of home? If you’re hoping to sell your home at a particular price range, you may want to consider an agent who is used to working with similar homes.

2. Ask for referrals

Ask friends, family, or colleagues who have recently sold a home if they would recommend the agent they worked with. According to NAR data, 66% of recent sellers hired a real estate agent who was referred to them or one they’d worked with in the past. The data also shows that REALTORS^® typically earn about 20% of their business from repeat clients, and 21% through referrals from past clients.

3. Check local listings and social media sites

A quick search will get you to listings of real estate agents in your area. The NAR data found that the majority of brokers and agents (66%) have a website they use for their business. 72% of REALTORS^® use Facebook for professional purposes, and 55% use LinkedIn.

4. Read online reviews to narrow down your list

Real estate listing sites often include a section where previous clients can leave reviews of their experience working with their agent. Start a short list of potential agent candidates you come across who seem to have consistently positive reviews. The NAR data found that a real estate agent’s reputation was the most important factor that sellers considered before choosing who to hire.

5. Schedule time to talk to your top choices

Once you’ve found some well-reviewed potential candidates, schedule time to interview each of them. It’s advisable to interview at least 3 candidates before making a selection. You can contact them through contact forms on platforms like Redfin, social media listings, or directly by email or phone.

Questions to ask a real estate agent before you hire them

When it comes time to interview your potential agents, here are some questions to consider asking:

• What services do you offer?
• How much experience do you have selling houses in this area?
• How long are homes typically on the market here?
• How many houses did you sell last year?
• What’s the typical list price to actual sales price ratio for the homes you’ve sold?
• What is your fee?
• What expectations do you have of your clients?
• What is your current availability?
• What is the market like right now?
• Will I be working with you directly or with your team?
• How do you plan to market the listing?

Red flags to look for when picking a real estate agent

As you interview candidates, here are some red flags to look out for that might indicate that the agent isn’t the right fit for you:

• Promising unrealistic sales prices: If the market is slow, but a real estate agent promises you that they can sell your home for well above the asking price, they may be too good to be true. A good agentwill be realistic with you when setting your expectations.
• Poor communication: If a real estate agent takes too long to respond to your communications, it may mean they currently have too many clients to give you the time and attention you deserve.
• Pressuring you to make decisions: A real estate agent should never pressure you to move faster than you’re comfortable with or settle for a lowball offer.
• Lack of knowledge about the market: A real estate agent may have years of experience, but if they’re unfamiliar with the local market, that can put you at a disadvantage.

Redfin’s Partner Agent Network

Redfin Powered by Rocket can be your first stop to browse real estate agents and see the listing prices of similar homes in your area. Our network connects you with experienced agents and helps you reach more potential buyers with your listing.

The bottom line: Picking a real estate agent can be painless

The point of working with a real estate agent is to make your life easier during a real estate transaction and help you get the best result. Remember, the same agent can help you both sell your home and find and purchase a new one. It’s important to find a real estate agent who is experienced in your area, has a strong sales record, and communicates effectively with you.

If you’re selling your home and need to get a new mortgage to buy your next home, you can start the preapproval process today.