How to Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home

Choosing a Realtor to sell your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

I know because I picked the wrong agent when my wife and I sold ours, and it cost us.

Months on the market.

High stress.

And selling our house for much less than we should have.

That was before I got into real estate.

Since then, I’ve seen what separates good listing agents from the rest.

That’s why there’s no chance I’d make the same choice today.

The biggest mistake I made was putting too much weight on “local experience” and not enough on the qualifications that actually matter.

Should you choose a real estate agent who knows your area?

Absolutely.

But local experience alone can still lead you to the wrong agent if you don’t know what else to look for.

Here are 5 steps to help you choose the right agent to sell your home, including the red flags to avoid.

1. Know what to look for in a Realtor

You should like the agent you go for.

But likability doesn’t mean they have what it takes to get you top dollar.

Here are the three key qualifications to look for when choosing a Realtor.

Low dual agency history

Steer clear of agents who have a history of dual agency (representing both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction).

Why? 

Because these are the agents with questionable integrity.  

An agent earns two commissions when representing both sides in a sale. 

That’s a setup that puts their paycheck ahead of a seller’s best interests.

I’ve seen sellers think they were “protected,” then realize the agent was playing both sides.

Can’t you just tell your listing agent not to represent the buyer?

Sure.

But an alarming history of dual agency sales is one of the warning signs of a bad agent. 

It reveals a pattern of consistently prioritizing commission over loyalty.

The percentage of dual agent transactions to look for varies by market. 

But here’s a good rule of thumb…

Select an agent who has represented both the seller and buyer in less than 10% of their sold listings. 

Anything higher, and there’s a good chance that you’re choosing someone with questionable character. 

Cancellable listing agreement

You’ll sign a listing agreement with the real estate agent you pick. 

All home sellers do.

But the standard agent contract is exclusive and forces you to pay the full commission if you cancel early. 

That makes it difficult (and awkward) to fire your agent if things go wrong.

And it essentially guarantees the agent’s commission, no matter how well they perform.

Some real estate agents take advantage of this.

How?

By overpromising before locking you in.

And then shifting their focus to finding new clients after you’ve signed.

That’s one reason a listing can sit on the market too long, which almost always results in a lower sale price.

So look for a Realtor who offers a cancellable listing agreement (without owing a commission).

This isn’t standard.

But a good listing agent will be confident enough to earn your trust.

Relevant selling experience

The right agent brings experience that’s directly relevant to your home.

That means selling properties in your area, price range, and homes similar in size, condition, and type.

Experience like this matters.

Because selling a $1.2M single-family home isn’t the same as listing a $600k condo.

The pricing, marketing, and negotiation strategy must match the property.

The takeaway?

A real estate agent with relevant selling experience will know what buyers expect from homes like yours and how to market them accordingly.

2. Find and shortlist potential agents

Don’t assume the first real estate agent you find is the best choice.

Some agents may look promising at first glance but lack the right qualifications to sell your home.

That’s why it’s smart to consider at least two or three listing agents before making your decision.

You can ask friends and family for referrals, visit open houses, or walk into a local brokerage.

You can also match with top local agent using our free service at SoldNest.

But depending on where you find them, not every agent will be worth your time.

You can avoid a wasted conversation (or getting swayed by the wrong agent) by reviewing each one online first.

Evaluate the agent’s online presence

A quick web search can reveal subtle red flags that will help you avoid choosing the wrong agent.

Here’s what to look for:

• Review red flags: A five-star rating doesn’t tell the full story. Read reviews from home sellers and look for repeated complaints about poor communication, pricing issues, or deceptive tactics. One or two bad reviews might be noise — but consistent negative patterns should raise concerns.
• Outdated sales history: Years of experience might sound impressive, but recent results matter more. Focus on agents who’ve sold homes like yours — in your area — within the last few years. If you can’t find relevant seller-side transactions, consider it a red flag.
• Weak social media presence: Check platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. A well-maintained presence often signals that a Realtor is active, engaged, and knows how to market a home. A neglected or outdated profile could signal a passive approach to marketing — or that they’re not keeping up with how today’s buyers search for homes.

But don’t get swooned by the wrong decision-making factors when exploring agents online.

Because some sellers (and buyers) do.

Take Zillow, for example.

Agents who are highlighted as “Premier Agents” on Zillow pay for that designation.

That means any Realtor can have that accolade slapped next to their name — as long as they pay for it.

Now, a seller thinks those agents are “qualified.”

And they very well may be…

But without verifying the right criteria, that Realtor could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

3. Pressure-test each agent

Choosing a Realtor means trusting someone to handle one of the biggest financial transactions of your life.

The agent you select will directly impact how much your house sells for (and how fast).

So this step deserves real attention.

Start with a phone call: Kick things off with a brief call to gauge the agent’s responsiveness, professionalism, and communication style. Share a quick overview of your home and what’s most important to you. Listen for clear, confident answers when they talk about their pricing approach, local experience, and how they guide sellers throughout the process. This short conversation will give you a preview of what you should expect from an agent and help you decide whether it’s worth meeting in person.

Set up a face-to-face meeting (or video call): The listing consultation is where you dig deeper. A strong listing agent will come prepared with local market data, a marketing plan, commission breakdown, and a strategy tailored to your goals and timeline (not a generic pitch). You’ll also get a sense of their confidence, authenticity, and commitment. Some agents will bring a preliminary comparative market analysis (CMA) or follow up with one after viewing your home. Either way, this meeting is the core component that will help you choose the right agent. The key is knowing which interview questions to ask a real estate agent.

Pay attention to how they communicate: A good Realtor doesn’t just talk — they listen. They clearly explain their selling strategy and make you feel heard. How an agent communicates can indicate whether they’ll be reliable throughout the process. If they dodge specifics or focus more on selling themselves than selling your home, they’re likely not the right fit.

Pressure-testing agents takes a little effort up front.

But it can save you from choosing the wrong Realtor.

4. Compare what sets each listing agent apart

Now it’s time to step back and evaluate what you’ve learned about the agents.

Your goal here isn’t to pick the most charming or persuasive person.

It’s to identify which agent is most capable of selling your home for the best price, on your terms.

You can do that by taking these steps to narrow your selection. 

Review each agent’s marketing strategy

The right Realtor will have a targeted approach to attract your home’s ideal buyer. 

That starts with how they plan to market your listing.

At a minimum, their plan should include:

• Professional photos
• Listing on the MLS (multiple listing service)
• Syndication across major real estate sites
• Open houses and broker tours.

But that’s just the baseline.

Look for additional marketing tools like:

• Video
• Drone photos/video
• Custom brochures
• Floor plan
• Staging
• Social media ads.

What matters most is that their marketing strategy feels tailored.

It should identify the buyers most likely to be interested in your home.

And then leverage the right marketing tools to reach those buyers. 

Focus on criteria that actually matter

There’s a big difference between a good real estate agent and an average one.

An average agent will tell you why they’re the right choice.

But a good agent will show you proof. 

Now’s the time to revisit the criteria that are critical when deciding who to sell with.

Do they have the right experience? Did they show you recent homes they’ve sold in your area that are similar to yours — where they were the listing agent? That’s what counts. They don’t need a long list of sales in your area. But they should have at least a few closed listings that show they’ve successfully sold homes like yours.

Did you get their dual agency history? Were they willing to show you how often they’ve represented both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction? Looking at this over the past three years is enough to spot an alarming pattern. As a reminder, anything over 10% of an agent’s sold listings where they’ve acted as a dual agent typically is a red flag.

Will you be locked into a contract? Did they offer a listing agreement you can cancel without owing a commission? A reliable agent keeps you because they earn your trust, not because you’re stuck.

A polished sales pitch won’t sell your house.

So favor the agent who makes it easy to say yes with facts.

Avoid agents who suggest an inflated list price

Some agents are very skilled at convincing homeowners they can sell their house for an unrealistically high price. 

I learned this the hard way.

The agent I sold my home with positioned himself as a neighborhood expert, so I trusted his pricing.

That pricing backfired after the house took six months and three price reductions to sell.

Here’s what usually happens…

The seller will get an opinion about what their home is worth from one or more agents. 

And one of those agents persuades the seller that their home’s value is higher than it is. 

So the seller chooses that agent. 

The overpriced listing hits the market, and the asking price discourages buyers from visiting. 

Then, after the home has been sitting for longer than it should, the agent tells the seller they should reduce the price. 

The end result? 

A stale listing with a final sale price that’s lower than it would have been if the home had been priced competitively from the start. 

And the seller is still required to pay a commission to their listing agent. 

Here’s how you can avoid this… 

Don’t select a Realtor whose price is substantially higher than that of other agents you consider. 

The convincing speech about pocketing more money may seem tempting, but don’t fall for it. 

Because here’s the thing… 

Your home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. 

And if that price is substantially high?

Then an experienced real estate agent with a reputable track record will get it for you.

5. Pick the right Realtor

Now it’s time to select your agent.

By this point, you’ve:

• Interviewed agents
• Compared strategies 
• Evaluated the criteria that matters.

If one agent clearly stands out, trust the process that got you here.

Still torn between two? 

Think back to your conversations. 

Who seemed more transparent? 

Which agent showed more attention to detail? 

Who made you feel like a priority, and not just another listing?

Before you decide, follow up to find out how many clients they’re currently working with.

This is a valuable tiebreaker that many sellers overlook.

An overloaded real estate agent may not have the bandwidth to give your sale the focus it deserves.

While there’s no set number, more than seven active clients (buyers and sellers combined) could be a sign they’re stretched too thin.

So choose the person who not only feels right, but also has the time to focus on getting you the best price and terms.

Make the final call

When you’ve made your choice, let the agent know you’re ready to move forward.

They’ll walk you through the hiring process and explain the next steps.

This is when your partnership will officially begin.

And when you should align on your timeline and what needs to happen when.

Choose your agent with confidence

The real estate agent you pick matters.

Your decision will affect how quickly your house sells and how much money you take home. 

The key?

Follow the steps we discussed and make sure you know what to look for. 

That’s how you’ll get a professional who has the qualities you need:

• Proven experience selling homes like yours
• Stellar feedback from sellers
• A low rate of acting as a dual agent
• A contract you can cancel anytime.

Our no-cost, no-obligation service makes it easy to get matched with a top local agent who checks every box.

Learn how it works and connect with an agent best-qualified to sell your home for the highest possible price.