If I meet with an agent am I required to hire them?

You are not required to hire the first agent you meet. My recommendation is to interview 3 agents.

You are under zero obligation to hire an agent simply because you met for a "Listing Presentation" or an initial consultation. You are only committed once you sign a "Listing Agreement" or a "Buyer Brokerage Agreement," so feel free to interview at least three candidates to compare their 2026 marketing strategies and commission structures.

Think of it this way... If it is not in writing, it is not legal. So if you have not signed a listing or buyers agreement with this agent you are not required to work with them. If it is not a good fit, then interview other agents to be sure it is a good fit for what you are wanting to accomplish for your real estate goals! Not all agents are a specialist in all areas. Be sure to find the right fit for what your real estate goals are and does that agent have the expertise in that area. Do they have good references? Do they have a history of accomplishing what you want to do with your real estate goals? When you find that agent. Then put it in writing!

If you didnt sign anything they dont have the right to list your home. Once you sign a listing agreement that is when youare locked in with that realtor.

Not at all as long as there is nothing signed!

No, you do not necessarily have to hire the agent if they started working on selling your house after an in-person meeting. You are under no obligation unless you reach a formal agreement with them that is legally binding. Generally speaking, once an agent begins actively marketing and covering all costs associated with listing and promoting the property, it is expected of the owner to enter into a signed contract. That said, whether or not you must use that particular agent will depend on local real estate laws and any commitments you may have made during the meeting itself. If you feel uncomfortable signing any agreement without further research or discussion it would be wise to talk openly about this with your potential agent before agreeing to anything formal. If there’s something specific that makes you feel uneasy about using their services then take some time to discuss this with them first before making any decisions either way. It’s completely understandable for homeowners wanting to maximize their sales results through finding the best options available - so make sure to contact other agents in your local area too!

Meeting with an agent does not mean you have to hire them. It is your choice who you work with, and the agreement becomes binding only after you sign it. Take your time, ask questions, and choose the person who feels like the best fit to represent you and your home.

Hi Joan - Generally, no. In Michigan you’re not obligated to work with an agent until a listing agreement is signed. Meeting with an agent and discussing the details of selling your home doesn’t create a commitment by itself. If you decide to move forward with someone, the terms would be outlined in the listing agreement before anything officially begins

As long as you do not sign an agreement there is no obligation. I suggest interviewing 3 agents based on recommendations. Of the three agents, you are likely to find a good connection with at least one of them. Have a list of questions in advance of interviewing them.

If you have an in-person meeting with a realtor to sell your home, that realtor is not under a contract with you. So you can meet with several different realtors before hiring one. Realtors will not start really working for you until you have formally hired them and both parties have a signed listing agreement.