What questions should I ask when interviewing real estate agents to sell my house?

Ask how they'll price your house and why. If they're way higher or lower than the others, ask them to back it up with comps. Ask how long their recent listings took to sell and at what percentage of asking price. Find out their marketing plan. Do they just throw it on the MLS or are they doing professional photos, virtual tours, social media, open houses? How often will they communicate with you and give you feedback from showings? Ask what happens if the house doesn't sell in 30 or 60 days. Will they push you to drop the price immediately or do they have other strategies? And honestly, trust your gut. If someone feels pushy or dismissive of your questions, move on. You want someone who listens and explains things clearly, not someone who just wants the listing.

Some important items to consider 1. How will you price my home? You want a clear strategy, not just a number. 2. How will you get me the highest price? Listen for a plan to create demand and attract multiple offers, not just “list it and wait.” 3. What marketing will you actually do? Look for professional photos, strong online exposure, and a real plan—not just MLS. 4. How will you communicate with me? Make sure expectations are clear. Poor communication is a common issue. 5. What should I fix (and what should I skip)? A good agent will help you avoid wasting money on unnecessary updates. Doing updates often help the agent sell more quickly, but does it NET you more money? 6. What’s your plan if it doesn’t sell quickly? You want someone with a backup strategy, not just “we’ll lower the price.” *** Most important (and often overlooked): You’ll be working closely with this person—make sure you actually like them and feel comfortable. Ask yourself: Do they listen to me? Do I trust them? Do we communicate well? 👉 The right fit = smoother process + better decisions + better outcome.

You’re already on the right track asking about sales and marketing. Where most sellers fall short is not digging into how the agent actually thinks and operates. A few key questions will quickly separate an average agent from a strong one: 1. How would you price my home, and why? You are not looking for the highest number. You are looking for a clear, data-backed explanation using a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis report). Ask what happens if it does not sell in the first 2 to 3 weeks. 2. How will you handle and negotiate offers? Ask for a real example. The goal is to understand how they create leverage, not just how they respond to offers. 3. What is your communication style and frequency? You want to know how often you will hear from them and how proactive they are during the process. 4. What are the biggest risks or challenges with my home? A good agent will answer this directly. If they avoid it, that is a red flag. 5. How do you handle it if the home does not sell quickly? This tells you whether they have a plan or just hope the market does the work. Pay attention to how they answer, not just what they say. The best agents will be specific, direct, and comfortable having honest conversations. If everything sounds overly optimistic or vague, that usually shows up later when decisions matter. The goal is not just to hire someone who can list your home. It is to hire someone who can guide strategy, manage the process, and negotiate in a way that puts more money in your pocket.

Ask questions to learn about their strategy and skill not just questions about commission. Ask what their marketing strategy is and what separates them from other agents, learn about their pricing strategy, their negotiation skills, and most importantly their communication and availability!