What should I not tell my realtor when selling?

Your real estate agent works for you, and in your best interest. In most state they have a fiduciary responsability to leagally and ethically work in yoru highest and best interest. Therefore, its in your best interest to disclose everything you can. In simple terms, think of them as your defense attorney. They are on your side and need to knwo all the information to advise you and help you. I fell that if you hold something back, your are actually hurting yourself. Your real estate agent is your advocate.

In general, you should not tell your realtor any personal or confidential information, such as your financial situation, plans for the future, or any information that could be used against you. Additionally, you should not disclose any information that could affect the sale of your property, such as any negative aspects of the property, any problems that may not have been disclosed, or changes to the property’s condition.

Your agent works for you, and in most cases you should be an open book with them so they can represent you effectively. But there are a few things worth keeping close. Don't volunteer your absolute bottom line price. Your agent needs to know your general expectations, but telling them "I'd honestly take $280K if I had to" can unconsciously anchor their negotiation efforts at that number instead of fighting for more. Give them a range and let them push for the top of it. Don't share personal financial desperation. If you tell your agent "we have to sell by June or we're going to lose the house," that urgency can leak into negotiations even with the best intentions. Your agent has a fiduciary duty to keep your information confidential, but the less pressure they feel, the stronger they negotiate on your behalf. If there is a hard deadline, share it, but frame it as a preference rather than a panic. Don't overshare about personal conflicts driving the sale. "We're getting divorced and need this done yesterday" or "I hate this house and just want out" are things that can subtly influence how your agent positions the sale. Keep the emotional context minimal and focus on the business side. Do tell your agent about every known defect, repair, and issue with the property. That's not optional, it's a legal obligation. Withholding material defects from your agent puts both of you at legal risk. Do tell them your realistic timeline, your financial goals for the sale, and any constraints on showings or closing dates. The more your agent understands the business parameters, the better they can structure the deal to serve your interests.

🤝 First, Know This: Your Realtor is on your team. Anything you share with them in the course of your listing is confidential—legally and ethically. So while there are some things you can keep private, you usually don’t have to. That said, there are a few categories where oversharing might cause complications, not help the process. 🛑 Things You Might Not Want to Tell Your Realtor (at least not right away): 1. "I’m Desperate to Sell No Matter What" Even though your agent is working for you, if that kind of statement somehow gets relayed (directly or indirectly) to buyers or buyer’s agents, it could weaken your negotiation position. It's better to say: “I’d like to sell quickly if possible—what can we do to make the timeline work in our favor?” 2. Too Much About Personal Drama Family disagreements, relationship stress, or neighbor feuds don’t typically need to be disclosed unless they directly affect the property’s sale or condition. Focus on what impacts the house, not the household. 3. Legal Trouble or Pending Lawsuits (Unless Property-Related) If it’s unrelated to the property, your agent usually doesn’t need to know. But if it does affect your ability to sell (liens, divorce, probate, etc.), then it’s best to be upfront so they can help you navigate it properly and protect your interests. 💰 What About Financial Info? You don’t have to reveal your personal net worth or exact debt situation unless it affects your ability to sell, price the home, or cover costs like repairs, closing fees, or relocation. If you're tight on funds for repairs or prep, telling your agent can actually help—many experienced agents (myself included) have creative solutions, like: Staging consultations Vendor partnerships with delayed payment As-is strategies Seller credits or pricing adjustments 🗣 How to Set Boundaries (Gracefully): If something feels too personal or you’re not sure if it’s relevant, just say: “I have a few personal circumstances I’m working through, but let’s focus on what directly impacts the sale. If anything comes up that affects the process, I’ll be sure to let you know.” That keeps things respectful, professional, and focused—without awkwardness. ✅ Final Word: A great Realtor won’t dig for gossip or make you feel pressured to share more than you're comfortable with. The goal is to build trust, create a strategy, and work toward your goals—without judgment and with full confidentiality. And hey, if you're ever unsure whether to share something—just ask them. No offense taken, and no hard feelings from us when we know someone is being genuine.

Disclose to your realtor the truth, you are under " Seller Disclosure "

Business is business and as much as it is in both parties interest to have a cordial, friendly working relationship. Your personal life is your personal life, share whatever you feel comfortable sharing that is relevant to selling the property but be factual with anything about the property. If the experience goes well and you become long life friends, great! If you think you need to share for example, I need to get this hose sold to avoid a circumstance and that is important to you, then share it.

Well we get that question a lot. The best answer is to disclose to your realtor the Truth, that is why a "Seller Disclosure" questioner is given to you. Walk-through with your agent is important so you can catch things in advance.