The Smart Seller’s Guide:

15 Questions That Reveal the Truth About a Real Estate Agent

Hiring the right agent isn’t about charm or confidence — it’s about capability, judgment, and trust. The smartest sellers look beyond marketing slogans and ask the questions that uncover how an agent actually thinks. Before you sign a listing agreement, ask these. Then listen closely not just to the answers, but to the depth, transparency, and strategy behind them.

1. Strategy & Vision

You’re not hiring an order-taker — you’re hiring a strategist. These questions uncover how your agent thinks about market forces, timing, and positioning.

• How do you decide whether to lead or follow the market when setting a price?
• What’s your philosophy on timing — and how does that change in a shifting market?
• When a home doesn’t get immediate traction, what’s your first move?
• How do you decide if a home should be listed quietly, pre-marketed, or launched publicly?
• What’s one thing most sellers misunderstand about selling in today’s market?

2. Process & Execution

Preparation, project management, and discipline create results. The right agent runs listings like a production, not a reaction.

• What’s your approach to preparing a home for market — and how do you decide what’s worth doing?
• Who manages the vendors, budgets, and timelines before launch?
• How do you ensure the listing process stays on schedule and on message?
• What’s your communication rhythm once we’re live on the market?

3. Marketing with Intent

Marketing isn’t just exposure — it’s persuasion. The goal isn’t to be seen by everyone, it’s to be desired by the right buyers.

• What’s your philosophy on storytelling in marketing a home?
• How do you ensure my home’s online presence captures buyers in the first few seconds?
• Which marketing channels actually drive buyer engagement, and which are just noise?
• Can you share an example of how your marketing directly changed the outcome for a past seller?

4. Negotiation & Advocacy

A great negotiator knows how to create leverage before the first offer arrives.

• How do you establish negotiation power before we even list?
• What’s your approach to multiple-offer situations — and to offers that fall short?
• How do you protect a seller’s position when you’re also working with the buyer?
• What’s one way you’ve turned a potentially weak offer into a strong one?

5. Partnership & Trust

You’ll be working together closely — so alignment matters.

• What do you value most in your client relationships?
• What kind of sellers do you work best with — and who’s not a good fit?
• How do you measure success beyond the final sale price?
• What would your past sellers say about what it’s like to work with you?

Closing Thought

Selling your home is a test of timing, preparation, and emotional intelligence. The right agent won’t just “get it sold” — they’ll know how to read the market, guide your decisions, and protect your bottom line at every step.

-Alex