10 Things to Do Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
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Evette Zalvino, Contributing AuthorClose
Evette Zalvino Contributing AuthorEvette is just your average HGTV fan who dreams of having a home worthy of being on one of those shows. When she isn't writing for HomeLight, she's working at her local real estate office. In her downtime, you'll find her searching for the next great hiking trail in her area.
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Sam Dadofalza, Associate EditorClose
Sam Dadofalza Associate Editor
Sam Dadofalza is an associate editor at HomeLight, where she crafts insightful stories to guide homebuyers and sellers through the intricacies of real estate transactions. She has previously contributed to digital marketing firms and online business publications, honing her skills in creating engaging and informative content.
If selling your home has been on your mind lately, you’ve probably run through a few “what if” scenarios: what if you listed soon, what if you got a strong offer, what if it all worked out. Reaching out to a real estate professional feels like the next obvious step, especially since they can guide in pricing, marketing, and negotiations. But getting a few things in order first can help you feel more confident and clear going into that first conversation, which is why it helps to understand the things to do before hiring a real estate agent.
Get a Home Value Estimate As You Prepare to Sell
HomeLight’s tool takes into account recent comparable sales records, local market trends, and your home last sale’s price to provide a preliminary estimate of home value in under two minutes.
We asked top-rated professionals what they wish sellers would do (and not do) before contacting them. Here’s what they recommend you get in place before you start talking to a Realtor.
1. Determine your selling goals
Before you can even think about hiring a real estate agent, you need to map out your selling goals. This involves determining the price range you’re willing to accept offers from. Shannan Laudet, a top-rated real estate agent in Bremerton, Washington, advises homeowners to have an offer range that they consider an acceptable offer for their home.
“Having a price range in mind is always helpful because it helps us understand where you’re at,” she says. If the price range is unreasonable, the agent can suggest a range that is more in line with local market conditions.
Along with the price range, you’ll need to think about what timeframe you’re comfortable with and how that might impact the ultimate sale price. Are you willing to accept a lower offer for a quick sale, or do you want to hold out for the best price? Are you willing to negotiate, or are you firm on the price?
Note: If you don’t yet have a price range in mind, you can use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get a sense of your home’s current market value.
2. Know how much equity you have in your home
It’s helpful to know how much equity you have built up in your home before contacting a real estate agent. Home equity is a homeowner’s financial stake in their property that they own free of their mortgage loan obligation.
It’s calculated by taking the current value of your home and subtracting the total cost of the mortgage balance and any additional liens that must be paid off to sell the property.
Ideally, you’ll have enough equity to use as a decent down payment on a new home (if you’re going to be buying a house as well), but at the bare minimum, your equity should be sufficient to cover expenses you’ll need to pay once the house is sold. These include the agent commission and closing costs that will be deducted from your proceeds.
Remember, any remaining mortgage value will need to be paid off once your house is sold.
3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage if you are buying, too
The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) March 2026 Realtors Confidence Index Survey found that 13% of real estate contracts were delayed in the past three months, and 5% of contracts were terminated. Often, mortgage financing issues cause deals to fall through.
Since buying a house while selling one can be tricky for several reasons, get ahead of the game and get pre-approved for a mortgage before you even begin looking for a new home.
4. Research the best time to sell in your area
Life has a crazy way of throwing us a curveball, and sometimes you don’t have a say in when you need to sell your house. However, if you can be more strategic, find out what time of the year is the best time to sell your house in your area.
Housing market trends show that the difference in sale price for homes listed during the peak selling season compared to those listed at the slowest times of year is, in most years, a swing of over 10 percentage points.
Note: You can use HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator to figure out which month is the best time to list. We recommend hiring an agent at least three to six months before the recommended month to sell in order to give yourself enough time to complete pre-listing renovations and repairs.
5. Make necessary repairs
While the NAR report showed that 18% of buyers waived the home inspection contingency, it’s not a secret that some buyers are eager to request it, and would usually slow down or back out of the deal after learning about major home inspection issues. Don’t let your sale fall through or be delayed because there were some repairs that needed to be addressed.
Be proactive and use a repair checklist to make sure your home will pass future home inspections with flying colors. Of course, you can order a home inspection on your own before calling a real estate agent. The inspection report will tell you exactly what needs to be fixed, and then you can start scheduling appointments so the repairs will be completed before the house hits the market.
6. Gather receipts and warranties for home improvements
Real estate agents can use tools like automated valuation models (AVMs) to get information about your house. However, they can tell when a home has been taken care of and when it hasn’t, and they consider that when they suggest a price range for your home.
You can help them come up with a fair price by keeping detailed records of the renovation and remodeling work you’ve put into your house. These records should include any receipts and valid warranties, as well as a rundown of project costs, materials, finishes, and the date the project was completed.
“Having a list like that ready for a Realtor® is huge because it’s all about us being able to enhance the buyer’s perception of value,” Laudet comments.
7. Deep clean and declutter
The moment you decide that you’re going to sell your house, you should start the cleaning and decluttering process. This task can take anywhere from weeks to months from start to finish, but it is a crucial step if you want to get the best price possible.
Deep cleaning the interior of an average house can cost between $200 and $400 per visit, but some companies charge according to the number of cleaners, typically $25 to $80 per cleaner per hour. Of course, the actual costs will depend on factors like the size of the home, the extent of the work that needs to be done, your location, and any additional services you may opt for.
If you’re going to have the exterior of your home professionally pressure-washed (which you should!), the typical price range is between $100 and $700.
Nationwide, top agents agree that failing to declutter and deep clean are the two most damaging mistakes sellers make when preparing their home for the market. When a home feels cluttered or messy, buyers usually don’t connect with it, and that can mean fewer offers or lower ones.
First impressions matter a lot here, and once a buyer is turned off, it’s hard to pull them back in. So this is definitely one of those things you don’t want to skip if you’re trying to get the best price.
8. Refresh the interior
Once the interior is sparkling clean, think about ways you can make your home feel refreshed and new. An easy way to breathe new life into a home is to replace the linens, curtains, and towels throughout the house with fresh ones. Choose neutral colors so the space feels clean, bright, and easy for buyers to picture themselves in.
Other ways you can refresh your home include:
- Replace the existing light bulbs with LED bulbs so the rooms look brighter
- Eliminate (or hide) unnecessary extension cords
- Paint kitchen cabinets and update hardware
- Place a few plants (whether live or faux) throughout the home
Note: The agent you decide to hire may suggest a staging plan, as styling the home helps buyers envision themselves in the home. Staged homes often sell faster and for more money, with many agents reporting offers increase by 1% to 5% compared to similar unstaged properties.
9. Take time to boost curb appeal
In selling a house, first impressions matter, beginning as soon as a potential buyer spots your house from the road. The way your yard looks and how well it’s maintained will leave an impression on potential buyers, so make it a good one.
Fortunately, boosting curb appeal doesn’t mean you have to hire a professional landscaper to overhaul your whole yard. You can do simple things like:
- Pressure wash the exterior of your home, the driveway, walkways, patio, and deck
- Wash the windows, inside and out (remove screens if they’re in poor condition)
- Clean up the yard and remove clutter, debris, and dead plants
- Keep up with regular lawn maintenance tasks like mowing, fertilizing, and watering
- Add fresh mulch to flower beds
10. Start researching top real estate agents near you
As you’re completing this checklist of things to do before hiring a real estate agent, you can start your research into who you should hire. There are about three million real estate agents with active licenses doing business in the United States, so you have a lot of options, but remember: not all agents are equally good.
How do you sift through the millions of agents? You can ask people in your network for referrals, but you can also use HomeLight’s agent matching platform.
We’ve crunched the numbers on real estate data to find top-performing agents in your area. Our platform will match you with three top agents based on their average list-to-sale price, the average time a house they sell is on the market, and client reviews.
Find a Top-Rated Real Estate Agent
HomeLight makes it easy to connect with the best real estate agents in your area. Tell us a bit about your home and when you plan to sell, and we’ll connect you with two to three agent recommendations in minutes.
Once you narrow down your top candidates, reach out and schedule an appointment (in-person, Zoom, or phone) for an interview. In the interview, make sure to ask these questions. These questions will give you insight into their work ethic, experience, availability, marketing strategies, and so much more.
After the interviews, take some time to reflect on the agent’s answers and the overall feel you got from them. They may have amazing credentials and history, but if they rub you the wrong way during the interview, chances are, they may not be the best match.
Note: Traditionally, real estate agents earned a commission of around 5% to 6% of a home’s sale price, split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents, with the seller typically covering the cost. Following changes from the landmark NAR settlement, commissions have been decoupled, allowing buyers to negotiate fees directly with their agents.
This means sellers are no longer required to pay the buyer’s agent fee, though some choose to do so to attract buyers or expedite a sale. Understanding these changes can help you make informed decisions about pricing and strategy. With the commission taken into account, you can better prepare for the costs associated with selling your home.
What not to do before hiring a real estate agent
Once you’ve handled the right prep steps, you’re already setting yourself up for a smoother experience with a real estate agent. Still, there are a few common mistakes that sellers make right before reaching out that can complicate things. Here’s what not to do before hiring a real estate agent:
- Starting major renovations: There’s no guarantee you’ll see a return on investment in these large-scale home improvements.
- Painting the walls: Poor color choices could be buyer-repellent, so it’s worth giving careful thought before picking up the paintbrush.
- Advertising your home: This could cause problems for your agent’s marketing strategy, throwing off their game plan since it takes away their control over timing, messaging, and that fresh “new listing” buzz that usually helps attract the most interest early on.
- Changing the interior design: Switching up your interior design before listing, especially going with bold or highly personal choices, can turn buyers off, since most are looking for a clean, neutral space they can easily picture themselves in.
- Updating fixtures: Updating fixtures can be costly and not worth the investment.
- Upgrading the backyard: The backyard improvements you do may not be in demand in your area.
A top agent understands your market, and they’ll be able to advise you on what upgrades will increase the value of your home and which ones will not. They can help you choose finishes and materials that will give you the most bang for your buck.
Most of all, the right agent will have an extensive network of contractors, landscapers, and home designers that can take your home from “just okay” to “I want that!” with ease. So, roll up your sleeves and focus instead on our list of things to do before hiring an agent and make a solid start to selling your home.
Understand the listing agreement before you sign
Before you officially hire a real estate agent, you’ll be asked to sign a listing agreement, and it’s more than just a formality. This contract outlines your working relationship, your obligations, and what you can expect throughout the sale. Taking a few extra minutes to review the details now can save you from confusion or frustration later.
The key terms you need to pay attention to:
- Contract length: How long are you committing to work with the agent? Agreements can range from a few months to a year, so make sure the timeline feels reasonable for your situation.
- Commission structure: Understand how much the agent will earn from the sale and how the real estate commission is split, especially if another agent brings the buyer.
- Exclusivity clauses: Most agreements are exclusive, meaning you can’t work with another agent during the contract period.
- Cancellation policies: Look for details on how you can exit the agreement if needed. Some contracts allow early termination, while others may come with conditions or fees.
- Exit options: Clarify your options upfront. Knowing whether you can switch agents or how disputes are handled gives you peace of mind.
It’s easy to feel pressured to sign quickly, especially if you’re eager to get your home on the market. But slowing down, asking questions, and making sure you’re comfortable with every term can help you avoid being locked into a situation that doesn’t work for you.
Sell confidently with an agent
A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you sell faster and for a better price, thanks to their experience and network. Before hiring one, sellers should make sure their home is ready, know the local market, and set clear expectations.
Taking these steps ensures you and your agent start on the same page and work efficiently toward a successful sale. With the right preparation and a proven agent, you can navigate the process confidently and maximize your home’s value. To find a trusted professional who fits your needs, try HomeLight’s Agent Match tool and get connected with top-performing agents in your area today.
Frequently asked questions about hiring a real estate agent
Before hiring a buyer’s agent, take time to clarify your budget, preferred neighborhoods, and must-have features. Research local agents online and read reviews to see who has experience in your target area. Knowing your priorities and options will help you choose someone who truly understands your needs.
Sellers should gather key details about their home, like recent upgrades, property tax information, and utility costs. It also helps to research comparable homes in the neighborhood to understand market pricing. Bring photos or a list of standout features, like a renovated kitchen or energy-efficient upgrades, to highlight your home’s value.
Ask about their experience in your area, recent sales, and marketing strategies. Find out how they communicate with clients and handle challenges during the process. Great agents are transparent, responsive, and able to provide examples of how they’ve delivered results.
Lowest commission doesn’t always mean best service. Experience, local knowledge, and negotiation skills often matter more. A slightly higher commission can be worth it if it helps sell your home faster or at a better price. Focus on value, not just cost, when choosing an agent.
Header Image Source: (Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels)
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