{"id":15547,"date":"2026-01-07T04:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=15547"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:03:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T17:03:13","slug":"how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent-for-selling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent-for-selling\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home: A 10-Step Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Selling a home is one of the most important financial transactions of your life. But if you\u2019re selling for the first time, or if it\u2019s been a while since you\u2019ve dipped your toes into the deep end of the real estate market pool, you may be wondering how to choose a real estate agent for selling your house.<\/p>\n

According to HomeLight\u2019s data, the top 5% of real estate agents<\/a> across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the biggest asset that most people have. It\u2019s going to be the biggest sale they ever have,\u201d shares Mark Boyland<\/a>, a top real estate agent in Scotts Corners, New York, who\u2019s ranked in the top 1% of real estate agents in the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing System since 1995. \u201cIt\u2019s important that [sellers] get the best representation when they\u2019re going to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Find a Top Agent to Sell Your Home for More<\/h3>\n

Tell us a little about your home and selling needs and we’ll provide recommendations for up to three top real estate agents in your area.<\/p>\n \n

\n Find Agent<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

But with almost 1.5 million Realtors<\/a>\u00ae in the U.S., deciding how to pick a listing agent can feel, well, overwhelming. To help simplify the process and guide you through a smooth, profitable home-selling experience, we\u2019ve vetted expert advice from top real estate professionals and created this 10-step guide to picking your perfect real estate agent.<\/p>\n

Before you start: Prepare your \u201cFinal Agent Selection\u201d checklist<\/h2>\n

Before you start finding agents near you, prepare your most important tool: a checklist of your considerations. This handy guide can help you make the final decision based on an agent\u2019s answers and qualifications. As you go through each step, check the appropriate box for each agent.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Is the agent licensed in my state?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Does the agent have additional training and\/or certifications that could be beneficial for my circumstances?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Am I comfortable with the agent\u2019s communication style?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Does the agent appear to have integrity, professionalism, and overall friendliness?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Are they familiar with my neighborhood and local community?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Does the agent have experience with my specific selling circumstances and needs?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Do they have a positive reputation in the community and online?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Has the agent built a professional local network if we need contractors?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Do they have proven and recent results? (sale-to-list price ratio and average days on market)<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Are they an experienced negotiator?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Did the agent answer my questions clearly and to my satisfaction?<\/p>\n

[\u00a0 ]\u00a0 Did the agent give me an up-front quote in writing?<\/p>\n

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1. Compare agents online<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no shortage of online resources for researching agents or results when you search \u201cfinding agent near me\u201d on Google. But how can you ensure you\u2019re choosing a top real estate agent for selling?<\/p>\n

An easy answer to how to choose a Realtor in your area is HomeLight\u2019s free Agent Match<\/a> tool. Our matching platform analyzes over 27 million transactions and considers an agent\u2019s specialties and certifications, their years of experience, and their successful home sales in your neighborhood. Each agent is at the top of their field, so you can be confident that they\u2019ll help you maximize your profit.<\/p>\n

Each suggested agent is proven to outperform other agents in their area for properties similar to yours by measurable factors, including:<\/p>\n