The most popular question I get when a seller is looking to sell a home is how much is my home worth? Well, that’s a great question yet it’s a loaded question. When determining the value of a home, I can’t simply look at past comparable homes, rather I will need to analyze the local trends in the area, days on the market, the economy, interest rates, any updates you’ve made, and which seasons you are looking to sell your home.
Lower interest rates drove prices up in 2020, and in 2021, the property value of most sellers increased because there was little supply and lots of demand. Here we are, in 2025, just coming out of one of the slowest real estate markets since 1995, the days of 10-plus offers are gone in most markets.
This year, we truly need to rely on the data, location, and the economy. Buyers are being more selective since rates are high, which impacts their affordability. They would prefer modern updates, curb appeal, and a home that is essentially turn-key
But with a little knowledge and help, selling your home isn’t complicated at all and you shouldn’t worry about the perfect time to sell your home. Ultimately you should sell your home when you’re ready and a good realtor will figure out the rest for you.
But in order to verify the ideal realtor that fits with you, you need to verify them. And to verify them, it’s best practice to ask some sets of questions first. Their response to these questions will not only give you a better insight about selling your property, but also help you understand their compatibility with you. In this article, I’m covering a broad set of questions to ask a realtor when selling.
The 17 Best Questions To Ask A Realtor When Selling Your Home
1. What’s your marketing strategy?
This is a great question because most people think all Realtors do is stick a “for sale” sign in the yard, put your home on the MLS, and wait for buyers’ agents to start calling. Well, unfortunately, there are a lot of agents that will do just that. The absolute bare minimum and an open house or two. In 2024 the median home buyer was 38 years old, and according to NAR (National Association of REALTORS®), over 50% of home buyers use social media to find a home.
So, what would your home’s digital footprint look like? Is your Realtor going to run digital ads on Google and Facebook? Will your home be posted on major social media networks such as Instagram and TikTok? What about print media or professional photography and videography? There’s a lot of money that goes into selling your home quickly and for selling top dollar.
2. How many homes on average do you sell a year?
Knowing the production of your Realtor is important. If they have proven results that they can sell a home, they should be able to speak to their data, such as their average days on the market. What is their experience within the price point of your home? This is important because they will need to know about the buyer at that price point so they can market to that specific buyer. Knowing your agent’s production will help you better understand their skill set, how busy they may be or not as busy, and if they have a more hands-on approach.
3. Do you specialize in selling homes in my price range?
It is not uncommon for a realtor or agent to be highly skilled and popular without having experience across different price ranges. There are countless examples of realtors who are well-known and professional but have only worked with luxury homes. That’s why it’s crucial to clarify whether they have experience handling properties within the price range of your home.
4. What do I need to do to get my house ready to sell?
Preparing your home to sell will take some time and could possibly get costly. Fresh paint, new carpet, and a deep cleaning can go a long way. I recommend that my sellers get a pre-listing home inspection. A home inspector will inspect the home and give you a report to let you know where your house stands.
This report will allow you to get ahead of a potential roof leak, plumbing issues, mold, or even pest. Sometimes, the smallest thing can make a buyer run away from a home. The home inspection is one of the biggest reasons why buyers terminate their contracts. Doing a total remodel may not be ideal. I recommend you speak to a real estate agent before because you may not want to absorb that much equity in a total renovation.
5. Do you use professional photography and virtual tours?
It is important for any professional to be on par with basic digital skills. The digital presentation of a property plays a significant role in buyers’ decision-making. Your realtor or agent must know how to assist potential buyers digitally, whether through virtual tours or high-quality photographs of your listing.
6. What if I can’t afford to make updates to my home?
You certainly can sell your home as it is. This means you will make no repairs to your home. You would typically choose this option if your home is in need of cosmetic and maintenance repairs. But know that selling your house as is while needing a substantial amount of work, you have to be prepared to sell your home below market value. Your home would more than likely get sold to an investor.
7. How much will it cost me to sell my home?
Commissions are negotiable real estate transfers, but taxes aren’t. Based on the state and the sales price of the home, real estate transfer taxes can cost anywhere between 0.25% to 2% of the purchase price. Other fees include title insurance, escrow fees, HOA fees, mortgage payoff, admin fees, and attorney fees. Real estate agents will charge a fee to sell your home. Except these, all commissions are totally negotiable. There are different fees based on the level of service, and some agents simply charge a flat rate. Ask your agent for a seller net sheet. This will give you a better understanding of how much you could net.
8. Do I have to put my home on the MLS?
There are plenty of sellers who prefer not to put their homes all over the MLS for privacy reasons. You can opt out of the MLS and sell your home off the market. This protects your privacy concerns, and neighbors wouldn’t know you are selling your home. Not marketing your home on the MLS can also create a challenge because you are limiting the exposure of your home, and it could be difficult to sell off the market, which can increase the number of days off the market.
9. Will I work with you or your team?
When you hire a real estate professional, you may just be hiring their team as well. You might meet your agent at the listing appointment, and you may not hear from them until your closing day. Understanding who you will be working with is essential. Some sellers may want a more hands-on approach and may have really connected with the agent and choose to work with a specific person throughout the duration of the transaction.
10. What is your communication style?
Knowing your real estate agent’s communication style will help make the selling process go smoothly. If you know you will have an update every week on Monday, then you won’t be concerned when you don’t hear feedback after a busy weekend full of showings. This is your time to let your perceptive agent know your preferred communication style. Whether you prefer email, text, a phone call, or an in-person meeting you must have clear communication.
11. How long will this process take?
There’s no set answer to how long the process will take. Although the data suggest homes that are priced higher than the market price, sit longer on the market increasing days on the market. So, let’s price your home right the first time. Because once priced right, it can take as little as 21 days to about 45 days on average.
12. How do you handle multiple offers on my home?
It’s not always the best strategy to choose the highest-offering person as your buyer. There are many other important factors that can determine the ideal buyer for your property. So when you get multiple offers, your agent should have a clear strategy to help you choose the best one.
13. Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?
A realtor or agent may not always disclose exact figures, as this could be tied to their business strategy or subject to certain restrictions from the authorities. But it’s not always about the answer, even their response to this question might help you judge their integrity.
14. Is there anything else you think I should know?
This is a great open-ended question to ask because you can find out what is important to the real estate agent you could potentially work with. Could it be challenges they are specifically seeing with a current transaction, wire fraud, potential issues with the title, or a new development coming soon nearby that could affect the value of your home, or are they going out of town for a month?
Understanding the Closing Process
Usually, if your agent gives satisfactory answers to these questions listed above, they seem to be a good fit for you. But ultimately the end result matters, which is the closing process. So, it’s better to be well-informed about this process as well. It never hurts to be more careful, does it?
15. What happens after I accept an offer?
This question opens a window to verify the integrity of your Realtor. A good Realtor will inform you about some potential issues that can arise and suggest you take initiatives beforehand to avoid those. Understanding these steps can help you feel more prepared and reduce stress throughout the process.
16. What should I expect on closing day?
On closing day, you’ll sign a lot of paperwork, including the final closing disclosure, title transfer documents, and any other agreements related to the sale. Once everything is signed, and the funds are transferred, you’ll officially hand over the keys to the new owner. The process usually takes an hour or two, and your real estate agent or attorney should be there to guide you through it.
17. What happens if the buyer’s financing falls through?
It’s not entirely unexpected for a buyer’s financing to fall through at the last moment of the transaction, given the large sums involved. For instance, their loan could be denied, or an unexpected error might occur during the transaction process. Regardless of the situation, your agent should have foreseen potential issues and come up with backup plans.
Selling your home is a significant decision, and choosing the right Realtor can make all the difference. By knowing what questions to ask a Realtor when selling, you can ensure that you’re working with a knowledgeable and experienced professional who will prioritize your needs. Whether it’s understanding the marketing strategy, preparing your home for sale, or helping you through the closing process, having a trusted agent by your side will make the journey smoother and more successful.
