Question 1

When I start looking for a realtor to sell my home?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, at least 3 months prior to target list date, and at least 4 months prior to when you need to close on the sale, although it depends on how long it takes homes to close in your market.  You'll need time to prep and make any necessary repairs or improvements, put your belongings in storage, and get the house show-ready. If your timing is more flexible, 6 months or longer can be a smart timeframe. It gives you plenty of time to find and compare agents, spread out prep work, and plan the ideal time to hit the market for the best results.

Question 2

How do I find the top selling agent in my area?

Accepted Answer

The fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to find top-producing realtorsis through a free agent-matching service like Clever, which recommends local agents from top brokerages. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations, or find a realtor online, but these approaches take longer and don't provide built-in savings.

Question 3

How much do realtors cost to sell a home?

Accepted Answer

Realtor commission varies by market. Clever surveyed realtors from across the country, and found the average realtor commission is 5.49%, which covers both the listing agent and the buyer's agent commission. That figure does not include closing costs, which can add up to 1% to 3% of the sale price. However, agent matching services like Clever offer pre-negotiated discounts on listing commission.

Question 4

What are signs of a good listing agent?

Accepted Answer

We interviewed numerous licensed realtors and investors, who agreed on the certain qualities to look for in a listing agent: Full-time and committed: Selling houses is the agent's livelihood, not their side hustle, and the agent helps more sellers than buyer clients. Experienced: The agent closes a minimum of 10 transactions per year with at least 2-3 years of experience, as it shows the agent is active and successful. Responsive and accessible: The agent is easy to get a hold of at nearly any time of day.  Real estate is a 24/7 job for full-time agents. Pulse on the local market: The agent has a firm grasp of neighborhoods and recent developments, and knows what buyers are looking for in your market. Well-connected: A strong network of contractors, inspectors, and lawyers helps get your home sold.

Question 5

What are things I shouldn't tell a real estate agent?

Accepted Answer

As a home seller, there are certain things you want to avoid telling your listing agent, including the following: You won't sell to a certain type of buyer: Sellers are federally prohibited from discriminating against prospective buyers based on race, sex, religion, and other protected classes. You won't disclose your home's issues: If you know of an issue or defect that could negatively impact your home's value, state law probably requires you to disclose it – so it's best to  avoid hiding any known defects from your agent. You want to list at a sky-high price: Listing at too high of a price puts your home at risk of sitting on the market longer (or not selling at all). Agents may still want to win your listing, but may focus their efforts on other clients with better near-term prospects,  which could hurt your listing. You're getting advice from another agent:  It's best not to go behind your agent's back if you've agreed to work with them. If you're unhappy with their service, you can ask to work with another agent from their brokerage, or cancel your listing (then hire another agent).

Steve Nicastro

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