Selling your house? Sweet. Biggest financial move most people make. Get it right, you’re swimming in cash. Get it wrong… well, let’s not even go there. The single biggest lever you can pull? Picking a killer real estate agent. Not your buddy’s cousin who just got licensed. Not the first name that pops up on Google. A proven pro who knows how to get shit done. Forget the usual fluff – here’s the Realwing playbook to finding an agent who’ll actually make you money, not cost you.
Don’t Just Ask Your Friends – Ask the Right Questions
Yeah, referrals are a starting point. Maybe. But asking “Know any agents?” is lazy and dangerous. Your friend liked their agent? Cool. Did that agent crush it in your specific neighborhood? Did they sell houses like yours? That’s the real question. You need someone who breathes your local market, knows the comps cold, and understands exactly who your buyer is. A rockstar agent two towns over might be clueless about your block’s unique vibe. So drill down: “Know any agents who consistently sell homes right here for top dollar?” Location, location, location applies to your agent’s track record too.
The Responsiveness Test: Your First (And Easiest) Filter
Got a few names? Awesome. Now, fire off an email or call their office. And wait. Seriously. How fast do they get back to you? This isn’t about being needy; it’s ground zero for communication. If you’re waiting more than a few business hours for a reply now, imagine the radio silence when offers are flying, or an inspection throws a curveball. You need someone who’s on it, period. Slow response? Cut ’em loose. Next! This simple test weeds out the time-wasters faster than anything else.
Grill Them Like You Mean It: The Non-Negotiable Questions
Alright, you’ve got a responsive candidate. Time for the real interview. No softballs. This is business. You need hard numbers and straight answers. If they waffle, they’re out.
- “Show Me the Numbers: How Many Deals Did You Actually Close Last Year?” Forget “years in business” alone – results matter. You want someone actively closing deals, ideally 20+ per year. Less than that? They might be part-timers or just not very good. Volume often equals experience and market pulse.
- “What’s Your Batting Average? (Listings Sold vs. Taken)” How many of the listings they take actually sell? Aim high, like 70-80%+. If they’re listing tons but selling few, they might be bad at pricing or marketing.
- “Price Whisperer or Price Butcher? (List vs. Sale Price Ratio)” On average, how close do their listings sell to the asking price? Even in a wild market, you want consistency. Anything below 95% consistently should raise a huge red flag. It means they’re likely overpricing to get listings or weak negotiators.
- “Where’s My Money Going? Show Me Your Marketing Playbook & Budget.” This is HUGE. How will they get maximum eyeballs on your property? Demand specifics.
- Online: Which portals (beyond the MLS)? Zillow? Redfin? Realtor.com®? What’s their website like? Crucially, what’s their social media strategy? Facebook ads? Instagram stories showcasing your place? Video tours?
- Offline: Are they still doing the basics right? Pro photos (non-negotiable!), eye-catching yard signs, quality flyers for open houses?
- The Budget: Ask point-blank: “How much specifically do you invest in marketing your listings?” Get a dollar figure or a clear percentage. If they can’t answer, they don’t have a real plan. They need skin in the game.
The Ultimate Test: Will They Fight for Their Own Damn Money?
Here’s a pro move. Ask them if they’ll cut their commission. Do it early. If they fold instantly without defending their value? Run. Seriously. If they can’t negotiate to protect their own paycheck, how the hell are they going to fight tooth and nail to protect your equity when the offers come in? You want an agent confident in their value, who knows their worth, and can articulate why they charge what they charge. That confidence translates directly into getting you the best possible deal.
Finding the right agent isn’t luck. It’s a process. Follow these steps, trust the data, ask the tough questions, and you won’t just find an agent, you’ll find the agent who helps you crush your home sale. Go get ’em.
