Sell With an Agent

Snapshot

Highest Price

Speed

Convenience

Certainty

Money Required

Table of Contents

What does it mean to sell your home with a real estate agent?

Selling with a real estate agent is the most common way homeowners sell a property. In a traditional listing, the home is marketed to buyers through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), online real estate websites, marketing campaigns, open houses, and private showings.

A real estate agent helps guide homeowners through pricing, marketing, negotiations, contracts, inspections, and closing. Depending on the property and market conditions, selling with an agent may help homeowners maximize exposure and potentially achieve a higher sale price.

However, listing traditionally may also involve repairs, cleaning, staging, showings, and a longer timeline compared to some other selling options. For that reason, it’s important to consider both the potential benefits and tradeoffs when deciding whether a traditional listing is the right fit for your situation.

When does selling your home with a real estate agent make sense?

Selling with a real estate agent is often a good fit for homeowners who are primarily focused on maximizing market exposure and potential sale price. A traditional listing may also make sense for sellers who have flexibility on timing and are comfortable preparing the home for the market.

This option is commonly considered by homeowners who:

  • have a home in relatively good condition,
  • are willing to complete repairs or updates before listing
  • want access to the largest possible pool of buyers
  • are comfortable with showings and inspections
  • are not under pressure to sell quickly

In some situations, homeowners may also choose to make strategic improvements before listing in order to increase the home’s appeal and potential value. Depending on the property, market conditions, and budget, those improvements can sometimes lead to a stronger final sale price.

At the same time, a traditional listing is not always the best fit for every situation. Some homeowners prioritize convenience, speed, privacy, or avoiding repairs—which may lead them to consider other selling options instead.

What are some potential advantages of selling your home with a real estate agent?

Maximum Market Exposure

Listing a home on the MLS allows it to be seen by a large pool of buyers, agents, and online real estate websites. Greater exposure can sometimes lead to stronger offers and more competition.

Real estate agents may assist with pricing strategy, photography, marketing materials, online promotion, open houses, and coordinating showings to help present the property effectively.

Selling a home involves contracts, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, title work, and closing coordination. An experienced agent can help guide homeowners through each step of the process and help avoid common issues.

Traditional listings often attract buyers using conventional, FHA, VA, or other financing options, which can expand the pool of potential buyers compared to some off-market sales.

Depending on the property, market conditions, and level of preparation, listing a home traditionally may result in a higher final sale price than some convenience-focused selling options.

Agents can help homeowners evaluate offers, negotiate repairs or concessions, manage timelines, and coordinate communication between parties throughout the transaction.

What are some potential drawbacks of selling your home with a real estate agent?

Repairs and Preparation May Be Needed

Before listing a home traditionally, some sellers choose—or are advised—to complete repairs, cleaning, updates, or staging in order to improve the home’s marketability. Depending on the condition of the property, those costs can sometimes be significant.

Traditional listings often involve showings, open houses, inspections, appraisals, and ongoing buyer communication throughout the process. Some homeowners may find that process stressful, disruptive, or time-consuming.

While some homes sell quickly, others may remain on the market for weeks or months depending on pricing, condition, location, and market conditions. In addition, financed transactions often involve contingencies and lender requirements that can extend the timeline before closing.

Even after a contract is signed, issues such as financing problems, inspection negotiations, appraisal concerns, or buyer contingencies can sometimes delay or prevent a sale from closing.

Traditional listings often involve commissions, closing costs, repair expenses, and other costs associated with preparing and selling the property. The final net proceeds may differ significantly from the original listing price once those expenses are considered.

Some homeowners prioritize convenience, privacy, speed, certainty, or avoiding repairs over maximizing sale price. In those situations, other selling options may be worth considering.

What does it look like to sell your home with an agent?

While every transaction is different, a traditional home sale often follows a process similar to the following:

1. Initial Consultation and Pricing

The process typically begins with a conversation about the property, the homeowner’s goals, timing, and the condition of the home so that a listing price and marketing strategy can be developed.

2. Preparing the Home for the Market

Depending on the property, sellers may choose to complete repairs, cleaning, decluttering, staging, or updates before listing the home. Professional photography and marketing materials are often prepared during this stage.

3. Listing and Marketing the Property

Once the home is listed on the MLS, it may be marketed through online real estate websites, social media, email marketing, agent networks, open houses, and private showings.

4. Reviewing Offers and Negotiating Terms

When offers are received, the seller reviews pricing, financing terms, contingencies, closing timelines, and other important details. Negotiations may involve repairs, credits, inspections, or other contract terms.

5. Inspections, Appraisal, and Financing

After a contract is accepted, the buyer may complete inspections and, if financing is involved, the lender will typically order an appraisal and review the buyer’s loan approval.

6. Closing the Sale

Once all conditions are satisfied, the transaction moves to closing, where final documents are signed, funds are transferred, and ownership of the property changes hands.

Common misconceptions about selling your home with a real estate agent

Listing with an agent always results in the highest net proceeds.
Not necessarily. While traditional listings can sometimes produce a higher sale price, homeowners should also consider commissions, closing costs, repair expenses, holding costs, and the time required to prepare and market the property. In some situations, a faster or more convenient sale may make more financial sense overall.
Every home should be fully renovated before listing.
Not always. Some improvements can increase value, while others may not provide a meaningful return on investment. The right approach often depends on the condition of the property, the neighborhood, market conditions, and the homeowner’s budget and timeline.
Homes listed on the MLS always sell quickly.
Some homes sell very quickly, while others may remain on the market longer depending on pricing, condition, location, competition, and overall market conditions.
The highest offer is always the best offer.
Price is important, but it is not the only factor. Financing terms, inspection contingencies, appraisal risks, closing timelines, repair requests, and the buyer’s overall ability to close can all affect the strength of an offer.
Selling with an agent is the right option for every homeowner.
A traditional listing can be an excellent option in many situations, but it is not always the best fit for every property or every seller. Some homeowners may prioritize speed, convenience, privacy, certainty, or avoiding repairs, which can lead them to explore other selling options instead.
A real estate agent determines what a home is worth.
While agents can provide market analysis and pricing guidance based on comparable sales and local market conditions, the market ultimately determines what buyers are willing to pay. Pricing too high can sometimes reduce activity and extend time on the market, while pricing strategically may increase interest and competition among buyers.

Is selling your home with a real estate agent the right fit for your situation?​

For many homeowners, listing with a real estate agent can be an excellent way to maximize exposure and potentially achieve a strong sale price. However, every property, timeline, and financial situation is different.

Some homeowners are comfortable preparing a home for the market and waiting for the right buyer, while others may prioritize speed, convenience, privacy, or avoiding repairs and showings. The best option often depends on the condition of the property, local market conditions, and the seller’s overall goals.

Understanding the pros, tradeoffs, costs, and timelines associated with each selling option can help homeowners make a more informed decision about what makes the most sense for their situation.

Every homeowner’s situation is different—explore other ways to sell your home below.

  • Sell Your Home As-Is
  • Fix Up Before Selling
  • Sell to a Local Investor
  • Sell to an Out-of State Investor
  • Sell to a Wholesaler
  • For Sale by Owner
  • Selling at Auction

Want help comparing your options?

Use our comparison tools or schedule a time to talk through your situation and explore what selling approach may fit your goals best.