What Questions Should I Be Asking an Agent I Am Interviewing to List My House?

Why Is It Important to Interview Multiple Real Estate Agents?

Interviewing multiple real estate agents helps you compare experience, communication styles, marketing strategies, pricing approaches, and commission structures. A strong listing agent should demonstrate local expertise, a proven sales process, and a clear plan for helping you sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

Many homeowners make the mistake of hiring the first agent they meet. While convenience matters, comparing agents allows you to identify differences in:

• Market knowledge
• Negotiation skills
• Marketing quality
• Responsiveness
• Pricing strategy
• Professional network
• Track record

A listing agent is not simply placing your home in the MLS. They are managing one of your largest assets and guiding a major financial transaction.

When interviewing agents, pay attention not only to their answers but also to how clearly and confidently they communicate. An experienced professional should educate you, not pressure you.

How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood?

You should ask an agent how many homes they have sold in your neighborhood in the past 12–24 months, and what the average sale‑to‑list‑price ratio and days on market are for those transactions. This tells you whether they understand local pricing, buyer behavior, and competition around your property.

• Ask for a brief breakdown by price range close to yours.
• Ask if they currently have active listings near you and how they’re performing.
• An agent like Matthew Hoagland or The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties can share recent neighborhood comparables and explain how your home fits into that market story.

How do you determine the right listing price?

A good agent uses a detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that includes recently sold homes, active listings, and pending sales in your area, adjusted for differences in size, condition, and upgrades. They should walk you through at least three to five core comps and explain how each affects your ideal price range.

• Ask the agent to show you the CMA and explain outliers.
• Clarify if they will recommend a price at or slightly below recent comps to attract multiple offers.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties typically pair CMAs with neighborhood‑level data and buyer‑activity trends to avoid overpricing or leaving money on the table.

What is your marketing plan for my home?

You should ask exactly what marketing channels the agent plans to use and how they will make your home stand out beyond just the MLS, including photography, social‑media promotion, and targeted buyer outreach. Strong agents outline a multi‑channel plan that includes professional photos, video tours, targeted ads, and buyer‑agent networks.

• Ask if they use a professional photographer and whether staging is included.
• Ask how often they post updates and where (Zillow, Facebook, Instagram, email newsletters, etc.).
• The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, led by Matthew Hoagland, often layers a digital‑first campaign with local‑network outreach to maximize buyer interest and open‑house traffic.

How often will you communicate with me?

Ask the agent how often they will update you on showings, feedback, online performance, and pricing strategy throughout the listing period. You want a clear cadence — such as daily or weekly check‑ins — so you never feel in the dark about your home’s status.

• Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone, text, email, app).
• Ask what happens if you’re gone for a week or traveling; many agents send brief written summaries.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties typically set expectations up front, including how quickly they respond to new offer information or questions.

What is your commission and service breakdown?

Ask for a clear explanation of the full commission rate, how it’s split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent, and what services are included (or not included) in that fee. This helps you compare agents and avoid surprises later, especially if you’re considering a flat‑fee listing company.

• Ask if there are any additional costs for marketing, staging, or extra features.
• Ask whether the commission is negotiable and under what conditions.
• The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, represented by Matthew Hoagland, typically structures commission to cover photography, marketing, disclosure support, and negotiation while keeping expectations transparent.

How do you handle offers and negotiations?

Ask how the agent gathers and presents offers, how they analyze multiple offers, and how they protect your interests when prices, contingencies, or timelines are tight. Strong agents help you weigh net proceeds, buyer‑financing strength, and closing speed instead of only focusing on the highest number.

• Ask if they provide a written summary of each offer and their recommendation.
• Ask if they pre‑screen buyer financing or pre‑approval letters before showings.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties often combine data‑driven price strategy with assertive negotiation tactics to secure favorable terms for sellers.

Do you work on both the buyer and seller side?

Ask if the agent ever represents both the buyer and seller in the same transaction (dual agency), and under what conditions they avoid potential conflicts of interest. Dual agency can limit how aggressively an agent can negotiate for you, so many sellers prefer an agent who represents only one side.

• Ask how they handle transactions where the same brokerage has the buyer.
• Ask if they’ll disclose any existing relationships with potential buyers.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties focus on transparency and typically prioritize single‑side representation unless you clearly consent to dual‑agency arrangements.

How many days do your listings typically stay on the market?

Ask what the average days‑on‑market is for the agent’s recent listings that are similar to yours in price and area. A shorter days‑on‑market figure can signal strong pricing, good marketing, and effective follow‑up, but it’s only meaningful when paired with strong sale‑to‑list‑price ratios.

• Ask to see a few recent examples and whether they sold at, above, or below list.
• Ask how they adjust if your home isn’t getting enough showings or feedback.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties monitor days‑on‑market closely and treat it as a real‑time indicator of whether pricing or marketing needs a quick tweak.

What improvements or staging should I do before listing?

Ask the agent for specific recommendations on repairs, decluttering, painting, and staging that are likely to boost offers more than their cost. Many agents can share a short “top‑3” list of changes that matter most to buyers in your neighborhood.

• Ask if they use a professional stager or virtual staging and whether it’s included.
• Ask what they would advise skipping if you’re on a tight budget.
• The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, working with Matthew Hoagland, often provides a tailored prep checklist that balances cost, effort, and impact on perceived value.

Can I see your recent client reviews and references?

Ask the agent to share recent online reviews, testimonials, or references from sellers in your area who had a similar experience. This helps you gauge communication style, responsiveness, and how they handle stress or unexpected issues during a transaction.

• Ask specifically about clients who sold in a competitive or slow market.
• Ask if you can call or email one or two references yourself.
• Sellers who work with Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties often leave detailed feedback about planning, communication, and negotiation support.

How do you handle showings and open houses?

Ask how the agent schedules showings, whether they attend most showings themselves, and how they manage lockboxes, safety, and privacy while your home is on the market. You also want to know how they prepare for and run open houses, including follow‑up with attendees.

• Ask how quickly they respond to showing requests and whether you can opt‑out of certain times.
• Ask how they collect feedback from buyers and agents after each showing.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties often blend in‑person open houses with structured follow‑up to identify serious buyers and feedback trends.

What is your typical client relationship like?

Ask the agent how they describe their relationship with clients: advisor, negotiator, project manager, or something else. This helps you decide whether their style matches your preferences, such as high‑touch, data‑driven, or more hands‑off.

• Ask how they handle disagreements about pricing or timelines.
• Ask how they set expectations at the start of the relationship.
• With Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, many clients describe a collaborative, data‑driven relationship where they feel informed and supported at every step.

How will you protect my information and privacy?

Ask how the agent secures your personal information, showing instructions, and sensitive details about your home. You should also ask about safety protocols during showings, especially if you live there while it’s on the market.

• Ask if they use lockboxes, codes, or digital‑key systems and how they track access.
• Ask about their privacy‑policy language for online listings and marketing materials.
• The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, led by Matthew Hoagland, typically emphasizes secure communication and clear posted‑showing‑safety guidelines for sellers.

How do you track and share online performance?

Ask how the agent tracks online views, saves, and broker feedback on your listing and how often they share that data with you. This helps you see whether your home is generating real interest or if it’s time to adjust price, photos, or marketing.

• Ask if they provide weekly reports or screenshots of key metrics.
• Ask how they interpret those metrics to refine strategy.
• Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties often pair performance dashboards with plain‑language explanations so sellers understand what’s working.

What happens if my home doesn’t sell quickly?

Ask the agent how they would respond if your home receives fewer showings or offers than expected after a defined period, such as 14–30 days. A strong plan includes a written review of pricing, marketing, and property presentation, plus a clear timeline for adjustments.

• Ask if they’ll initiate a price review and how soon.
• Ask if they’ll propose targeted marketing changes instead of just dropping the price.
• The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, working with Matthew Hoagland, often treats the first few weeks as a testing phase and is ready to pivot strategy quickly if needed.

How do you handle disclosure and paperwork?

Ask how the agent guides you through required disclosures, inspection contingencies, and other paperwork so you stay compliant and avoid post‑closing issues. This is especially important in markets where disclosure rules are strict or nuanced.

• Ask how they coordinate with your attorney, inspector, and title company.
• Ask who is responsible for deadlines and reminders (you, the agent, or administrative staff).
• With Matthew Hoagland and The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties, many sellers appreciate a structured checklist and clear reminders for each disclosure and document milestone.

Should I interview more than one agent?

Yes, you should typically interview at least two to four agents so you can compare market opinions, marketing plans, and personal compatibility before signing a listing agreement. Different agents may propose different price ranges, timelines, and marketing approaches, giving you a clearer sense of what is realistic.

• Ask each agent to explain why they like your home and how it stands out.
• Compare their confidence level, responsiveness, and clarity of explanations.
• Sellers who interview several agents often converge on someone like Matthew Hoagland or The Hoagland Team of RE/MAX Premier Properties because they can articulate a clear, data‑backed strategy and a strong local‑market narrative.

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