Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor

This guide covers mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor. Selling a home should be similar to other business transactions, but often sellers make emotional, impulsive decisions that cost them time and money. Steer clear of selling mistakes. Learn the biggest Realtor-selection pitfalls and how Gustan Cho Associates helps you sell fast and for top dollar.  In the following paragraphs, we will cover the most common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor: Why the Wrong Realtor Can Cost Sellers Big Bucks

Selling a home is one of your biggest money moves. Your realtor helps set the sale price, speeds up the sale, and keeps the paperwork from becoming a nightmare. Yet too many sellers slip up at the first step: picking the wrong agent.  

Common results? Lowball offers, a for-sale sign that hangs too long, and contracts that fall apart at the last minute. At Gustan Cho Associates, we’ve helped many sellers rebound after a bad Realtor choice. Below, we highlight sellers’ biggest blunders when picking an agent and how to steer clear of each one.

Mistake #1: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Choosing a Real Estate Agent Because They’re a Friend or Family Member

We all want to support those we know, but real estate is a business deal. Going with a relative or buddy who just got licensed can mean weak listings, shaky negotiation, and the chance to miss your best offers. Pick a Realtor with a solid track record, not just a good story.

Mistake #2: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Forgetting to Ask for a Marketing Plan to Sell Fast

A top Realtor will already have a game plan to move your home quickly. If they skip over staging, pro photos, where the listing will appear online, and social media buzz, your house might linger. Don’t hesitate to ask them how you will ensure buyers notice my home.

Mistake #3: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Going with the Realtor Who Quotes the Highest Price

Some agents will tell you the sky-high number you want to hear to land the listing. Setting the asking price too high can backfire, leading to price drops and buyers wondering what’s wrong. Team up with a Realtor who walks you through a comparative market analysis (CMA). They should explain the pricing using the latest sales and current market trends.

Mistake #4: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Skipping the Realtor’s Online Reviews and Success History

Past clients reveal the real story. Type the realtor’s name into a search engine, browse Zillow and Google for ratings, and request a contact list for former clients. Agents at the top usually show a stream of quick sales, five-star reviews, and grateful homeowners telling the same success story.  

Mistake #5: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Picking a Part-Time Realtor Who Can’t Be There for You

Time is vital when selling a home. You need a Realtor whose full-time job is selling, so they can arrange showings, jump on offers, and keep you updated. Sellers often kick themselves for hiring part-time agents who miss deadlines and vanish when negotiations get hot.  

Mistake #6: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Forgetting to Match Communication Styles with Your Realtor

Good agents keep you posted. You’ll feel confused and anxious if your realtor is slow to answer calls, dodges texts, or goes quiet for days. Before you sign, ask them how often they’ll check in and which methods they’ll use: phone, text, email, or a mix.  

Mistake #7: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Overlooking the Realtor’s Neighborhood Knowledge

Real estate is all about the block you live on. A Realtor who knows your street understands what buyers want, how to price it just right, and what local perks to highlight. Ask about their recent sales in your ZIP code or subdivision to ensure their experience is right.

Mistake #8: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor Ignoring the Realtor’s Negotiating Skills When Your Offers Roll In

Putting your home on the market is the easy part. What counts is getting it sold for the best price. Powerful negotiation can turn an offer into a bidding war or slide a lowball offer into a better number. When you hire an agent, quiz them on how they plan to deal with tricky offers, incentivized contingencies, or sudden bidding spikes.  

Mistake #9: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Signing a Long Listing Agreement with No Exit Strategy

A six-month contract with poor performance is a six-month headache. Instead, focus on agents who offer short, flexible agreements. They should be so confident in their plan that they gladly invite you to walk away if they’re not delivering what you expect.  

Mistake #10: Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor is Forgetting to Inquire About the Realtor’s Support Team

A superstar agent is backed by a trained team, not doing it all solo. Look for transaction coordinators who chase paperwork, marketing teams that create your listing’s buzz, and showing agents who give buyers a timely peek. Ask your realtor for a rundown on their support squad to keep the process smooth and stress-free.

How to Pick the Perfect Realtor to Sell Your House with Peace of Mind

Start By:

• Talking to 3 or more agents.
• Inquiring about recent sales and the average days your home will be shown.
• Asking for a detailed marketing and pricing plan.
• Checking their online feedback and track record.
• Make sure they work full-time and know your area inside and out.
• If you want a quick sale for the highest price and the least hassle, the first step is to select the right realtor.

Team Up With a Realtor Sellers Trust Coast to Coast

At Gustan Cho Associates, we partner with top agents nationwide who are fully screened, highly rated, and laser-focused on results. Whether in Illinois, California, Florida, or anywhere else, we’ll match you with a Realtor who will sell your home confidently and successfully.  

Thinking About Selling Your House? Gustan Cho Associates Will Pair You with the Right Realtor

Every seller deserves:

• A savvy negotiator is fighting for them.
• A strong, clear marketing strategy.
• An agent who answers quickly and honestly.
• Speedy, high-dollar offers.

Let us steer you to a smarter, smoother home-selling process. Contact Gustan Cho Associates and get started today.

Most Common Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor

Here are the most common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor

• “I have a friend or family member in real estate”
• Friendship isn’t enough to establish good credentials.
• Use higher standards when hiring an agent, just as you would if you were hiring an attorney or a doctor.
• Does your friend or family member practice full-time?
• If they are only doing a few transactions a year, they may not fully understand the market and trends or have the experience level necessary to appropriately serve you.

If a problem arises while selling your home, you can risk damaging the relationship or have a hard decision to make, deciding to fire your friend or lose money by not firing them

Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor If Agent Only Agrees on Asking Price

“You’re the only agent that agrees with me on the asking price”. Some agents will tell you what you want to hear to try to gain your business. You have to think twice when several agents disagree with your asking price. Dale Elenteny, a senior mortgage loan originator at Gustan Cho Associates says the following about mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor:

You may feel someone is finally on your team but the team will quickly fall apart if your price is too high, since showing activity will be low, if any, and it will sit on the market for a long time.

When you finally drop the price to the appropriate value, your house becomes stigmatized and buyers believe something must be wrong with it. The offers will come in lower and you may find yourself accepting a price lower than what you could have received had the price been properly priced when it first went on the market. Pricing a property too high will only make your competition look that much better.

Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing A Realtor On Purchase And Listing Due To Commission

” I can sell the house by myself and I can save the 6% realtor’s commission”. Ever hear you get what you pay for? Paying a low commission will often get you a sign in the yard and your listing in the Multiple Listing Service, but little additional marketing or effort from your agent.

Real Estate Agent’s Commission

Real estate companies and agents put up their own funds to market and advertise your property. Marketing and advertising cost money. The lower the commission, the less incentive an agent has to put up their own money to market your home and extra effort required to get it sold. The incentive is an important component in sales. A full-service agent earning a full commission will often drop everything to deal with issues and make sure you are a happy customer. For an agent earning a small commission, your home will not be a priority. Alex Carlucci says the following about common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor:

The incentive is also important to the buyer’s agent, so be sure to offer a fair commission to that side as well since there are almost always two agents involved in every sale.

One agent is the listing agent and the other is the buyer’s agent. If a listing agent drops their commission, did they also drop the commission paid to the buyers’ agent? If so, you won’t find as many agents willing to show your house. Instead, they’ll be showing the competition that does offer a fair commission to the buyer’s agent. Finally, negotiating is an important skill for a listing agent. It’s actually a good thing when the agent doesn’t drop the commission at the drop of a hat and negotiates it!

FAQs About Choosing a Realtor to Sell Your Home

What’s The Biggest Mistake People Make When Hiring a Realtor?

• Picking someone just because they’re a friend instead of looking at what they’ve done in real estate.

Should I Trust the Agent Who Gives Me the Highest Price?

• Not really.
• The price might be a trick to get you to sign the papers.

How Do I Know an Agent Knows My Neighborhood?

• Have them show you sales from the last three to six months and pick homes like yours.

Is It Okay To Go With a Part-Time Realtor?

• It can be a gamble. Full-time agents have the time and drive to get the job done.

How Can I Tell if a Realtor Can Negotiate?

• Ask what they do when the buyers return with different terms or demand repairs.

What Should a Good Marketing Plan Include?

• Great photos, home staging, MLS listing, social media posts, ads, and open houses.

What’s a Good Time Frame for a Listing Agreement?

• 30 to 90 days works, and you should be able to back out if the agent isn’t performing.

How Does Gustan Cho Associates Help sellers?

• We link sellers with highly-rated agents and can bring in lender support for buyers interested in your home.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing A Realtor: Dino Hasapis

Dino Hasapis is an extremely popular Chicago Area realtor and a top producer at AXEN REALTY. Dino Hasapis is a veteran real estate agent and has sold and listed countless properties in Cook, Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and McHenry Counties. Known by many as an expert negotiator, Dino’s passion is representing first time home buyers realize their dream of homeownership. 

Dino Hasapis is partners with his Mortgage Loan Originator Alex Carlucci, who is a prominent loan officer at Gustan Cho Associates, and due to working closely with the team at Gustan Cho Associates he became an expert in short sales.

Dino Hasapis knows the ins and outs of the short sale process. There are hundreds of home sellers that Dino Hasapis has helped list their homes via short sale and helping the home seller avoid the foreclosure process. Dino also knows how to deal with banks when representing home buyers who are interested in purchasing a short sale listing. Short sale homes are much more difficult to purchase due to the sellers needing the approval of their lender and can take much longer than a traditional home purchase by home sellers.