Selling a home is a big money move, and who you hire to help you can add or remove tens of thousands of dollars from your bottom line. One of the biggest money leaks is not knowing the common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor and walking right into them. This guide shows you how to avoid those mistakes so you can sell fast, stress less, and keep more profit in your pocket.
At Gustan Cho Associates, we talk to sellers every day who wish they had picked a different listing agent. Their home sat on the market for too long; they kept dropping the price, or the deal fell apart at the last minute. Once you understand the most common mistakes sellers make when choosing a realtor, it becomes much easier to spot red flags early and choose an agent who will truly fight for your best interests.
Why Your Choice of Realtor Matters So Much
Your home is one of your biggest assets. The agent you hire will have a huge impact on:
- How your home is priced
- How many buyers see it
- How quickly you get offers
- How smoothly you get to the closing table
Choosing the wrong agent can result in lowball offers, prolonged market times, and stressful negotiations. Choosing the right one helps you avoid the biggest mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor and gives you a clear plan from listing to closing.
Avoid the Costly Mistakes Most Sellers Make
Choosing the wrong agent can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. Learn what to watch for.
Top Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor
Mistake 1 – Hiring a Friend or Family Member Just to Be Nice
One of the most painful mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor is picking someone just because they are a friend, cousin, or neighbor. You may want to support people you know, but selling a home is a serious financial decision, not a favor to do.
Before you hire a friend or family member, ask:
- Are they a full-time agent, or do they sell only a few homes a year?
- How many listings have they sold in the last 12 months?
- Do they know your price range and neighborhood well?
If a problem arises with the sale, you may have to choose between your money and your relationship. That’s why many experts say to use the same high standards you would use if you were hiring a doctor or attorney.
Mistake 2 – Skipping the Marketing Plan
Another one of the common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor is not asking for a clear marketing plan. A strong agent does far more than put a sign in the yard and upload your home to the MLS.
Ask each agent:
- How will you stage or prepare my home before photos?
- Will you use professional photography and video?
- On which websites and portals will my home appear?
- What is your social media and open house strategy?
If the answer is vague or they cannot provide examples of listings they have successfully marketed, move on. A detailed plan helps you avoid the hidden mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor who just “lists and hopes” instead of actively selling your home.
Mistake 3 – Choosing the Agent Who Promises the Highest Price
It’s easy to get drawn in by the agent who promises to sell your home for the most money. However, this is often one of the quiet mistakes sellers make when choosing a realtor. Some agents will suggest an unrealistically high price to win the listing.
What usually happens next?
- Showings are slow or do not happen at all
- Weeks go by with no strong offers
- You start dropping the price again and again
By the time you reach the correct price, your listing can look “stale,” and buyers may assume something is wrong with the home. Instead of falling into this trap, ask for a written Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and have the agent walk you through recent sales that support their suggested price.
Mistake 4 – Ignoring Online Reviews and Track Record
In today’s market, you can learn a lot about an agent in a few minutes online. Still, ignoring reviews and past sales is another one of the mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
Before you sign:
- Search the agent’s name on Google and major real estate sites
- Look for a pattern of strong, recent five-star reviews
- Check how many homes they have actually sold recently
You want a history of satisfied clients, rapid sales, and consistent results. If reviews are poor, old, or missing, it’s a sign to keep looking.
Mistake 5 – Working With a Part-Time Agent
Selling a home is time-sensitive. Showings, offers, inspection issues, and closing tasks often happen on short notice. Hiring a part-time agent is one of the riskier mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
A part-time agent may:
- Miss calls or texts from serious buyers
- Be slow to respond to offers or counteroffers
- Struggle to schedule showings around another job
Your home should be someone’s top priority, not something they squeeze in around other work. Ask each agent if real estate is their full-time career and how they handle busy weeks.
Don’t Let the Wrong Realtor Cost You Thousands
We break down the top mistakes sellers make—and how you can avoid them when listing your home.
Mistake 6 – Not Matching Communication Styles
Even a skilled agent can be the wrong fit if the communication style is off. This is another one of the subtle mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
Before you commit, ask:
- How often will I get updates on showings and feedback?
- Do you prefer to contact us by phone, email, or text?
- Who will I be hearing from—just you, or also your team?
If you want frequent text updates but your agent only sends occasional emails, you may feel left in the dark. Effective communication helps keep stress levels low and enables you to make informed, confident decisions.
Mistake 7 – Choosing an Agent Who Doesn’t Know Your Neighborhood
Real estate is hyper-local. Choosing someone who does not understand your area is one of the biggest mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
Look for an agent who can answer:
- How many homes like mine have you sold in this ZIP code?
- What are buyers in this neighborhood looking for?
- What features or upgrades will help my home stand out?
An agent who truly knows your area can set the right price for your home, highlight its best features, and engage easily with buyers about schools, parks, commute times, and all the local amenities.
Mistake 8 – Focusing Only on Commission or Trying to Sell Alone
Many homeowners think, “I can sell my home myself and save the commission,” or “I’ll just choose the lowest-priced agent.” On the surface that sounds smart, but this is often one of the most expensive mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
Here’s why:
- Discount agents have less budget and motivation for marketing
- Buyer’s agents may avoid low-commission listings
- For-sale-by-owner homes often sit longer and sell for less
Full-service agents invest their own money in marketing and work diligently to resolve problems promptly. You’re not just paying for a sign in the yard—you’re paying for negotiation skills, market knowledge, and protection of your equity.
Mistake 9 – Not Asking About Negotiation Strategy
Getting your home on the MLS is easy. Getting the best price and terms is where negotiation matters. Overlooking negotiation skills is one of the less obvious mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor.
When you interview agents, ask:
- How do you handle low offers?
- What do you do in a multiple-offer situation?
- How do you respond when buyers ask for repairs or credits?
Listen for clear, confident answers. Also, pay attention to how they discuss their own commission. If they drop their fee immediately without a conversation, imagine how fast they may push you to accept a lower price.
Mistake 10 – Signing a Long Listing Agreement With No Exit
One more of the mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor is signing a very long listing contract with no way out if things go badly. You do not want to be stuck for six months with an agent who fails to communicate or market your home effectively.
Before signing, ask:
- What is the initial length of the listing agreement?
- Is there an exit clause if I’m unhappy with your service?
- What do you consider “acceptable performance”?
Many confident agents will initially agree to a 30- to 90-day term with the option to extend if both parties are satisfied.
Not all agents are created equal. Learn the red flags and questions to ask before signing anything.
Protect Your Equity With the Right Real Estate Agent
The wrong choice can mean fewer offers and a lower sale price. Know what to look for in a top-performing agent.
Simple Checklist for Choosing the Right Realtor
Use this quick checklist when interviewing agents so you can avoid the most common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor:
- Talk to at least three agents before you decide
- Compare their recent sales, days on market, and price ranges
- Ask for a written marketing and pricing plan
- Check reviews and references from past clients
- Confirm they work full-time and know your neighborhood
- Make sure their communication style matches yours
- Review the listing agreement length and cancellation terms
Putting in an extra hour or two at the start can save you a significant amount of stress and money down the line.
How Gustan Cho Associates Helps You Find the Right Realtor
At Gustan Cho Associates, we work with sellers across the country and see firsthand how much the right agent matters. Our team can help you avoid the typical mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor by connecting you with proven listing agents in your area.
We look for:
- Full-time agents with strong sales histories
- Excellent online reviews and happy past clients
- Deep knowledge of local neighborhoods and price ranges
- Clear communication and strong negotiation skills
Whether you are selling in Illinois, California, Florida, Texas, or any other state, we can introduce you to a vetted agent who will treat your home sale like a top priority.
Real-Life Example: Avoiding Foreclosure With the Right Agent
In the Chicago region, Dino Hasapis, a leading realtor at AXEN REALTY, has assisted many sellers in steering clear of foreclosure by helping them navigate the short sale procedure. Working closely with Alex Carlucci, a senior mortgage loan officer at Gustan Cho Associates, Dino has:
- Listed homes for sellers who fell behind on payments
- Negotiated with lenders to approve short sales instead of foreclosures
- Helped buyers and sellers understand longer timelines and extra paperwork
- Protected homeowners from the long-term damage of foreclosure
This kind of experience highlights why it is crucial to avoid the common mistakes sellers make when choosing a realtor. The right agent does more than list your home—they protect your credit, your options, and your peace of mind.
Protect Your Equity by Avoiding Common Realtor Mistakes
Choosing a listing agent is one of the most important decisions you will make when selling your home. When you understand the most common mistakes sellers make choosing a realtor, you can avoid them, ask better questions, and hire someone who truly represents your best interests.
Your home is too valuable to hand over to the wrong person.
If you’re considering selling, please contact us at 800-900-8569, text us for a faster response, or email us at alex@gustancho.com. We will answer your questions, review your goals, and connect you with a trusted local realtor so you can list with confidence and protect your hard-earned equity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor:
What is the Number One Mistake People Make When Hiring a Realtor?
The most common mistake is hiring someone solely because they are a friend or family member, rather than checking their experience, reviews, and recent sales.
Should I Go with the Agent who Gives Me the Highest Price?
Be careful. A much higher price than other agents quote may be a tactic to win your listing. Always ask to see recent sales that support the suggested price.
How Can I Tell if an Agent Knows My Area?
Ask how many homes they have sold in your ZIP code in the past year, what buyers in your neighborhood look for, and how they would price and market your home.
Is a Part-Time Realtor a Good Idea?
Hiring a part-time agent can be risky because selling a home often needs quick responses and a flexible schedule. It’s usually safer to choose a full-time agent.
What Should a Good Marketing Plan Include?
Professional photos, strong listing copy, staging advice, MLS exposure, syndication to major home-search sites, social media promotion, and, when helpful, open houses.
How Long Should a Listing Agreement Last?
Many sellers start with 30 to 90 days, with an option to extend if the agent performs well. Make sure you have a way to cancel if expectations are not being met.
How Does Gustan Cho Associates Help Sellers?
We connect you with vetted, high-performing real estate agents in your local market and can support buyers interested in your home with a wide range of mortgage options.
This article about “Mistakes Sellers Make Choosing a Realtor (How to Avoid Them)” was updated on November 25th, 2025.
Before You List—Read This First
Not all agents are created equal. Learn the red flags and questions to ask before signing anything.
