The One Question Every Seller Should Ask Before Hiring an Agent

Of everything a seller could ask during an agent interview, one question cuts through the sales pitch faster than any other: give me a time you told a seller their price was wrong.

Why this question works

Almost any agent will tell you what you want to hear about your home’s value in a listing appointment. Agreement is easy, and it doesn’t cost the agent anything in that moment. This question asks for the opposite: a real example of pushing back on a client, in their own interest, even when it wasn’t the popular thing to say.

What a good answer sounds like

A real answer names a specific seller, a specific number, and a specific reason, market data, condition issues, comparable sales that didn’t support the higher price. A vague answer, or no answer at all, tells you something too.

What you’re actually hiring

You’re hiring judgment, not agreement. An agent who can disagree with you respectfully, backed by evidence, may save you time, money, and a listing that sits stale on the market for months.

Where this leads

I ask to be a seller’s first love, second wife, and third real estate agent. By the third choice, you should expect more than a confident smile and a high number. You should expect someone who can stand on your actual street, name its real advantages and disadvantages honestly, and show you the sales that back it up. Local knowledge cannot be faked. Buyers test it the moment they walk in the door, and your agent should be able to pass that same test before you ever list.

If you’re getting ready to sell, I’d welcome that conversation. Reach out at nashvilleareahomes.com or call 615-208-3313.

— Candie Worsham, Nashville Area Homes