What Does a Listing Agent Do? | Ashley Horton Real Estate

So, you’ve made the monumental decision to sell your home. Perhaps you’re looking for something bigger in a great Charlotte school district. Maybe you’re downsizing now that your kids have flown the coop and started college. Or maybe you are just craving a change.

Regardless of your reasons for selling, it’s a pretty significant undertaking. Whether you’re selling a starter condo or a grand estate, the first thing you should do after deciding to sell is to engage the services of a real estate agent, specifically, a listing agent.

Planning to sell your Charlotte-area home? Find out what your home is worth or book a seller’s consultation to get started today.

First of All, What is a Listing Agent?

Simply speaking, a listing agent is the real estate agent hired to list and sell your home. They represent the seller throughout the entire transaction and handle all the tasks pertaining to the sale, including preparing the home, pricing, marketing, negotiation, and more.

Do you have more questions about selling your home? Here are a few more posts you might find helpful:

Selling Agent Vs. Listing Agent

In some circles, you might see a listing agent referred to as a “selling agent” or a “seller’s agent”. In truth, there’s no real difference between a listing agent vs. selling agent. They both do the same thing. It’s more of a To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to type situation.

How to Find a Good Listing Agent to Sell Your Home

Almost every home seller I speak with wants three things out of their sale:

A high selling price
A quick transaction
An effortless experience

There is only one way to achieve these goals: work with a great listing agent. Whether you are buying or selling, it’s always a good idea to talk to a few agents before deciding on who you are going to hire. Pay attention to your experience with this agent from the moment you speak to them, as that will likely be an indication of how things will go during your sale.

Did they take a long time to reply to your meeting request? What if they take a long time to reply to interested buyers?

Did they seem uninterested or blasé about your home? How will they drum up the proper excitement to market your home effectively?

Finding a good Realtor® to sell your home isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. At the core of it, listing agent services can be broken into several categories:

Communication – How do they communicate with you? Are they always available or quick to respond? Do they explain things with clarity and transparency? Do they make you feel comfortable and educated?
Preparation – What do they recommend to prepare your home for sale? Do they take a blanket approach when preparing listings, or do they customize prep based on the home?
Pricing – How do they arrive at a price? Do they use data? Do they involve the homeowner in the decision?
Marketing – What kind of marketing will they do for your home? Are they knowledgeable about print and digital marketing?
Negotiations – How do they approach offers? Are they transparent? Do they have a good relationship with other agents in the area?
Closings – Will they take care of all the paperwork and explain everything? Do they offer any other assistance or help throughout the final steps of the sale?

Get the most out of your home sale. Read How to Sell Your Home Fast in Charlotte: Expert Tips to Maximize Speed and Profit

Questions to Ask a Listing Agent When Selling Your Home

Choosing the right Realtor® to sell your home is about more than the on-paper qualifications. You have to trust your instinct, too. Yes, you want someone who gets proven results, but you also want someone who you actually like—trust me, it makes the process so much more enjoyable.

When meeting with listing agents, here are a few questions you should ask:

Do you have experience selling homes like mine? Do you have experience selling homes in this neighborhood?
Can you provide references from past clients?
What is the best way to read you? How would you describe your communication style?
What do I need to do to prepare my home for sale?
Are you a single agent or do you work as part of a team? Do you have access to service providers and other professionals to assist?
How do you determine a pricing strategy?
How would you market my home?
What kind of timelines can we expect?
Do you provide any additional services? (Ie, repairs, staging, professional cleaning, etc.)

On the hunt for the best agent to help sell your home? Read How to Find the Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

How to Find a Good Listing Agent in Charlotte, NC

Are you thinking about selling your home now or in the near future? Let’s talk. As a local Charlotte Realtor®, I’ve helped countless homeowners successfully buy and sell in the area. Whether you’re selling to upsize, downsize, relocate, or you just need a change, my bespoke, data-driven strategies can help get your home sold so you can move on effortlessly to your next chapter.

Do you have questions that weren’t answered in this post? Looking for property or neighborhood-specific listing insights? Wondering what your home is worth in today’s market? Reach out today and send me your questions. I’m always happy to help.

Ashley Horton | Premier Sotheby’s International Realty | 704.975.5418 | ashley.horton@charlotteluxehomes.com