How many real estate agents should you interview before you sell?
Short answer
Interview three agents. One gives you nothing to compare, and more than four takes a lot of time for little extra insight. Three top local agents show you a range of prices, marketing plans and styles, so you can see what good looks like for your home. It usually takes about a week.
Most sellers only talk to one agent
In the National Association of REALTORS 2024 survey of recent sellers, 81 percent contacted only one agent before choosing the one they worked with, and 66 percent used an agent who was referred to them or one they had worked with before.[1] A referral is a fine place to start. But with only one agent you have no way to know if their price, plan or fee is the best fit for your home.
Why three is the right number
| Agents interviewed | What you learn |
|---|---|
| One | One opinion on price and marketing, with nothing to compare it against |
| Two | A comparison, but no way to tell which one is the outlier |
| Three | A clear range on price, marketing and fees, so outliers stand out |
| Four or more | A lot more meetings for little new information |
How to interview three agents in about a week
- Pick three agents with recent sales near you. Focus on homes like yours sold in the last year.
- Book them close together. Meeting all three within a few days keeps the details fresh.
- Ask the same questions. Use our questions to ask a listing agent.
- Ask for each pricing plan in writing. Then compare the recent sales each agent used.
- Decide without pressure. You do not have to sign at the first meeting.
If you want help finding three top agents to interview, A Wiser Move does the research and introduces you to the ones you choose. Free to you and no obligation.
Common questions
Is it rude to interview several real estate agents?
No. Interviewing more than one agent is normal and good agents expect it. Be upfront that you are comparing a few agents.
What if all three agents suggest different prices?
That is useful. Ask each one to show the recent sales behind their number. The agent with the best supported price, not the highest one, usually has the strongest plan.
Can I interview agents before I am ready to sell?
Yes. Planning early is when comparing agents helps most, because you have time to prepare the home and choose without pressure.
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS, 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (Highlights). Page 14: 81 percent of recent sellers contacted only one agent; 66 percent used a referred agent or one they had worked with before; reputation (35 percent) and trustworthiness and honesty (21 percent) were the top factors when choosing an agent.