Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And the key to doing it right? Choosing the right listing agent.
In Indiana’s competitive real estate market—especially in areas like Fishers, Carmel, Zionsville, and Greenwood—not all agents are created equal. You need someone who not only understands your local market but also communicates clearly, markets effectively, and protects your interests.
Here are 10 questions every Indiana home seller should ask before choosing a listing agent:
1. How well do you know my local market?
A good agent will be able to speak confidently about recent sales in your neighborhood, average days on market, and what makes your area unique. Ask for market data specific to your ZIP code or school district.
2. What’s your pricing strategy for my home?
Overpricing leads to stale listings. Underpricing leaves money on the table. The right agent will use comparable sales (comps), market trends, and their local expertise to price your home accurately.
3. How will you market my home?
Today’s buyers start online, so presentation is everything. Your agent should include high-quality photography, listing optimization, social media promotion, and possibly even video or 3D tours.
4. Do you work full-time in real estate?
You want someone who is fully committed to the business, available during business hours, and highly responsive to showings and inquiries.
5. How often will we communicate, and through what channels?
Consistent communication matters. Ask how often you’ll receive updates, what tools they use to track activity, and whether you’ll be speaking directly with them or someone on their team.
6. Who handles scheduling, showings, and paperwork?
Whether they work solo or with a team, you should know who is responsible for each step—from scheduling showings to preparing the listing paperwork and contracts.
7. What’s your commission rate, and what’s included?
Ask for a full breakdown of the commission. In Indiana, the typical range is 5%–6%, usually split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents. Clarify if that includes marketing costs, staging, or photography.
8. How do you handle negotiations?
A skilled agent should have a strategy for handling multiple offers, inspection requests, and pricing adjustments. Ask for an example of a negotiation they handled successfully.
9. Can you provide recent references or online reviews?
Look for recent, verifiable reviews. Agents who are confident in their work should be happy to share testimonials from past clients.
10. What happens if I want to cancel the agreement?
Make sure there’s a clear exit strategy in case expectations aren’t being met. A flexible listing agreement is a sign of confidence in the service being provided.
Conclusion:
The right listing agent isn’t just someone who puts a sign in your yard. They are a trusted partner who will guide, market, and advocate for you every step of the way. At Talk to Annie Real Estate, we welcome your questions and will walk you through the process with transparency and local expertise.
Ready to sell your home in Indiana? Let’s talk.
Sources:
- https://www.zillow.com/sellers-guide/what-to-ask-your-real-estate-agent/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/questions-to-ask-listing-agent/
- https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/questions-to-ask-real-estate-agent/
Photo Credits: getty
