How to Choose the Right Listing Agent to Sell Your Home

By Brandie Jones

With nearly 20 years of experience and hundreds of homes sold since 2006, Brandie Jones is known for putting people first.

What makes a home sell quickly and for top dollar? More than anything, it starts with choosing the right listing agent. Your home is likely your largest investment, so you want someone experienced, skilled, and trustworthy guiding the sale to get you the best deal and the most money.

This is the first lesson in my Savvy Sellers Guide, where I walk you through selling your home one step at a time, starting with choosing the right listing agent.

I’m Brandie Jones with the Kingdom Realty Team at Keller Williams SELA, and after nearly 20 years and hundreds of homes sold, here’s what to look for, and the questions to ask before you hire anyone.

Start with experience. Think about choosing a surgeon. You’d want someone who has performed the operation many times, and the same logic applies to a real estate agent. An agent with a solid track record knows how to market your home, handle negotiations, and tackle the issues that inevitably come up during a sale. Experience is what turns a complicated, high-stakes process into a smooth one, which matters a great deal when you’re preparing your home for sale.

Dig into the marketing plan. Ask any agent you’re considering how they plan to market your home. A great one uses a mix of traditional and digital strategies: professional photos that highlight your home’s best features, virtual tours that let buyers explore online, social media advertising to reach a wide audience, and listings on the major real estate websites where buyers are searching. The goal is simple: getting your home in front of as many qualified buyers as possible. Strong marketing pairs naturally with smart preparation, like knowing which projects actually add value and how to prepare for showings before you list.

Check reputation and references. Reputation tells you a lot. Look up online reviews, ask for references, and talk to people who have actually worked with the agent. A respected agent will have positive reviews and a strong presence in the community. It’s also worth confirming the basics of their credentials, including whether they’re a Realtor, since NAR members commit to a Code of Ethics that goes beyond a standard license.

Look for a strong team behind the agent. A well-supported agent simply delivers better service. Behind the scenes, that can mean support staff to handle paperwork, marketing experts to promote your home, and a network of other agents who bring more potential buyers to the table. When you hire an agent with a real team, you’re getting all of that working for your sale, not just one person stretched thin.

Ask the right questions. When you interview agents, come prepared. Ask whether they’re a Realtor, what additional real estate courses they’ve taken, how they’ll market your home, and whether they can show you examples of that marketing. Ask how many homes they’ve sold, how long they’ve been in the industry, and who else will be involved in the process. The answers tell you quickly whether someone has the experience and support to handle your sale, and knowing the best time to sell is a great question to add to the list.

Choosing the right listing agent is one of the most important steps in selling your home, so take your time, do your research, and ask the right questions. If you’re thinking about selling in Los Angeles County and want to talk it through, I’d love to help. Call or text me at 310-930-5495, email me at bjones@kingdomrealtyteam.com, or visit kingdomrealtyteam.com. I’d be glad to walk you through your home sale from start to finish.