- When selling a home, a real estate agent is a trained professional who manages the entire process from start to finish, earning a commission of about 3% of the sale price for their services. While many sellers choose to work with an agent, you can also sell on your own as a for sale by owner (FSBO) to save money, but this requires more legwork in listing, marketing, showing, and selling. Alternatively, you could go with a discount real estate company, which offers specific services but lacks the full-service support of an agent, charging lower fees like 1–2% of the sale price or one-time flat fees. Companies like Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell are among the leading companies in this category.
Choosing the Best Way to Sell Your Home
When deciding how to sell your home, you may wonder whether to hire a real estate agent, go FSBO (For Sale by Owner), or work with a discount real estate company. While selling on your own or with a discount company might seem like a good way to save money, you still have to consider the buyer’s commission that you’ll They’ll need to cover the cost if they choose to work with an agent. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- FSBO can save you money, but you’ll spend a lot of time, effort, and aggravation managing the whole home-selling process yourself, from listing to contracts and paperwork.
- A discount real estate company offers specific services but lacks the expertise and full-service support that a real estate agent provides, potentially leaving you to deal with legal issues and financial pitfalls.
- A traditional agent brings professional expertise and handles all the necessary transactions, contracts, and paperwork, making them the best bet, especially for first-time sellers who may not be familiar with the process.
By working with an agent, you ensure that all the hard work and legal transactions are professionally handled.
| Selling Method | Pros | Cons |
| FSBO | Can save money on agent’s commission | Time-consuming, complex paperwork, legal issues |
| Discount Real Estate Company | Lower fees than full-service agents | Limited services, lack of expertise in negotiations |
| Traditional Real Estate Agent | Professional expertise, full support, legal guidance | It comes with a higher commission, but it’s the ideal option for first-time sellers.4o |
“A good agent doesn’t just sell a home—they help you sell it for the best price in the least amount of time.”
Key Services Real Estate Agents Provide When Selling Your Home
- A real estate agent makes the selling process easier by handling several key tasks for you when you’re ready to sell your home. They will first create a profile of your property, including details like the number of rooms, square footage, and bathroom details. They’ll also list your home in an MLS database, which is a multiple listing service that helps other agents and potential buyers find your property. To set the right asking price, your agent will use comparables or comps—recently sold properties in your area. Your agent will take high-quality photos of the interior and exterior, creating marketing materials and a fact sheet to attract buyers. They will also arrange open houses on Sundays, where they’ll answer any questions and relieve you from direct interaction with buyers. When it comes to dealmaking, your agent will work with the buyer’s agent to negotiate terms, handle the paperwork, and guide you through the closing process. Throughout, they will provide representation and assist you with resolving any issues that come up, ensuring the transaction goes smoothly.
| Task | Agent’s Responsibility |
| Profile Creation | List details such as rooms, square footage, etc. |
| MLS Listing | Listing your property in the MLS to increase visibility |
| Price Setting | Use comparables (comps) to determine the right price |
| Marketing Materials | High-quality photos, flyers, fact sheets, etc. |
| Open Houses | Organize and host open houses to attract buyers |
| Negotiation & Closing | Handle negotiations and the entire closing process |
“An agent’s expertise ensures that your home is marketed effectively and sold at the best price.”
Understanding the Legal and Financial Side of Selling a Home: While you mention that agents handle contracts and paperwork, a bit more focus on the legal and financial complexities of selling a home would be helpful. For example, explaining the agent’s role in ensuring that the contract complies with local laws, as well as how they may help with tax implications or property disclosures, could enhance the article.
“Legal and financial complexities in real estate sales can be overwhelming—an experienced agent ensures you’re covered every step of the way.”
Why Local Market Expertise Matters When Selling: The importance of an agent’s local market knowledge could be emphasized more. A good agent will have a deep understanding of the local market, neighborhood trends, and pricing, which can lead to better pricing strategies and quicker sales.
| Key Area of Local Market Knowledge | How It Helps Sellers |
| Neighborhood Trends | Helps set an attractive and competitive asking price |
| Local Pricing | Provides insights on the ideal price point for quicker sale |
| Market Conditions | Advises on whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market |
“A deep understanding of local market trends can make the difference between selling quickly and sitting on your property for months.”
How Agents Help You Stage and Prepare Your Home to Sell: While you discuss the agent’s role in marketing and showing the property, it would be valuable to mention how an agent can advise on home staging or small improvements that can increase the appeal of the home. They can help make suggestions or hire professionals for staging.
“First impressions matter. A home that’s well-staged will attract more buyers and potentially sell faster.”
Effective Marketing Tactics Real Estate Agents Use to Sell Homes: You briefly touch on how agents handle marketing, but expanding this with specific strategies like digital marketing, online ads, social media promotion, and virtual tours could provide a clearer picture of how agents help with home exposure.
| Marketing Strategy | Purpose |
| Professional Photos | Capture buyers’ attention online |
| Virtual Tours | Allow buyers to view the home remotely |
| Online Advertising | Target specific buyer demographics via social media |
| Open Houses | Bring in local foot traffic and increase exposure |
“An effective marketing plan, powered by digital tools, expands your home’s visibility and attracts the right buyers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hiring a real estate agent really worth the commission?
Yes, agents bring professional expertise, handle paperwork, and negotiate better deals, often selling your home faster and at a higher price than you could on your own.
What does a real estate agent actually do when selling a home?
An agent lists your property, markets it, sets the price, hosts showings, negotiates offers, handles legal documents, and guides you through the closing process.
Can I sell my home without an agent and still succeed?
Yes, FSBO is possible, but it requires time, effort, legal knowledge, marketing skills, and confidence in negotiating with buyers and their agents effectively.
How much commission do real estate agents charge?
Real estate agents typically charge around 5–6% of the home’s sale price, usually split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.
What’s the difference between a full-service agent and a discount real estate company?
Full-service agents offer complete support, while discount companies provide limited services at lower fees, requiring more work from the homeowner.
Are there hidden costs in selling a home without an agent?
Yes, you may still need to pay the buyer’s agent commission and cover costs for legal services, marketing, inspections, and negotiation help.
How do agents help with home pricing?
Agents use comparables, market data, and local insights to price your home competitively, helping you attract more buyers and close faster.
Do real estate agents help with home staging?
Yes, many agents advise on staging or recommend professionals to help make your home more appealing and market-ready for potential buyers.
Is a real estate agent necessary for a first-time seller?
Absolutely. First-time sellers benefit greatly from an agent’s knowledge of contracts, legalities, pricing, and overall sales strategy to avoid costly mistakes.
How do agents market homes in today’s market?
Agents use digital ads, MLS, social media, virtual tours, and open houses to reach a wide audience and boost visibility for faster home sales.
Conclusion
In the end, whether or not to hire a real estate agent comes down to your goals, experience, and comfort level with the home-selling process. While FSBO and discount brokerages may seem like cost-saving options, they also come with added responsibilities, potential legal risks, and time-consuming tasks. A full-service real estate agent brings market expertise, legal knowledge, marketing strategies, and negotiation skills that can streamline your sale and often result in a higher final price. For most sellers—especially first-timers—partnering with a trusted agent is not just worth the commission, it’s a smart investment in ensuring a smooth, profitable transaction.
Rhys Henry is a Luxury Realtor & Senior Partner at Tyron Ash International, specializing in South East London & Kent Division. A dedicated real estate agent, Rhys is passionate about helping clients navigate buying, selling, and investing in luxury properties with expert guidance and industry-leading strategies.