How to Choose a Listing Agent: Questions to Ask

Choose a listing agent on evidence, not promises: interview at least two or three, ask each to explain their price with recent closed sales, and compare their written marketing plans and fees side by side. Before you sign, confirm the agent's New York license on the Department of State's free eAccessNY search and check for disciplinary decisions.

Most advice on this topic comes from agents marketing themselves. This guide is written from the seller's side. It gives you a checklist to use in the interview, what a good pricing presentation looks like, and the warning signs to watch for.

Step 1: Build a shortlist from real sales

The best signal is recent closed sales near you, in your building type and price range. Look at recent NYC sales on Roofy for your area, note which listings in your building or on your block sold well, and ask neighbors who sold recently who they used. For a co-op or condo, ask the managing agent which brokers have closed deals in the building; an agent who knows the board's requirements can screen buyers better.

Step 2: Verify the license and record

1. 1

   Search eAccessNY

   Open the Department of State's public license search. You can search by name, by name within a license type (such as Salesperson, Associate Broker or Individual Broker), by license number, city or county. The Department of State notes that its licensee searches are limited to active licenses.
2. 2

   Match the person to the firm

   A salesperson can’t work independently; they work under a licensed broker. Check that the brokerage named on the license matches the firm on the agent’s business card and the listing agreement.
3. 3

   Check for disciplinary decisions

   The Department of State's Division of Administrative Hearings page has a search for decisions and consent orders. Search the agent's and the firm's names. No result isn't a guarantee, but a result is worth asking about.
4. 4

   Search the address history

   Ask for the addresses of the agent’s last few sales, then check the closed prices yourself. Compare the final sale price with the original asking price where you can.

Step 3: The interview checklist

Bring this list to each interview and tick off what each agent covered. Progress saves in this browser, so you can reset it between agents.

What a good pricing presentation contains

Check the net figure yourself with the seller net proceeds calculator, and read how to price your home so you can judge the comparables.

Warning signs

• Buying the listing. An agent who quotes far above everyone else may be trying to win your signature, then push for price cuts later.
• Pressure to sign today. A long exclusive term with no cancellation right, or vague marketing commitments.
• No agency disclosure. New York requires the listing agent to give you the agency disclosure form before you sign a listing agreement. If it's missing, ask for it.
• Unclear fees. Commission described as “standard” or “set.” Commission is negotiable and not set by law.
• Discouraging an attorney. In NYC sales, your attorney negotiates the contract. A good agent works with them.

Comparing offers from agents

Put each agent's proposal into the same table: recommended price, commission, buyer-agent compensation approach, agreement length, cancellation terms and marketing spend. Then estimate your net from each with the real estate commission calculator. The cheapest commission isn't always the best net if the marketing is weaker.