Choosing the Agent Who Promises the Highest Price

This is a classic trap that costs sellers thousands. When interviewing agents, it’s common for one to promise significantly more than others—maybe $430,000 vs. $445,000 vs. $475,000. That highest number sounds amazing, but it’s often a dishonest tactic called “buying the listing.” Some agents will tell you an unrealistic price just to win your business, knowing full well it won’t sell at that level. What really happens is your home sits with no showings and no offers. Weeks go by, then the price drops and drops again. By the time you reach actual market value, your home looks stale and buyers assume something’s wrong with it. The longer it sits, the less you’ll likely get. Instead of choosing based on who flatters you with the biggest price tag, select your agent based on skill, experience, marketing strategy, and most importantly, honesty. Ask hard questions about their pricing rationale, look at their actual sales results, and remember that the best agent tells you the truth and gets it sold, not the one who tells you what you want to hear.