How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home

🔑 Top 5 Tips to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent

Table of Contents

• 1. Experience & Local Expertise
• 2. Credentials & Reputation
• 3. Proactive & Responsive Approach
• 4. Realistic Pricing Strategy
• 5. Trust Your Gut
• 6. Featured Listings
• 7. Conclusion
• 8. Learn More

Choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your home sale. A top agent helps you sell quickly and at peak value, while the wrong fit could leave you frustrated and in limbo.

In today’s competitive market, selecting an agent with exemplary skills, strong local knowledge, and a genuine commitment to your goals is more important than ever. Below are five essential tips—expanded with actionable advice and real-world examples—to ensure you partner with the best agent in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

1. Experience & Local Expertise

Shannon Barnum, REALTOR® at Modern Market REALTORS®

When selling your home, you want someone who knows the ins and outs of your neighborhood. An agent with extensive experience in Fargo, Moorhead, or the surrounding communities will have insights into:

• Recent sale prices of comparable homes in your area, giving you an accurate benchmark for setting list price.
• Local buyer demographics—whether families, retirees, or first-time homeowners—so they can tailor marketing to the right audience.
• Seasonal trends, such as the best months to list and when inventory is lowest, allowing your home to stand out.
• Preferred marketing channels, including neighborhood-specific Facebook groups, local newspapers, and MLS syndication platforms that reach the most active buyers.

For example, if your property is in a school district known for highly rated elementary schools, an experienced agent will advertise that feature prominently during back-to-school season when family buyers are most active. On the other hand, a novice agent might miss that nuance and list your home at a suboptimal time.

To vet an agent’s local expertise:

1. Request Market Reports: Ask potential agents for a recent comparative market analysis (CMA). A well-prepared CMA demonstrates not only their knowledge of current listing and sale data but also how they interpret trends to advise clients.
2. Attend Open Houses: Visit open houses in your neighborhood and observe how the listing agent presents the property. Take note of signage, printed brochures, virtual tour tools, and the agent’s ability to answer detailed questions from visiting buyers.
3. Inquire About Certifications: Many agents pursue additional training, such as the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation or GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute) courses. These certifications often indicate a commitment to ongoing education in real estate best practices.

By selecting an agent who has sold multiple homes in your zip code, you’re positioning yourself to benefit from the tactics that consistently deliver results—faster sales, higher final sale prices, and smoother transactions.

2. Credentials & Reputation

A glowing track record isn’t just about years in the business—it’s about consistent client satisfaction. To gauge an agent’s reputation:

• Read Online Reviews: Platforms like Google My Business, and Realtor.com feature client reviews that highlight communication style, negotiation skills, and overall satisfaction. Look for agents with at least a 4.5-star average and read both positive feedback and any constructive criticism.
• Request References: Ask an agent to provide recent client references—ideally within the last six months. Speaking directly to past clients can give you firsthand insight into how the agent handled challenges, managed timelines, and provided support from listing to closing.
• Verify Licensing & Disciplinary History: Check your state’s real estate commission website to confirm an agent’s license status and verify they have no unresolved complaints or disciplinary actions.

Additionally, an agent who has earned designations like Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), or e-Pro certification may have advanced knowledge of online marketing, digital lead generation, and seller-specific negotiation strategies. These credentials can translate into a more polished and efficient process for you.

Example: An agent with a high volume of five-star reviews often indicates an ability to consistently exceed seller expectations. Conversely, if you see repeated mentions of “slow to respond” or “poor communication,” that’s a red flag. Trustworthy real estate professionals welcome transparency about feedback and openly share any areas they’re working to improve.

3. Proactive & Responsive Approach

In a fast-moving market, every minute counts. A truly proactive agent anticipates potential issues before they arise, communicates frequently, and keeps you updated on every showing, feedback report, and market shift. Here’s how to evaluate responsiveness:

• Initial Contact Speed: Note how quickly an agent responds to your inquiry—whether by phone, email, or text. If they take more than 24 hours to reply, consider it a warning sign that communication may lag during your transaction.
• Communication Preferences: Ask if they prefer phone calls, text messages, or email. A good agent will adapt to your preferred method and respect your schedule—whether you’re in the office or checking on listings while commuting.
• Weekly Updates Plan: Request a clear outline of how they’ll provide updates—weekly calls, email summaries, or a shared online portal to track offers, showings, and feedback. Transparency fosters trust and ensures you stay in the loop.

To illustrate, imagine you receive an all-cash offer that requires a 30-day close. A proactive agent will have already prepared your title work, lined up a local home inspector, and coordinated with the buyer’s lender or relocation company. Rather than scrambling at the last minute, they lead with a detailed checklist so you know exactly what to expect at each milestone.

4. Realistic Pricing Strategy

Setting the right price from day one is critical. Overpricing can lead to stale listings, multiple price reductions, and buyer skepticism. Underpricing may leave money on the table. Here’s how a skilled agent approaches pricing:

• Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): A comprehensive CMA examines recently sold homes with similar square footage, lot size, age, and condition. The agent should walk you through at least three to five comparable sales and explain adjustments based on upgrades or unique features.
• Adjusting for Market Velocity: In a seller’s market with low inventory, homes can command a slight premium above comps. Conversely, in a buyer’s market with higher supply, pricing slightly below comps can generate multiple offers and create a bidding war. Your agent should know exactly where your market falls.
• Psychological Price Points: Buyers often search using round numbers (e.g., $299,900, $300,000). Pricing at $299,900 instead of an even $300,000 can make your home appear more attractive in digital search filters. Your agent should explain these psychological tactics during pricing discussions.
• Regular Market Reassessment: Even after listing, the agent should review daily and weekly market updates. If comparable listings abruptly drop in price or new competition enters the market, they must be prepared to recommend an adjustment quickly.

For instance, let’s say your home has a newly renovated kitchen with quartz countertops—a feature that comparable sales from 12 months ago didn’t have. An experienced agent might add a 2–3% upward adjustment to the ARM (Adjusted Reference Market) price to reflect that value. Communicating exactly how that adjustment is calculated gives you confidence in the list price and helps you negotiate from a position of knowledge.

5. Trust Your Gut

Beyond all metrics, the intangible aspects of an agent’s personality matter. You’ll spend weeks—even months—working closely with this person, reviewing offers, and making pivotal decisions. Trust your instincts on:

• Honesty & Transparency: Does the agent admit when they don’t know an answer, then commit to finding it? Humility and honesty build trust faster than any marketing spiel.
• Listening Skills: Are they attentive to your priorities (timeline, net proceeds needed, willingness to stage, etc.)? A good agent mirrors your communication style and truly hears your concerns.
• Negotiation Style: Ask for examples of challenging negotiations they’ve navigated. Do they advocate assertively for sellers while maintaining respect for buyers? Empathy and rigor in equal measure often yield the best results.
• Long-Term Relationship Potential: Many clients continue working with the same agent for future moves or refer friends and family. If you feel an immediate rapport—shared values or a positive first impression—it’s a strong indicator they’ll handle your transaction with care.

For example, one seller described her agent’s personality as “refreshingly genuine—like talking to a neighbor who happens to know real estate.” That agent was responsive at every turn, even late on weekends, because of that personal connection. Eight months later, the seller called the same agent to help purchase her retirement home—proof that chemistry and trust lead to lifelong client relationships.

Featured Listings

Success Stories

“Thanks to Jim and Shannon’s local expertise, our home sold in just 3 days at 8% above asking price. Their guidance on pricing and staging made all the difference!”

— Karen & Alex T., Moorhead

“Their proactive communication kept us informed every step of the way. We felt confident and supported, and our property sold above list in a competitive market.”

— Michael & Dana S., Fargo

“Jim and Shannon’s realistic pricing strategy and marketing plan generated multiple offers within days. We couldn’t have asked for a smoother transaction.”

— Raj & Emily P., West Fargo

Swipe or scroll to read more success stories

These curated listings showcase a range of properties, from cozy starter homes to spacious family residences. Each slideshow item provides up-to-date pricing, photo galleries, and key specifications (beds, baths, and square footage) to help you compare properties at a glance.

Remember, a trusted real estate professional not only markets your home effectively but also understands how to position it against similar listings. By working with an agent who also curates buyer-facing listings, you gain insight into what appeals to today’s buyers—knowledge that can shape your staging, photography, and pricing strategies.

Home Selling Services in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo & Horace

Conclusion

Selecting the right real estate agent requires a balance of tangible metrics—experience, credentials, communication prowess, and pricing acumen—as well as intangible factors like personality and trust. By diving deeper into these five tips, you can:

• Partner with someone who knows your neighborhood inside out.
• Verify an agent’s reputation through credentials, reviews, and direct references.
• Ensure they proactively manage your sale with clear, timely communication.
• Set a list price informed by data, strategy, and psychological pricing tactics.
• Trust your instincts and choose an agent you genuinely enjoy working with.

When you align these factors, you’re not just hiring an agent—you’re establishing a winning partnership. That partnership will guide you through staging advice, open house planning, multiple offer negotiations, inspection contingencies, and a seamless closing process. Above all, it will give you confidence and peace of mind knowing a professional is diligently working to achieve your best outcome.

Learn More

Watch our video to discover additional seller strategies and client testimonials:

Page last updated: June 03- 2025