Updated October 2026. A neutral guide for sellers who plan to hire a listing agent: how to choose one, what to read in the listing agreement, and what happens at each of the 11 steps.
To sell a home with a realtor, you interview two or three listing agents, sign a listing agreement, price and prepare the home, then let the agent market it, negotiate offers and guide you to closing. As of October 2026, U.S. homes sold in a median 33 days (NAR, September 2026). The commission is negotiable and isn’t set by law.
Jump to: 🤝 Choosing an agent · 📸 Listing agreement · 🪜 11 steps · 💲 Getting the best price · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- Median time on market was 33 days and the median existing-home price $417,500 in September 2026 (NAR).
- Since August 17, 2024, listing agreements must say plainly that broker fees are fully negotiable and not set by law.
- Offers of pay to a buyer’s agent can’t go on the MLS anymore; you decide separately whether to offer any.
- Read the term, the fee, the cancellation terms and any protection period before you sign.
Hiring an agent is a common choice and a reasonable one, and a full service flat fee realtor is another way to get a person’s help. You hand off the pricing, marketing, showings and negotiation to someone who does it every week. The trick is choosing well and knowing what you’re signing. This guide covers both, step by step.
What should homeowners look for in a good listing agent?
Interview at least two or three agents. Ask each one the same questions, so you can compare answers side by side:
- How many homes like mine have you sold in this area in the last year?
- What price would you list at, and which recent sales support it?
- What’s your marketing plan: photos, video, MLS, open houses, online ads?
- Who will I deal with day to day, you or a team member?
- What is your fee, what does it cover, and is any part of it negotiable?
- How do you handle multiple offers and repair requests?
- Can I end the agreement early, and on what terms?
Then check their license on your state’s real estate commission site and read recent reviews. Be careful with the agent who quotes the highest price. A price that’s too high can mean a longer wait and cuts later. The National Association of Realtors keeps a member directory and explains its Code of Ethics, which REALTORS® agree to follow.
What should you check in a listing agreement?
The listing agreement is the contract between you and the brokerage. Read it before you sign, and ask for changes in writing. Key terms:
| Term | What to check |
|---|---|
| Fee | The rate or flat amount, when it’s earned, and any extra fees |
| Buyer’s agent pay | Whether you authorize any offer to a buyer’s broker, and how much |
| Term | Start and end dates; a shorter term gives you an exit |
| Cancellation | Whether you can end it early, and any fee |
| Protection period | Whether you owe a fee if a buyer the agent introduced buys after the term ends |
| Exclusions | Buyers you already know whom you want excluded |
NAR’s practice changes took effect on August 17, 2024. NAR’s settlement FAQs say written listing agreements must include a conspicuous disclosure that broker fees are not set by law and are fully negotiable. Offers of compensation to buyer brokers can no longer be shown on the MLS. If any term is unclear, a real estate attorney can review it; the American Bar Association has resources for finding one.
How do you sell a home with a realtor, step by step?
Step 1: Research and interview realtors
Use the questions above. Pick the agent whose pricing is backed by real sales and whose plan fits your home.
Step 2: Sign a listing agreement
Negotiate the fee, term and cancellation before you sign. Keep a copy.
Step 3: Set a listing price
Your agent prepares a market analysis of recent sales. Check it against your own research; a home value calculator gives you an independent starting point.
Step 4: Prepare the home
Repair the small things, deep clean and clear the clutter. Your agent may suggest staging or a pre-listing inspection.
Step 5: Handle disclosures and paperwork
Fill in your state’s seller disclosure form honestly, plus the federal lead paint form for most homes built before 1978. Some cities add their own paperwork; see how to sell a house with a realtor in Los Angeles for one example. Gather HOA documents, warranties and permits.
Step 6: Launch on the market
Photos, the MLS listing, portal syndication, showings and open houses. Ask for showing feedback each week.
Step 7: Review and negotiate offers
Your agent explains each offer: price, financing, contingencies, closing date and any request for help with the buyer’s costs. You decide; the agent negotiates for you.
Step 8: Accept an offer and open escrow
The buyer’s deposit goes to escrow or a title company. Deadlines start running.
Step 9: Coordinate the inspection and appraisal
Expect repair requests. If the appraisal is low on a financed deal, you’ll renegotiate, the buyer covers the gap, or the deal may end under the contract.
Step 10: Prepare for closing
Review the settlement statement: payoff, prorated taxes, fees and credits. Ask questions before closing day. The guides from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explain closing documents in plain language.
Step 11: Sign and hand over the keys
Sign the deed and closing papers, then leave the keys, codes and manuals as agreed.
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Buy a home →How do home selling services help homeowners get the best price?
A good agent adds value in a few specific places. Pricing comes first: setting the price close to what similar homes sold for draws more buyers early. Marketing is next: strong photos and broad MLS exposure bring more showings. Then negotiation: an agent who handles multiple offers, repair requests and appraisal gaps can protect your net, not just your price.
Market timing matters too. NAR reported 27% of sales were cash in September 2026, and the median home sat 33 days. A balanced market rewards careful pricing more than a hot one. For a view on rates and costs, Bankrate publishes mortgage and home-selling calculators.
What does it cost to sell with a realtor?
The listing fee is whatever you and the brokerage agree. Here’s what an example 3% would be at a few prices:
| Sale price | Example 3% listing fee* |
|---|---|
| $300,000 | $9,000 |
| $417,500 (U.S. median, September 2026) | $12,525 |
| $600,000 | $18,000 |
*The 3% is an example only. Commissions are not set by law or NAR rules and are fully negotiable. Sellers choose whether to offer any compensation to a buyer’s agent, and how much, and since August 17, 2024 those offers can’t be shown on the MLS. To see where a commission check goes after closing, read how much realtors make on a sale or what a realtor’s commission covers.
What are the alternatives to a full-service realtor?
Do you need a realtor to sell? No, it’s not required; it’s your choice. Some sellers want full service; others want to handle part of it.
- Selling by owner: you do every step. Our guides on FSBO strategies and selling your own home walk through it.
- Flat fee MLS: a broker lists your home on the MLS for a set fee and you handle the rest. See how to sell with a flat fee MLS listing.
- Discount or 1% agents: a lower percentage for a defined service. Compare them in 1% commission vs flat fee MLS.
- Instant-offer companies: speed and certainty, usually at a lower price than the open market.
With a Beycome flat fee MLS listing, Basic is $99 and Enhanced $399, with $0 due to Beycome at closing. If you want people working with you, Beycome Concierge is $1,399: experts negotiate and handle the paperwork, and you stay in control of every decision. You can also compare beycome vs competitors feature by feature.
Frequently asked questions about selling with a realtor
Do I really need a realtor to sell my house?
No, it’s not required; it’s your choice. An agent handles pricing, marketing and negotiation; you can also sell by owner or with a flat fee MLS listing, and the pros and cons of selling without a realtor lay out both paths.
How much do realtors usually charge to sell a home?
There’s no standard rate. The fee is negotiated and written in the listing agreement; it’s not set by law or NAR rules.
Can I negotiate a realtor’s commission?
Yes. Since August 17, 2024, listing agreements must state that fees are fully negotiable. You can also negotiate the term and cancellation terms.
What should I look for when choosing a realtor?
Recent sales like yours nearby, pricing backed by real comps, a clear marketing plan, and fair terms on fee, term and cancellation.
How long does it take to sell a house with a realtor?
Nationally, the median was 33 days on market in September 2026 (NAR), then closing follows the date in the contract.
Will a realtor help me price my home correctly?
A good one will, with a market analysis of recent sales. Check it against your own research before you agree on a price.
Is working with a realtor safer than selling on my own?
An agent knows the forms and deadlines, which lowers the risk of mistakes. By-owner sellers can get similar protection from an attorney or title company.
Can I fire my realtor if I’m not satisfied?
It depends on the listing agreement. Check the cancellation terms and any protection period before you sign.
Do realtors handle everything from start to finish?
Most handle pricing, marketing, showings, negotiation and coordination. You still sign disclosures, make decisions and prepare the home.
What is the difference between a listing agent and a buyer’s agent?
A listing agent represents the seller. A buyer’s agent represents the buyer, under a written agreement signed before touring homes.
Market figures: NAR existing-home sales and REALTORS® Confidence Index, September 2026. Commission figures are examples only; commissions are not set by law or NAR rules and are negotiable.
Beycome prices as of November 2026; Concierge is $1,399 and Basic is $129 in California and Illinois. “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; other closing costs and any agreed buyer-agent compensation still apply. * Cancel free: no cancellation fee (Georgia MLS $25); listings under contract can’t be canceled; no refund once listed. Basic and Enhanced get offer help from the Artur AI assistant; a person negotiates on Concierge. Beycome lists in 17 states and DC. General information, not legal advice; rules vary by state and MLS.
Sources
- NAR, existing-home sales, September 2026, read October 26, 2026.
- NAR, settlement FAQs, read October 26, 2026.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
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