Top 3 Things to Look for When Hiring a Real Estate Broker to Sell Your Home

Hiring the right broker can be the difference between a smooth, profitable home sale and a stressful, disappointing one. I'm Danny Kahn, a real estate broker with 20+ years experience buying and selling homes in Scottsdale and beyond. Today, I'm here to share the top 3 things every homeowner should look for when choosing a real estate broker to list their property. We know the internet is flooded with these lists of "best" advice. So I'll try and get right to the point and keep it short.

1. A Proven Marketing Strategy (Not Just a Sign in the Yard)

   Sure a yard sign can't hurt, but in today’s market, sticking a sign in the yard and throwing the listing on the MLS just doesn’t cut it. The best brokers have a clear, strategic plan to market your home— online and offline. That includes professional photography, compelling listing copy, social media promotion, email marketing, and agent-to-agent networking.

   
   

   What to Ask

   • “Can you show me examples of how you marketed your last 3 listings?”

   • “Where will my listing be advertised beyond the MLS?”

2. Strong Communication and Negotiation Skills

   Selling your home is a big deal. You deserve clear, prompt, and honest communication from your real estate agent. But beyond communication, your broker also needs to be a skilled negotiator who can protect your price, your timeline, and your terms.

   What to Ask

   
   

   • “How often will I hear from you during the process?”

   • “Can you share a recent negotiation where you got a seller a better deal?”
     

   
   

3. Local Market Expertise—Backed by Results

   It’s not enough for someone to have a license. There are 54,000 licensed real estate agents in Arizona. You want someone who understands your neighborhood, knows how to price a home strategically, and has real experience closing sales in your area. Bonus points if they can interpret market data and explain it in plain English. This narrows that pool drastically.

   What to Ask
   

   • “How many homes have you sold in this area recently?”

   • “What’s your average days on market and list-to-sale ratio compared to the local average?”
     

Key Takeaways When Hiring a Real Estate Broker to Sell Your Home

Selling your home is more than a transaction—it’s a major financial move. Finding the right real estate agent can feel daunting, to say the least. Don’t settle for someone who just “does real estate.” Hire someone who’s prepared, professional, and proven. Asking these questions to the right broker should be a breeze. If they have trouble answering any of them, chances are high they'll have trouble selling your home, too. They can get you more money, better terms, and a lot less stress.

Have more questions? We're here for you. The team at Danny Kahn Realty is ready to help.

Learn More