Listing agent
The agent who represents the seller. They market the home, run showings, negotiate on the seller's behalf, and manage the deal to closing.
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Where this comes up in a sale, and what follows
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
The listing agent is the one you hire, under the listing agreement, to price, market, show and negotiate. Their fee is the biggest line on your side of the closing statement, and their skill is most of what it buys.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
You interview three listing agents. Each brings a CMA, a marketing plan and a fee. One suggests a price $20,000 above the other two.
| What the listing agent does | What to weigh |
|---|---|
| Prices the home | Whether the comps support the number, or the number wins the listing |
| Markets and shows it | Photos, the MLS, and how showings are handled |
| Negotiates for you | Their record, and how they talk about the other side |
The listing agent is the one person in the sale who works for you. Choosing them is the first decision.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That the highest suggested price is the best agent. It is often the agent who wants the listing most, and the cut comes later.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
Your Room defines listing agent in the step you meet it in, beside the document or the date it belongs to. Free to set up, with an agent or on your own.
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