Choosing who sells your home is one of the biggest decisions in the process. On the barrier islands, where condo rules, flood zones and insurance questions come up in almost every sale, local experience matters. Here are the questions we’d ask if we were in your shoes, including of us.
Key takeaways
- Check the agent’s Florida license on the state’s public lookup.
- Ask how they’ll price your home, and expect recorded sales, not guesses.
- Ask exactly how they’ll market it: photos, online exposure and showings.
- Read the listing agreement for its length, fees and how to end it.
Questions to ask
Experience
- How many homes have you sold in my building or neighbourhood?
- Do you know the association’s rules for showings, move-outs and approvals?
- Can I see homes you’ve sold recently? Our sold listings page shows ours.
Pricing
- Which recorded sales are you using, and why are they comparable?
- How would you adjust for floor, view, updates and flood zone?
- What will you do if we don’t get showings in the first few weeks?
Marketing and communication
- Who takes the photos, and do you use floor plans or video?
- Where will the listing appear?
- How often will you update me, and how?
Check the license
Every Florida real estate licensee can be looked up on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website. You can see the license status and any public discipline.
Understand the listing agreement
| Term | What to check |
|---|---|
| Length | How long the listing runs |
| Commission | What you’ll pay and when, which is always negotiable |
| Cancellation | How you can end the agreement early |
| Exclusions | Any buyers you’ve already found yourself |
| Marketing promises | What’s written into the agreement |
Our tip: Ask for a written pricing analysis with the recorded sales attached. Our guide to pricing with recorded sales shows what a good one looks like.
Red flags
- A price far above recent recorded sales with no explanation.
- Vague answers about marketing.
- Pressure to sign a long agreement on the spot.
- Little knowledge of condo rules, flood zones or insurance.
What this means for you
Interview two or three agents, compare their pricing reasoning and choose the one you trust to tell you the truth. Read our seller’s guide, see how we list homes, or meet our team.
We’d be glad to be one of your interviews. Contact us.