05/20/2026
I’ve seen homeowners spend weeks interviewing agents trying to negotiate commission down by a percent or two… and then lose tens of thousands because of poor pricing, weak negotiation, bad marketing, or an agent who didn’t know how to position the home properly.
One situation always stuck with me...
A homeowner chose another agent because the commission was slightly lower and they promised an unrealistically high sale price. On paper, it sounded great. More money in their pocket, lower fees, higher list price. Easy decision, right?
But then the house sat and the showings slowed down.
Price reductions started and the buyers began wondering what was wrong with the property.
And by the time an offer finally came in, the sellers were exhausted, stressed, carrying extra mortgage payments, and negotiating from a weaker position.
In the end, they sold for less than they likely would have if the home had been positioned properly from day one.
That’s the part people don’t talk about enough.
The wrong advice doesn’t always look wrong at the beginning. Sometimes it sounds exciting. Sometimes it sounds cheaper. Sometimes it tells you exactly what you want to hear.
Until it costs you.
A good agent’s job isn’t just to put a sign in the yard. It’s to protect your leverage, your timing, your negotiating position, and one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make.
