Selling your home is a huge undertaking and, in New York City’s housing market, can be full of nuance and complexity. That’s why choosing the right listing agent is essential. Your ideal listing agent is someone who specializes in the type of home you’re selling, is knowledgeable about your neighborhood, and is a pro at getting your property maximum exposure to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.
According to Zillow Group’s latest Consumer Housing Trends Report, 89% of sellers choose to list with a real estate agent. So whether you’re looking to sell a prewar apartment in the West Village or a condo in Astoria, here’s what you need to know when choosing a listing agent.
How to Find a Listing Agent in NYC
According to a 2025 StreetEasy survey, sellers contacted four agents on average before hiring one to help them sell their home, though many expressed not having a clear understanding of what to look for. More than half of sellers (56%) reported not asking to speak with their agent’s references before hiring them, while 41% said they hadn’t reviewed the agent’s past experience and 44% didn’t ask to see their marketing strategy before hiring them. This lack of due diligence can lead to regret.
We recommend sellers identify and interview at least two potential listing agents to find the best fit. Selling a home is one of the largest financial transactions in most people’s lives, so it’s important to make sure you’re working with the right agent to guide you through the process.
StreetEasy Concierge is a great place to start. This complimentary service allows sellers (and buyers) to chat with a licensed professional to learn more about the home-selling process in NYC. Our Concierge can also match sellers with StreetEasy Experts — a network of NYC real estate agents and teams with verified experience helping clients buy or sell in specific buildings, neighborhoods, or types of properties.
Manhattan Homes Under $1M On StreetEasy Article continues below
What to Ask in an Interview
Make sure to interview your potential agent. Asking the right questions can ensure you and your agent are aligned on your goals and the right strategy to reach them. If you’re not sure what to ask, the following questions are a good place to start and will give you a sense of an agent’s communication and work styles.
“How will you market my home?”
This is one of the most important questions you can ask your prospective listing agent, as there are multiple ways to get eyes on your listing, including marketing listings publicly on sites like StreetEasy. Ask the agent how they plan to get you the sale price you’re looking for within your preferred timeline. You’ll want to make sure they’re tailoring their marketing strategy to your home because selling a home is not one size fits all.
Are they planning to list your home privately? A private listing network is a system in which homes are marketed outside of the public platforms, and are only accessible to a select group of agents and brokers within the network. Listing privately can harm sellers by limiting the visibility of their home. In fact, 1 in 3 NYC sellers who listed privately at any point reported experiencing seller’s remorse — more than twice as many as those who only ever listed publicly.
“I always explain to clients that the best way to get the most money for your property is by showing it to as many people in the shortest amount of time,” said Lisa K. Lippman, a real estate agent at Brown Harris Stevens. “You never know where your buyer is going to come from, so you want to make sure your agent will get you maximum exposure.”
It’s also good to know any other marketing strategies an agent might have in mind for your property. Ask if they provide professional photography and videography, if they’re able to create floor plans, if they use staging, and if they offer virtual tours in addition to in-person ones. In NYC’s competitive market, a well-executed marketing plan can help your property stand out and maybe even sell faster.
“How many homes similar to mine have you sold?”
It’s important to know the level of experience your listing agent has, especially when it comes to selling in your neighborhood and selling similar property types. If they’re a newer agent, find out if they’re on a team with relevant experience.
“How do you keep your clients informed?”
It’s not just about how fast an agent can sell your home or for how much. Knowing your agent’s communication style will also help guarantee a low-stress experience for what might be one of the biggest transactions of your life. Ask the agents you’re interviewing how fast they usually respond to inquiries and pay attention to how well they explain processes and how well they listen and respond to your concerns.
“You want to make sure that the person you’re hiring is going to give you enough attention and is going to be present enough to match your expectations,” explained Lippman. “Ask them what their methods of communication are, what their turnaround time is for getting back to a client, how they stay in touch with the seller.”
“Can I speak to some of your references?”
Asking your agent to connect you to some of their past clients is another good way to gauge their work style and communication methods. Hearing from someone with experience working with your potential agent will let you know how satisfied they were, which may help guide your decision before you commit.
“What market dynamics are you seeing with similar homes that could impact my sale?”
This question will help you gauge the agent’s understanding of the market as a whole and what it might mean for your home specifically. Listen for data points like “days on market” and how much under or over asking price homes have recently sold for in the area — these aren’t just important stats for buyers, they also are key to informing your selling strategy.
Brooklyn Homes Under $1M On StreetEasy Article continues below
What Makes a Great Listing Agent
Ultimately, a good listing agent is someone who will listen to and meet your needs. They will be approachable and friendly, have expert knowledge of your neighborhood and property type, and will have experience closing deals quickly and successfully.
“A great listing agent is someone who knows the product that they’re going to be selling and is familiar with the neighborhood,” said Lippman. “A great agent also employs marketing tools that include a good digital presence.” Make sure your agent has the right tools to market your property, including a compelling website, professional photography, staging, and floor plans, added Lippman.
When selling your home, your agent will be your partner in this large and important transaction. You want someone whom you will feel comfortable with, is candid, and you can trust to act in your best interest. By understanding their role and asking the right questions, you can find an agent who eases the stress of selling your NYC home and delivers a positive selling experience.
Buying a home in NYC? Our complimentary, licensed Concierge will match you with a top buyer’s agent.
StreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C. See real estate licenses. StreetEasy Concierge team members are real estate licensees, however they are not your agents or providing real estate brokerage services on your behalf. StreetEasy does not intend to interfere with any agency agreement you may have with a real estate professional or solicit your business if you are already under contract to purchase or sell property.
