A seller’s guide to hiring the right realtor in Minneapolis St Paul
If you are thinking about selling your home, choosing the right listing agent is one of the biggest decisions you will make. The truth is that most homes do not sell themselves. They sell because the plan behind the listing is smart, timely, and dialed in to what buyers are reacting to right now.
A great agent does more than put your home on the MLS and host an open house. A great agent protects your equity, reduces stress, and guides every decision so you walk away with the best possible outcome.
This guide breaks down what top tier listing agents actually do, what to ask in interviews, and what to watch out for so you can hire with confidence.
Why your listing agent matters more than you might think
Your home’s final sale price is not only about how nice the house is. It is about strategy.
Pricing affects urgency, demand, and the number of offers you receive.
Preparation affects how buyers feel the moment they walk in.
Marketing affects who sees your home and how quickly they act.
Negotiation affects your net, not just the headline price.
A weak plan in any one of these areas can cost you thousands. A strong plan often creates competition that pushes your price higher and keeps your terms favorable.
Five things great listing agents do that average agents often skip
1. They price with data and with buyer psychology
A strong agent does not pick a number because it sounds good. They build a pricing strategy based on three things.
Recent comparable sales.
Current active competition.
Today’s buyer behavior in your neighborhood.
In a market like Minneapolis St Paul, price is also about momentum. The right number attracts more buyers in the first week, which often leads to multiple offers and stronger terms. Overpricing almost always does the opposite. It slows showings, weakens urgency, and forces a later price drop that buyers notice.
2. They create a prep plan that makes your home feel irresistible
Most sellers do not need a full remodel. They need the right improvements.
A great listing agent walks through your home with fresh eyes and helps you focus on the updates that create real return, such as:
Paint and lighting adjustments that brighten key spaces.
Minor repairs that remove objections during showings.
Decluttering and furniture placement so rooms feel bigger.
Curb appeal updates that make the entry feel welcoming.
The best agents also help coordinate vendors when needed. That can include cleaners, stagers, painters, or handymen. The point is simple. You should never have to guess what matters most.
Putting a listing on the MLS is the minimum. Great agents run a full launch.
Professional photography that highlights light, layout, and flow.
Video or virtual tours so buyers feel invested before they arrive.
Strategic online marketing targeted to active buyers.
Clear, compelling listing descriptions that sell the lifestyle, not just the specs.
Strong agent to agent outreach so the right buyers hear about it early.
This is what creates buzz. Great marketing does not just inform buyers that your home exists. It makes them want it.
4. They manage showings to build urgency, not exhaustion
Showing management is where many listings lose steam.
A great agent structures the first week to maximize traffic while keeping your life manageable. They know when to push for high volume showings and when to protect your schedule. They also give you real time feedback from buyers and agents, so you are never in the dark about what the market is saying.
5. They negotiate the whole deal, not just the price
A strong offer is not always the highest price on paper. It is the offer that protects your goals.
Great agents look at:
Financing strength and risk level.
Inspection terms and what they could lead to later.
Appraisal gaps and how to reduce surprises.
Closing timelines and possession needs.
Contingencies that might weaken certainty.
Then they negotiate to improve what matters. Sometimes that is price. Sometimes it is fewer repairs, faster timelines, stronger earnest money, or a cleaner path to closing. The outcome you want is a smooth sale with a strong net. A great agent keeps the focus there.
Sellers who get the best results ask better questions. Here are the ones I recommend.
How do you decide on a list price? Ask for a clear explanation tied to real data.
What is your plan for the first week on market? This reveals whether they understand launch timing and buyer urgency.
How will you market my home beyond the MLS? Listen for specifics. Photos alone are not a full plan.
How often will we communicate and how? You want clarity on updates, feedback, and response time.
How do you handle low offers or slow activity? You want an agent who stays calm and strategic.
What results have you had in this neighborhood or price range? Experience in your pocket of the market matters.
If their answers feel vague or generic, trust that feeling.
Red flags to watch for
Here are the most common warning signs.
They promise an unusually high price with no data.
They do not mention a prep strategy.
They rely only on the MLS for marketing.
They are slow to respond or unclear about communication.
They talk more about themselves than about your goals.
A confident agent will welcome your questions and give you straight answers.
What it looks like to work with Travis Erickson
Every seller is different, so the plan should be personal. Here is the process I use with my clients.
Walkthrough and strategy session - We tour your home together, talk through your timeline, and map out a prep plan focused on return.
Pricing meeting - I pull neighborhood specific data and explain the pricing strategy clearly so you can choose the right launch number with confidence.
Launch plan- We schedule photos, finalize details, and prepare marketing so the first week creates a strong wave of interest.
Offer review and negotiation - I organize offers clearly, explain the risk and upside of each one, then negotiate to protect your goals.
Closing support - I stay hands on through inspection, appraisal, and closing so you are not dealing with surprises alone.
My job is to make the sale feel clear, steady, and successful from start to finish.
If you are thinking about selling in Minneapolis St Paul or anywhere in the Twin Cities, give me a call. I am happy to walk through your home, talk about pricing, and give you a real game plan whether you list next month or next year. Whether you choose me for the job or not, I will provide a free, no obligation home evaluation.
