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.

Also called seller's agent · Agents & representation · Updated September 2026

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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.

Listing agent: a simple example
What the listing agent doesWhat to weigh
Prices the homeWhether the comps support the number, or the number wins the listing
Markets and shows itPhotos, the MLS, and how showings are handled
Negotiates for youTheir 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

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