10 Lies that Realtors tell Home Sellers

Most real estate agents are honest, but sellers hear plenty of sales pitches when they interview agents, and some of the most common lines don't hold up. Knowing them helps Utah sellers hire the right agent and set realistic expectations. Here are ten things sellers commonly hear and how to check each one.

1. "Your home is worth more than the others said."

Quoting a high price to win a listing is common enough to have a name in the industry: "buying the listing." An overpriced home tends to sit, collect price reductions and sell for less than a well-priced home would have. Ask every agent for the comparable sales behind their number, and remember the seller sets the price. See why comparable sales matter when pricing a home or get a free home value estimate.

2. "Commissions are standard."

Commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. Since the 2024 national settlement, buyer-agent compensation is no longer advertised in the MLS, buyers sign written agreements with their own agents, and sellers decide whether to offer anything toward a buyer's agent. Ask how the agent is paid, what's included, and what you're agreeing to before you sign. More background: what to know about agent commissions in Utah.

3. "I sold 100 homes last year."

Big numbers can be real, but they're often a team's total, not one agent's. Ask how many sales the agent personally handled and who will actually manage your listing day to day.

4. "I've been doing this for years."

Easy to verify: the Utah Division of Real Estate has a public license lookup that shows when an agent was licensed and any disciplinary history. Experience matters less than effort and skill, but it should be stated honestly.

5. "I'm a specialist."

"Luxury specialist," "relocation specialist" and similar titles are often marketing, not credentials. Ask for recent sales in your price range and neighborhood.

6. "I'm the only one who markets online."

Every MLS listing in Utah is syndicated to the major home-search sites. What separates agents is the quality of the photos, video, description and pricing, and how actively they promote the home beyond the automatic feeds. Ask to see the marketing from a recent listing.

7. "My social media will sell your home."

Social media can help get attention, but follower counts don't sell homes. Ask what results the agent's posts and ads have actually produced.

8. "The open house is how we'll find your buyer."

Only a small share of buyers find the home they buy at an open house; most find it online or through their own agent. Open houses can still help a listing, and they're also a good way for agents to meet new buyers. Read more in do open houses actually help sell your home in Utah?

9. "I already have a buyer for your home."

Owners selling on their own or whose listings expired often hear this. Sometimes it's true, but it's frequently a way to start a listing conversation. Ask to have the buyer make an offer or schedule a showing before signing anything.

10. "We'll get multiple offers right away."

That depends on price, condition, location and the current market, not on promises. Ask for recent days-on-market and sale-to-list figures for homes like yours, and look at local market data such as the St. George home value page.

How to Interview Agents

• Interview two or three agents and compare their pricing evidence, not just their number.
• Ask for a written marketing plan and samples from recent listings.
• Ask how often they'll update you and how.
• Read the listing agreement carefully, including the term, fees and cancellation terms.

For more ideas, see 10 secrets to selling your Utah home faster.

Bottom Line

The best protection is simple: ask for evidence behind every claim, verify licenses and track records, and remember that you control the price and the terms. For a straightforward pricing conversation, contact Best Utah Real Estate.