10 questions that separate a marketing plan from a listing agreement.
Before you hire a realtor to sell an inherited home, ask to see the proof.
An inherited home can come with belongings to sort, maintenance to arrange, family decisions, and an estate process to coordinate. Use these questions to understand how an agent will handle the work—and what you can reasonably expect.
- Your priorities: time, money, workload, and family needs.
- Your questions about the house and the sale.
- A willingness to ask: “Can you show me an actual example?”
What performance guarantees do you offer—and will you put them in writing?
Why it matters: A promise matters only when you understand exactly what is promised.
Ask to see or understand: Ask for the written commitments, how performance is measured, your responsibilities, the exceptions, and what happens if the agent does not follow through. Distinguish a service commitment from a guaranteed price or sale date.
My notes / evidence provided
Can you show me how you actively marketed your last three listings?
Why it matters: A listing agreement does not tell you what work will actually happen.
Ask to see or understand: Ask for dated examples of advertisements, buyer outreach, property pages, and campaign reporting. Look beyond the three P’s: pictures, a post sign, and posting on the MLS. Ask what was done, who it reached, what response it generated, and what changed as a result.
My notes / evidence provided
Can you show me an example of your listing sign?
Why it matters: Your yard sign occupies valuable advertising space in front of your home. It should give buyers a reason to want to see inside.
Ask to see or understand: Does the sign tell buyers anything about the house—its features, benefits, or where to get property details—or is it all about the agent? Ask to see a real sign, not a description of what the agent might create.
My notes / evidence provided
Will you compare selling as-is with making improvements, using estimated net proceeds?
Why it matters: The highest proposed listing price does not necessarily leave the most money after costs.
Ask to see or understand: Ask for side-by-side options showing likely sale ranges, preparation costs, carrying costs, selling expenses, time, and assumptions. Estimates are not guarantees. You should understand what you are spending and what benefit is realistically expected.
My notes / evidence provided
How will you identify property-condition issues before buyers do?
Why it matters: Surprise issues can affect negotiations, financing, timing, and your budget.
Ask to see or understand: Ask how the agent evaluates the property, when an independent inspection or specialist is appropriate, and how findings influence preparation and marketing. An agent’s observations are not a substitute for a formal inspection or specialist advice.
My notes / evidence provided
Who will help coordinate belongings, clean-out, repairs, and access?
Why it matters: An inherited home often involves work well before the listing goes live.
Ask to see or understand: Ask who schedules vendors, obtains written estimates, authorizes work, controls access, and checks completion. Clarify what the agent handles, what costs extra, and what remains your responsibility. Confirm legal authority before removing or distributing belongings.
My notes / evidence provided
How will you coordinate with our attorney and title company?
Why it matters: A property sale needs to fit the estate’s actual authority, documents, and requirements.
Ask to see or understand: Ask how authority and title requirements are confirmed, who tracks sale-related deadlines, and how issues are communicated. The attorney handles legal advice; the agent should explain how the real estate work fits that process.
My notes / evidence provided
How will you keep us informed, especially if we live out of town?
Why it matters: You should not have to keep asking whether anything is happening.
Ask to see or understand: Request an example seller update showing completed marketing, property inquiries, showings, buyer feedback, and next steps. Agree on frequency, the main point of contact, and who is authorized to receive information or make decisions.
My notes / evidence provided
How will you compare offers beyond the purchase price?
Why it matters: A higher offer can come with different costs, conditions, and uncertainty.
Ask to see or understand: Ask for a written comparison of estimated net proceeds, financing, contingencies, repair exposure, possession, closing date, and execution risks. Ask the agent to explain the tradeoffs in terms of your priorities.
My notes / evidence provided
What is your plan if the home is not attracting the right buyers?
Why it matters: You need a decision process after launch as well as a launch plan.
Ask to see or understand: Ask how the agent reviews presentation, reach, inquiries, showings, feedback, competing homes, and pricing. Ask when you will review the results together and what evidence supports the next recommendation.
My notes / evidence provided
Your home should have a plan of its own.
At Fishnick Realty Advisors, the conversation starts with your property, priorities, and options. Ask Jeremy to show you the approach he recommends for your home: preparation choices, estimated costs and proceeds, property-focused marketing, communication, and the next steps.
Ask to see the actual materials and any written service commitments before deciding. You remain in the driver’s seat.
Created by Jeremy Fishnick, real estate professional · Fishnick Realty Advisors. Independent educational information. Not a government agency, probate court, or law firm. Confirm legal and tax questions with your attorney and tax professional. No sale result, price, or timing is guaranteed by this guide.