Why 95% of Sellers Choose an Agent — And Why That Matters

There's a reason only 5% of sellers sell without an agent.

I bring that up because every now and then someone will ask me, "Do people still actually use a real estate agent?" And the answer is yes — overwhelmingly so. According to the National Association of Realtors, 95% of home sellers work with a real estate professional. That's not because they have to. It's because they've seen what happens when you try to go it alone.

The ones who tried selling on their own point to the same three sticking points — getting the price right, knowing how to prep the house, and selling on time.

Think about that for a second. Pricing a home isn't just about what you feel your house is worth. It's about what the market is telling you right now — what buyers in your area are willing to pay, how your home compares to similar ones nearby, and how quickly homes in your price range are moving. Price too high and your listing sits. Price too low and you leave money on the table. Either way, it costs you.

Then there's preparation. Sellers who go solo often underestimate what it takes to get a home show-ready. It's not just cleaning and decluttering. It's knowing which repairs actually move the needle and which ones aren't worth the investment. That kind of guidance comes from seeing hundreds of homes hit the market — and knowing what buyers actually notice.

And timing? That's where experience really pays off. Market conditions change week to week. Interest rates shift. Inventory moves. A good agent knows when to push, when to hold, and how to create a sense of urgency that gets offers on the table.

That's a lot to juggle alone. And getting any one of them wrong can cost you time, money, or both.

Here's what I tell every seller I sit down with: you don't have to figure this out by yourself. My job is to handle the hard parts so you can focus on what matters — your next chapter.

That's not a sales pitch. That's just what good representation looks like.

So if you're thinking about selling — now or down the road — let's connect. I'll walk you through exactly where your home stands in today's market and what a smooth, strategic sale looks like for you.

Data source: National Association of Realtors (NAR)

Published by Gary L. Post, The Pinnacle Post Team at RE/MAX Crossroads.