Do I Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell My House?

You’re not legally required to hire a real estate agent to sell your house; however, only a small number end up selling without an agent. In Zillow’s 2025 Housing Trends Report, 93% of sellers reported using a real estate agent. The majority said they hired an agent to promote their home and find potential buyers. 

If you choose to sell your house without a real estate agent, keep in mind that some states may require you to hire a real estate attorney to handle the closing paperwork.

When trying to decide if you need a real estate agent to sell your house, there are two ways to think about it: Is it legally required? And is it realistic or practical to sell without an agent? We’ll guide you through the various benefits and considerations to help you decide if you want to work with a listing agent or explore an alternative selling option.

Why use a real estate agent to sell your home?

The majority of sellers hire a listing agent because it's a job that requires skill, dedication, patience and expertise. Most sellers have full-time jobs, and other life limitations that make it hard to dedicate the time necessary to sell their home for top dollar without a real estate agent. 

Sellers often find that the 2.5% to 3% commission they pay their listing agent is fair for the services they provide, according to Zillow’s 2024 Housing Trends Report. The potential for a higher sale price, quicker close and smoother transaction that may come with working with a listing agent often outweighs the cost.

What are the benefits of using a real estate agent to sell your home?

Here are some of the benefits real estate agents can provide sellers:

Prep your home to sell

A real estate agent is familiar with what buyers in your area are looking for. With that insight, they can guide you in prepping your home to make it as appealing as possible before it goes on market. That means helping you decide whether to sell your home as-is or whether to make strategic updates, like landscaping or new paint.

A listing agent can advise you on: 

• A selling timeline
• When to considering a pre-inspection
• How to declutter, clean and stage your home
• The paperwork you’ll need to sell
• The showing process

Agents also often have many connections to professionals you may need during the selling process, such as a contractor or home stager.

Time your home sale

A real estate agent can help you determine the best time to sell your home, whether that’s at a specific time of year, on a Thursday or some other strategy based on the local market. 

You could also use Zillow Preview to get increased exposure to homebuyers on Zillow. With Preview, your listing gets early exposure to the largest online real estate audience in the U.S. This gives you and your agent a better idea of how your listing may perform if you were to list now, before your home even hits the market.

Price your home strategically

Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important steps in getting your house ready to sell. Too high and buyers may skip the listing; too low and you could end up leaving money on the table.

A real estate agent knows how to price your home based on local market trends. Typically, they’ll create a comparative market analysis (CMA) to arrive at the most competitive price, taking your goals and timeline into consideration. The report compares three or more recently sold homes similar to yours in size, age, location and quality to price your home competitively. If your home doesn’t sell, your agent can also help you re-list at a new price.

Market your home

Marketing your home allows it to be seen by interested homebuyers. A real estate agent will know how to leverage your area’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to market your home effectively. When you list your home on the MLS, your listing gets marketed publicly on numerous home search sites, like Zillow, maximizing your home’s visibility to potential buyers. 

Your listing agent can manage all aspects of marketing your home, including:

• Listing description 
• Professional photography and video
• Interactive floorplans and virtual or 3D tours
• For sale signage
• Social media marketing
• Open houses 
• Private showings
• Media outreach if it’s a distinct or high-profile property

In select markets, Zillow partner agents also offer a premium listing experience called Showcase. Showcase gives your listing prioritized placement in Zillow search results, driving 75% more views, saves and shares on average from homebuyers. Showcase listings also sell for $7,000 more on average.*

Manage offers

A real estate agent helps you field offers and determine how to handle them, either accepting, rejecting or counteroffering. This includes:

• Comparing multiple offers
• Reviewing the buyer’s financing
• Negotiating requests for repairs or concessions
• Negotiating closing timelines
• Communicating with the buyer’s agent, loan officer and other parties

Importantly, your listing agent likely has or knows how to build rapport with the buyer’s agent, and they’re familiar with most negotiation tactics. This can make it easier to navigate any back-and-forth on the way to closing.

Can I sell my home without a real estate agent?

Instead of hiring a full-service agent to sell your home, you could put your home on the market as a “for-sale by owner” or FSBO listing, go the iBuyer route, or sell to a cash investor for a fast “as-is” sale. You could also engage a discount broker. They usually provide limited services in exchange for a lower rate. Or, you may choose to sell your home to a family member. Here's a closer look at some of these alternatives to selling your home with an agent:

• FSBO: This DIY approach means you’re doing the pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations and more on your own. 
• Cash offer: While most sellers receive at least one cash offer, 52% still chose a different offer that included a financing contingency.
• Discount broker: You may feel confident doing some tasks yourself and prefer to hire out for a few services, such as paying a flat rate to get your listing on the MLS (where many agents and buyers look first to find homes). Just make sure your listing agreement clearly outlines what your agent is responsible for and which tasks will fall to you.

Is it better to sell your house yourself or with an agent?

Whether to sell your house yourself or with a real estate agent depends on your comfort level, expertise and goals. If you’re an experienced seller or real estate attorney, you may be prepared to fully manage the transaction.

Most sellers, however, find value in professional support. An agent can help you price your home strategically, avoid missteps, expand the pool of buyers and garner stronger offers. 

What to consider when selling for-sale by owner (FBSO) 

Typically, sellers consider a for sale by owner or FSBO in order to save money on real estate agent commissions, which come out of the proceeds of the sale.

Selling your home yourself might save you money, but that also means taking on every step yourself.

• Your home will require prep work: This may include decluttering or depersonalizing and staging the space. Staging may involve renting decor and furnishings.
• You'll want to understand local market trends: It can be easier to FSBO in a sellers market, because homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price, with fewer price cuts. Selling in a buyers market can be more challenging, because it may take longer to get a good offer, and many other listings have a professional agent doing the marketing over the long listing period.
• Pricing your home can be a balancing act: It’s not solely about how much you’d like to profit. You’ll need to find appropriate comparable properties and consider the lot, condition of your home and more. If you overprice your home, your listing may go stale, and you may have to cut the price. If you underprice your home, you could leave money on the table.
• Timing matters when listing a home: If you want to sell your home fast, it’s crucial for it to hit the market at the right time. Early in the sale process, agents spend their time marketing.
• Photos are necessary when selling: You’ll absolutely need photos and may even want to consider drone videos or walkthrough footage. For the best visuals, consider hiring a professional photographer to take photos that showcase your home’s best features.
• Selling may require a marketing plan: This may include writing the listing description; creating an MLS entry; running advertising online or in local publications; purchasing signage; being present for showings; and more.
• You'll communicate with multiple people often: Throughout the process of selling your home, you’ll be in touch with agents, loan officers, inspectors, appraisers and more. You’ll also field questions, take phone calls and schedule tours around the clock.
• You'll manage offers: This often involves determining whether to counteroffer, navigating negotiations and addressing buyer requests for repairs.
• Home sales involve paperwork: If you’re not working with an attorney or settlement agent, you’ll need to understand closing documents and other legalese.
• There are laws for selling a home: You’ll need to know and adhere to seller disclosure laws in your state and fair housing laws. If you’re selling in a state where it’s required, plan to use a real estate attorney at closing. 

The above isn’t a comprehensive list, but it can give you an idea of the effort and time needed when selling a home yourself. Be sure to also consider the emotional load that can come with FSBO. Staying objective in negotiations or when buyers give feedback is key to a successful home sale.

Questions to ask yourself before selling on your own

• Do I have enough free time?
• Do I know the local market?
• Can I price my home to sell?
• Can I remove my emotions from the transaction?
• Can I market my home for maximum exposure?
• Do I know the laws in my state?
• Do I have a plan if my home doesn’t sell?

How do I find a real estate agent to sell my home?

Selling your home isn’t just about the transaction; it’s about protecting your investment and moving confidently into your future. A trusted agent can help you move through each step with clarity and calm. When you’re ready to hire an agent, there are lots of ways to find a great local real estate agent.** 

Here are some of top ways sellers reported finding their agent:

• Search online: 36% of sellers found their agent online. You can explore Zillow’s directory of local agents to read reviews, view past sales, and contact a few to compare. 
• Through a referral: 28% of sellers found their agent through a referral. Referrals from a friend, relative, neighbor or colleague were the most common. 
• On a real estate website or app: 22% of sellers found their agent on a website like Zillow. You can connect with a Zillow partner agent in your area directly on our website who specializes in home sales. 

*All Zillow Showcase claims are based on the data available on our website.

**If you are already working with an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business.