If you're thinking about selling your home this year, you've probably wondered: Do I really need an agent? And if you've looked up a few names online, you've also realized how fast it gets overwhelming.

Here's the reality: most sellers don't shop around much. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 88% of sellers only contact one agent before hiring someone. That means nearly nine out of ten people go with the first person they talk to.

I get it. Interviewing multiple agents can feel like a chore when all you want is to get the process moving. But asking a handful of smart questions upfront can save you a lot of stress, time, and second-guessing later.

Because there's a difference between hiring a "good" agent and hiring the right agent for your home and your goals, whether you're in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, or FishHawk.

Here are five questions I recommend asking before you sign anything.

1) "How many homes have you sold in the past 12 months?"

This is one of the fastest ways to figure out how active an agent is right now, not five years ago or "over their career."

Follow up with:

• "What was your total sales volume?"
• "Was that you personally, or a team number?"

You're listening for a clear, confident answer with real numbers. If someone's actively selling homes in today's market, they shouldn't have to guess.

2) "How well do you know my specific area?"

Tampa Bay is not one market. Brandon doesn't move exactly like South Tampa. Riverview can feel totally different from Apollo Beach. And FishHawk has its own rhythm.

Ask:

• "How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood or nearby?"
• "What are you seeing right now in my zip code?"

A real local expert will speak in specifics: recent sales, buyer demand, pricing trends, and what's changing month to month.

3) "What experience do you have with homes like mine?"

Not every home needs the same plan. Price point, condition, layout, updates, and even lot location all change the strategy.

Ask:

• "How many homes have you sold in my price range?"
• "Have you sold homes similar to mine?"

The best agents will give you examples quickly and explain what they did to get the home positioned correctly, marketed well, and negotiated strongly.

4) "What's your average days on market?"

Every seller has a timeline, even if they haven't said it out loud. Job moves, school schedules, buying the next home, and life in general all matter.

Ask:

• "What is your average days on market?"
• "How does that compare to the average for homes like mine in this area?"

Then listen for the strategy behind the number. A strong agent should be able to explain what they do early on to generate traction, how they handle feedback, and what adjustments they make if the home doesn't sell within the expected window.

5) "How close do your listings sell to the asking price?"

This is where pricing strategy and negotiation skill show up.

Ask:

• "What is your average list-to-sale price ratio?"

Then follow with:

• "How do you price a home to create demand?"
• "How do you handle multiple offers or low offers?"

A good agent won't just give you a percentage. They'll explain the process in plain English and show you how they protect your bottom line.

The Bottom Line

Selling a home is a big move, and who you hire matters. These five questions cut through the fluff and help you quickly figure out if an agent is truly equipped to sell your home in your part of Tampa Bay, with a plan that matches your goals.

If you want, I'm happy to walk you through what these answers should look like for your specific neighborhood in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, or FishHawk and what buyers are responding to right now.