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What Is a Listing Agent?
The listing agent is the real estate agent who represents the seller of a home. They will help the seller price, market, and find a suitable buyer for the property, as well as help with closing details.
How Is It Used in Real Estate?
The term listing agent is used in real estate to help each party understand how the real estate agent they are working with will help them. If you’re a buyer, the listing agent won’t be there to help you through the deal like a selling agent would.
This term is used to identify which real estate agent is representing which party. It is more often used by industry professionals when discussing deal details and not a major term that residential buyers and sellers may use.
Example
John is looking to sell his home. He saw that the market is changing and he wants a smaller home for his upcoming retirement.
He decides to find a listing agent to help him sell his home for the price he wants. John contacts his previous real estate agent, Sofia, and decides to list with her.
Sofia is now John’s listing agent. She will be responsible for selling John’s home so he can downsize as he heads into retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a listing agent help?
There are several ways that a listing agent can help during your home selling process to relieve you of responsibilities. This can include:
MLS listings. The listing agent will make sure the property is live on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)a selling system operated by several real estate boards and associations in Canada.
Open houses & showings. Whether it’s a virtual or in-person open house, the listing agent will help set up and facilitate it.
Access to their network. Having a strong network of professionals to reach out to with new property listings is one way real estate agents bring in new potential buyers for a property.
Online presence. Both websites and social media play a major role in helping attract prospective buyers to a home. A good listing agent will have an online presence that they can use to help the seller find the right buyer.
Develop, present and negotiate offers. Once people have seen the listing, the offers should be rolling in.
And more!
Can a BC real estate agent represent both buyer and seller?
Yes, a real estate agent can be both a listing agent and a selling agent. This is called dual agency, where the buyer and seller have the same agent for the transaction.
Recommended reading: Differences Between the Listing and Selling Agent in Real Estate.