Ep008: What to Expect from Your Listing Agent (Even if Your Listing Agent is YOU!)

Selling a home isn’t just putting a sign in the yard and waiting. In this episode of All Things Real Estate, Chris McAllister and Laci LeBlanc break down what a professional listing agent actually does—step by step—and what you’ll need to take on if you decide to sell on your own.You’ll learn how to think like the CEO of your home sale (not a homeowner), why emotions can quietly sabotage pricing and negotiations, and how today’s marketing and tech tools (photos, 3D tours, digital scheduling, e-signatures) can either elevate your listing—or amplify the wrong strategy.Whether you’re hiring an agent or being your own agent, this conversation will help you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and get to the closing table with fewer surprises.KEY TAKEAWAYSThink like a CEO, not a homeowner: make decisions based on evidence, not nostalgia.Your home needs a coordinated marketing plan: consistent story + strong presentation across every channel buyers use.Professional photos matter: not just for “pretty pictures,” but for perceived value and competitiveness.Prep wins: Chris’s top 3 must-dos are Tidy Up (declutter), Clean Up (spotless), Fix Up (small repairs).Pricing isn’t a guess: use recent comparable sales, supply/demand, days on market—and avoid “testing the market.”The first 2 weeks are critical: online platforms reward “fresh” listings; overpricing can cost you attention and credibility.Zillow Zestimate is a data point, not a strategy: useful for context, risky as a final answer.Offers are the beginning, not the finish line: financing strength, contingencies, timelines, and closing probability matter.Quiet professionalism = calm + proactive management: deadlines, inspections, appraisal, lender/title coordination.Minimum communication rhythm: weekly updates at minimum; after-showing updates when possible (even if there’s “no news”).P.S. Want more practical tips for buying and selling real estate? Our ever-growing library of books, blog posts, podcast episodes, masterclasses, documents, and other tools is at your fingertips.Learn More >>> The All Things Real Estate Resource Hub