When it comes to selling your home, not all real estate agents (or their commission structures) are created equal. Many sellers unknowingly fall into traps that cost them thousands. From unnecessary upgrades to inflated commission fees disguised as “added value.”
The truth is, getting top dollar for your home shouldn’t mean paying extra for essentials like staging, furniture, or basic improvements.
At The Charles Francis Team, we believe in transparency, integrity, and delivering exceptional service. All without hidden costs or additional commission. So with that in mind here is our list of Do’s and Don’ts (mainly don’ts!) when the time comes to pick a trusted agent.
Don’t list your home with an agent who says staging is unnecessary. This is online dating with a 4 am photo from Oktoberfest 2025. Even homes in very poor condition need staging and preparation. The obvious advantage is that staging renders your home more desirable to buyers. Less obvious is that staging gives the invaluable impression that you have taken care of your home. We stage for free and we paint for free.
Don’t pay extra for staging or furniture rental. We stage for free and we provide furniture – always.
Don’t sign up for a listing with tiered pricing. Some agents charge an additional percentage for commission beyond the standard rate depending on the level of service the owner wants. Everything we do is included at the standard rate.
Don’t sign up for renovations with an agent’s contractor. Agents take advantage of cash strapped sellers. Some encourage the home owner to do unnecessary repairs by offering to add the cost to the commission and deducting it from the proceeds on closing. Repair costs are usually at exorbitant prices. Contracted work is poorly defined and performed by unqualified contractors aligned with the agent. Some agents even add a fee for managing the repairs. This is a scam. If your home needs significant repairs, get several detailed estimates. Assess the competence of the contractor as you would when purchasing any other service. We perform reasonable updates for free.
Don’t sign up for a listing where payment for additional services are deferred until closing (as in the previous example). These listing have clauses requiring the payment of large dollar amounts if the listing expires and is not renewed. Switching agents is virtually impossible as these types of listings require that the seller continuously renew with the same agent.
Do Call The Charles Francis Team for a free no obligation evaluation and to discuss how we can help.