Who is typically hired by the seller in a real estate transaction?

In a real estate transaction, the seller typically hires a listing agent. The primary responsibility of the listing agent is to represent the seller’s interests, helping them to price, market, and sell the property effectively. The listing agent has a fiduciary duty to the seller, which means they must act in the seller's best interest throughout the transaction.

The listing agent will often utilize various strategies and market knowledge to promote the property, including staging advice, professional photography, and listing it on multiple platforms, including the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Their expertise helps ensure the property is competitive in the market, ultimately working towards getting the best possible price for the seller.

While an agent who utilizes a Multiple Listing Service also serves an important role—particularly in creating visibility for the listing—this service is often employed by the listing agent as part of their marketing strategy. Similarly, a buyer's agent represents the interests of the buyer, and a selling agent typically refers to the agent who brings the buyer to the deal, which can sometimes be the same as the listing agent in a dual agency situation. However, it is the listing agent who is directly hired by the seller in most cases.