Why do home owners choose the wrong agent most of the time?

Most homeowners choose the first agent they meet because of a toxic mix of convenience, emotion, and assumption.

Let’s break it down:

1. Decision Fatigue + Laziness

• Selling a home is overwhelming. When someone says, “I can help,” most homeowners grab on like it’s a life raft.

• Interviewing multiple agents takes time and effort. Most people would rather avoid the hassle.

2. False Sense of Obligation

• “They spent time with me, they gave me a CMA… I feel like I owe them.”

• Guilt-driven decisions are common—especially if it’s a friend, neighbor, or referral. It feels polite to hire them.

3. They Don’t Know What to Ask

• Most sellers don’t have a framework for evaluating agents. So whoever sounds confident and has decent materials gets the gig.

• No one wants to admit they don’t really understand the process—so they default to whoever sounds convincing.

4. Assumption of Sameness

• They assume all agents do the same thing, so the only difference must be personality. This is where “nice” beats “effective.”

• They don’t understand value until something goes wrong—or until they see what they could’ve saved or gained.

💸 5. The Illusion of Proximity

• “They’re local, they know the area.” So what? That doesn't mean they know how to price, market, or negotiate your biggest asset.

• Familiarity breeds false comfort.

Bottom Line:

Most sellers don’t choose the best agent, they choose the first one who makes them feel safe. That’s emotion, not strategy.
They’re sold before they even ask the right questions. And the traditional industry loves it that way.