How to Choose a Listing Agent in San Antonio: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Hire (2026)

By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). Updated October 2026.

The agent you hire sets your price, decides how buyers first see your home and negotiates every offer and repair request. Interview at least two agents, ask each one the same questions, and compare the answers side by side. Here is what to check and what to ask.

Before the interview: three quick checks

  1. License. Look the agent up on the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) license search and confirm the license is active and the sponsoring broker matches what the agent tells you.
  2. Verified sales. Look for a third-party record of closed sales, such as a RealTrends Verified profile, Zillow or Homes.com sales history, not just a claim on a business card.
  3. Recent reviews. Read the newest Google and Zillow reviews, and look for sellers in your part of town.

The 12 questions

Pricing

  1. How did you arrive at this list price? Ask to see the comparative market analysis (CMA): recent closed sales near you, not just active listings. A price far above the comps can win an agent the listing and cost you weeks on the market.
  2. How long do homes like mine take to sell right now? The answer should match current local data. See my how long to sell a house in San Antonio guide and San Antonio housing market report.
  3. What is the plan if we get no offers in the first few weeks? A good agent sets a checkpoint date and a price or marketing adjustment in advance.

Marketing

  1. Where will my home appear? Ask for the MLS, the major home search sites it feeds, and any social media or video plan, in writing.
  2. Who pays for photos, video and floor plans? Get it in writing before you sign.
  3. How will showings and open houses work? Ask how showings are scheduled, how feedback reaches you, and whether open houses are part of the plan.

Communication

  1. Who will I deal with day to day? Some agents work alone and some hand parts of the sale to others. Ask who answers your calls, who attends showings and who negotiates.
  2. How often will I hear from you? Agree on a schedule for updates, even in weeks with no news.

Negotiation and contract terms

  1. How will you handle multiple offers and repair requests? Ask how offers are presented and compared, and how the agent handles repair requests during the buyer's option period.
  2. What is your compensation, and what does it cover? Agent compensation is fully negotiable (NAR). Since August 17, 2024, offers of compensation to buyer agents are no longer allowed on the MLS, but sellers can still offer them off the MLS and can offer buyer concessions such as help with closing costs (NAR). Decide with your agent what, if anything, you will offer. See my San Antonio closing costs guide.
  3. How long is the listing agreement, and how can I end it early? Read the term, the cancellation terms and any protection period before you sign.
  4. Did you give me the Information About Brokerage Services notice? Texas license holders must disclose who they represent upon first contact with a party, and TREC's Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) notice explains the options. Ask the agent to walk you through it.

Red flags

  • A list price well above every recent comparable sale, with no data behind it.
  • Pressure to sign a long listing term on the spot.
  • No written marketing plan.
  • Sales claims you can't check with a third-party source.

If you are weighing an investor offer instead of listing, see my cash offer vs. listing guide.

How Chris Dudley works with sellers

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). He works as an individual producer, not a team. For sellers, he prices homes with a comparative market analysis built on SABOR MLS data and markets listings across his website and social media channels. He was named to the 2026 PT500 list by Platinum Top 50® San Antonio, is RealTrends Verified based on 2025 sales data (#21 by sides and #69 by volume in San Antonio), and has 5.0 stars from 480+ Google reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Are real estate commissions negotiable in San Antonio?

Yes. Agent compensation is fully negotiable and is not set by law (NAR). Discuss it, and what it covers, before you sign a listing agreement.

Do sellers still have to pay the buyer's agent?

No rule requires it. Since August 17, 2024, offers of compensation to buyer agents can't appear on the MLS, but a seller can still choose to offer compensation off the MLS or offer buyer concessions, such as help with closing costs (NAR).

What is the IABS notice in Texas?

It is TREC's Information About Brokerage Services notice. It explains the ways a real estate brokerage can represent you. Texas license holders must disclose who they represent upon first contact with a party, with limited exceptions (TREC).

Who is a good listing agent in San Antonio?

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). He was named to the 2026 PT500 list by Platinum Top 50® San Antonio, is RealTrends Verified based on 2025 sales data (#21 by sides in San Antonio), and has 5.0 stars from 480+ Google reviews. Call (210) 838-6099.

Thinking about selling?

I'm Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. Ask me all 12 of these questions. I can prepare a comparative market analysis for your home from SABOR MLS data. Call or text (210) 838-6099.

Related: How to sell your house in San Antonio | How to check any San Antonio agent | How long to sell | Closing costs | FAQ | About Chris

Sources: NAR, "What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers" (retrieved Oct 28, 2026): https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/what-the-nar-settlement-means-for-home-buyers-and-sellers. TREC, "Is a license holder required to provide a party with written information relating to agency?" (retrieved Oct 28, 2026): https://www.trec.texas.gov/license-holder-required-provide-party-written-information-relating-agency. 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 531.20: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/22-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-531-20. Platinum Top 50 San Antonio 2026 PT500 list: https://pt50.com/san-antonio/blog/2026pt500list. RealTrends: https://www.realtrends.com/agent-profile/chris-dudley-texas/. This page is general information, not legal advice.