A polished presentation tells you an agent is polished at presenting. Useful, but I'd also like to know what happens when an inspection report arrives on a Friday afternoon.

Ask about strategy

Which recent sales support your proposed price? Who is the likely buyer for this home? What three things would you change before photography? How will you handle an offer that is high but risky?

Ask about execution

Who supervises preparation? Which vendors will be involved? What is the showing plan? Who handles transaction details? How often will I receive updates and in what format?

Ask about money and accountability

What services are included? How is compensation negotiated? Who pays for staging and repairs? What is the listing agreement term? How will you assess performance after the first two weeks?

Listen for specifics

You want clear evidence, trade-offs, and a plan tailored to the property, not only enthusiasm.

What this means for you

Every San Mateo property has its own competition, condition, and financial considerations. The right decision comes from evaluating real numbers and your priorities, not assuming that one headline works for everyone.

I’m Olivia McNally. For more than 13 years, I’ve helped Bay Area clients navigate important real estate decisions with thoughtful, candid guidance. What would you most like to understand about your San Mateo property or next move? Let's talk through the options.

The Question I Wish Every Seller Would Ask

'How did you arrive at your recommended listing price, and what evidence supports it?' A seller deserves to see the comparable sales, active competition, property's strengths and weaknesses, and the difference between anticipated market value and strategic list price. Also ask who coordinates improvements, manages vendors, oversees staging, monitors feedback, and personally negotiates. I would rather lose a listing by being candid than win it with promises the market cannot support.

Olivia's Peninsula-Level Perspective

Ask what sales support the proposed list price, how it relates to anticipated market value, and what happens if the launch receives little response. Also ask who manages contractors, staging, offers and escrow. Generic assurances are not an execution plan.

The answer I most want sellers to hear

I'd rather explain why a seller's expected price is unsupported than accept a listing on a number I can't defend. Ask for actual comps, condition adjustments, active competition and the marketing plan. The article on choosing a listing agent expands on how to evaluate those answers.

What I'd want you to understand before deciding

I would ask how the agent adjusts for a smaller lot, a superior kitchen renovation, unusable added space, or a challenging street location. A credible answer should explain the comparables and acknowledge uncertainty. Ask for a sample weekly update, the process for reviewing buyer feedback and an example of a difficult negotiation the agent handled. A thoughtful agent will welcome those questions. An agent who treats them as a threat is giving you useful information too.