Tips, tricks & scriptsfor talking to the listing agent

We're not affiliated with Homes.com and this isn't an ad, but we love them for their transparency. They connect you to the listing agent directly.

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Look for the agent's own contact info on the listing. The big “Request a tour” and “Contact agent” buttons send your info to agents paying Zillow for buyer leads, not the listing agent. Selling leads is how Zillow makes money. We're not knocking it, just explaining it.

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Redfin is a search site and a brokerage. Request a tour or start an offer there, and you're usually connected with a Redfin agent, not the listing agent. The real listing agent's name and number are further down, in the listing details.

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First, confirm you've got the right agent. If they say yes, you're the listing agent, you're off to the races.

They may ask for a photo of your ID plus a pre-approval or proof of funds. It helps the agent protect their own safety and their seller's. Don't get weird about it! If you can afford to buy the house, show them.

Try to find a time that works for both of you. This is all very new to the industry, and many listing agents aren't used to showing their own listings yet. An agent may be wary of you. Please don't take offense. You're building trust from a blank slate, and they have lives too.

Some agents don't love working with unrepresented buyers. That doesn't make them bad people. It's just new. Be patient.

The good (and bad) news: if the agent isn't responding to you, they'd probably be slow with a buyer's agent too. Call the agent's broker or office and let them know you can't reach the agent. Don't be a jerk. Maybe their info is wrong online, maybe they're on vacation, maybe there was a death in the family.

The broker should be able to help. If they aren't, that's not a great sign. Some MLS-only listings are genuinely hard to reach. If you really want one of those, a traditional agent might have better luck, though they often hit the same wall.

You don't need a suit, but leave the pajama pants at home. They may ask you to remove your shoes or wear booties. In stilettos? Bring heel protectors or be ready to take them off. No one wants to come home to a Swiss-cheese floor.

The listing agent works for the seller, and they weigh everything when they advise on offers. If one buyer seems indifferent and another is clearly excited, they'll have more faith in the one who wants it.

After that last answer, you're just about ready to put your offer together.

It happens, and usually not because you're a buyer instead of an agent. Sometimes people are just short on time, or rude. Keep going.

Tough love: you don't know that they are. Our brokers have been humbled enough times that we rarely ignore a multiple-offer declaration. Do you want the house? Are you willing to risk losing it? If they say they have an offer in hand, it's safest to believe them. This goes for new construction too.

You already have leverage because you don't need buyer-agent compensation. Sometimes you can just ask the agent directly.

Commission is between the listing agent and their seller, and it shouldn't drive your offer terms. Some unrepresented buyers have more room to ask for seller concessions (closing costs, credits, or price), but results vary by listing and market. Ask your lender what credits your loan allows.

A letter from a local lender, tailored to the property address, always helps. It shows you're working with someone responsive.

A home is worth what you're willing to pay, not what you can technically afford. Multiple offers? Show your full buying power so the agent is confident you'll close. The only buyer on a home that's been sitting? Ask your lender to match the letter to your offer price. Lenders do this all the time.

Great position to be in. It comes down to your privacy comfort. For a quick showing, a screenshot of the account you'll use works. With more time, have your banker or financial advisor write a letter saying you have funds available above the price.