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June 16, 2025June 17, 2025

Real Estate Teams vs Solo Agent Myths

5 Myths About Real Estate Teams vs Solo Agent, What Sellers Should Know

The Team Hype vs Solo Hustle

In today’s real estate market, teams are everywhere, shiny logos, coordinated suits, and promises of “round-the-clock service.” But are they truly better than working with a skilled solo agent?

Spoiler: Not always.

Let’s break down five major myths about real estate teams and why you might be better served by a solo agent who knows how to deliver results, without the handoffs and bureaucracy.

Myth #1: A Team Gives You More Attention

Teams love to say, “Someone’s always available.” But who is that someone?

Often, it’s not the person you met or trusted with your listing, it’s whoever’s free at the moment. A common complaint is that although you can reach someone when it’s urgent, the person on the other end of the phone only takes a message, a live “voice mail.” This leads to disjointed communication, lost context, and a lack of true accountability.

The Solo Agent Advantage: One point of contact. One consistent voice. Complete accountability from start to finish.

Myth #2: Teams Are More Experienced Than Solo Agents

Don’t let the roster fool you. Many teams are built around a lead agent with experience. However, the majority of your interaction may be with newer inexperienced agents learning the ropes.

Solo Agent Reality: A true solo pro has already built their experience. You’re not part of someone’s training ground. You’re getting top-tier guidance from someone who has mastered the game.

Myth #3: Teams Sell Homes Faster and for More Money

There’s no verifiable data proving that teams outperform solo agents in sales price or speed.

What sells a home quickly and for top dollar? Smart pricing, strategic marketing, and strong negotiation.

Solo Agent Reality: A solo agent often outperforms teams by being more agile, personalized, and fiercely protective of their reputation.

Myth #4: Teams Have Better Marketing

Teams talk about “in-house” photographers and content managers, but those roles are often outsourced, which is common for all real estate agents.

Solo Agent Reality: An effective solo agent knows which pros to hire and when. They curate your marketing strategy with personal attention, not a preset checklist.

Myth #5: You’ll Save Money with a Team

Contrary to what you might hear, teams can come with higher costs, because you’re funding a whole operation. And more people involved can mean more dropped balls.

Solo Agent Reality: Solo agents know every dollar matters. And because they take on fewer clients at once, they’re focused on delivering full-value service, not juggling a pipeline.

Bottom Line: Don’t Choose Branding. Choose Performance.

The truth about teams vs solo agent? There are great teams out there. And there are great solo agents. But don’t assume the size of the operation equates to the quality of service.

What matters most is this:

Is your agent personally invested in your outcome? Do they return your calls, fight for your bottom line, and treat your property like their name is on the sign?

If the answer is yes, that’s the agent you want. Whether they wear all the hats or lead a crew of five.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2025

Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

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September 5, 2023September 5, 2023

Home sale gimmicks?

Over the past fifteen or so years I’ve written a few articles about home sale gimmicks. And not surprisingly, it’s another year with a new real estate gimmick. In the past I’ve explained and debunked the effects on a home sale of various ploys such as under-pricing, creating buzz, throwing the block party open house, etc, etc, etc. And yet it just doesn’t seem to end. Instead of being honest and straight forward with a solid common-sense strategy, some real estate agents are just good at devising ploys to entice unsuspecting home sellers to list with them.

This year’s shiny item is a nationwide “auction” site that is marketed to sell a home fast for more money. It is used in tandem with the MLS. This is how it works…

The home is listed as usual in the MLS with descriptions, photos and all the accoutrements. The home is simultaneously listed on the “auction” site. The MLS listing has the “list price.” Buyers and agents are redirected to the “auction” site for price and terms that are acceptable to the home seller. This gimmick strategy is sold as encouraging multiple offers on the home. Agents make their offers on the site. The seller chooses an offer and goes under contract.

This sounds like the old tried and true MLS home sale listing with extra steps!

I get it though. The old tried and true home sales model is boring. Post the listing in the MLS with your price and terms. Post terrific photos. Maybe even add a floorplan and a video. Possibly have an open house. And this year (2023), with the average days on market being seven, select one of the multiple offers you’ve received and ratify the contract.

Do gimmicks get your attention? Do you utter some oohs and aahs? But does it really make sense?

In my experience, most home sellers want to sell their home quick and for top dollar. Research into some home sale gimmicks have concluded that it could actually harm your sale by either getting a lower net price, longer time on market, or worse – a lower net price and a long time on market!

For a solid result, stick with the tried-and-true home sale experience. Don’t rely on gimmicks that promise activity on your listing, higher sale prices, etc. Work with an experienced licensed real estate agent who can present a comprehensive and coherent home sale marketing plan.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2023

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December 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Selling to a real estate investor

Needless to say, real estate investing has become popular again. Selling to a real estate investor was even embraced by tech companies that are called “iBuyers.” To get your attention, real estate investors post road signs, send direct mail, and inundate social media with a promise of getting cash for your home. But real estate investors are not all the same, and their intentions are not always fair: which begs the question “Should you sell your home directly to a real estate investor?”

Selling to a real estate investor

When most people think of a real estate investor, they think of someone who will renovate and resale the home. This is commonly called “flipping.” However, another type of flipping has become popular, where the investor, also known as a “wholesaler,” flips their purchase contract to another buyer (usually at a huge profit for them). Also, there are investors who buy and then keep the property to rent.

What’s the catch?

The typical lure from the real estate investor is a quick sale. Although many can close quickly, others not so much. The reality is that real estate investors offer the quick sale in lieu of a huge reduction in their sale price. After all, they never promised you top dollar. The truth remains that real estate investors pay a fraction of what you can likely sell your home on the MLS (and the irony is that the MLS buyer is likely to be to an investor).

What about the promise of cash? Although investors offer cash for your home, you won’t literally be getting cash at settlement. Rather, just like any real estate transaction, you’ll either get a check from the title company or a wire to your bank.

Many real estate investors tout “no Realtor fees.” Sounds good, right? Not so fast. Many real estate investors charge premiums and/or miscellaneous fees. Some make you pay their closing costs. In truth, your unexpected fees can exceed the average agent commission.

Real estate investors also promise “no contingencies.” However, many investors use a “study period” in lieu of specific contingencies for various reasons, including obtaining the funds to close. Wholesalers use the study period to find a “buyer” (usually another investor) for their contract (you may not have assurance that the assigned buyer has the ability to complete the purchase).

Due diligence

Before you sell directly to the real estate investor, consider your goals with the pros and cons. Due diligence on your part will help you obtain your goals. Don’t be afraid to approach a local real estate agent to understand the value of your home. Compare an investor sale to the MLS sale (which is typically getting your money a few weeks sooner for a fraction of the value). You should consult with an attorney to review the purchase contract to ensure you understand what you’re signing.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022

Home Selling during the Holidays

Home sales have been in a slump for several months. But the lackluster volume of homes being sold isn’t what most people are making of it. Of course, rising interest rates have curtailed some home buyers’ plans, but the historically low supply of homes for sale continues to drive the market. If you’re home selling during the holidays, consider that supply will continue to dwindle as many homes will be removed from market.

What does that mean if you’re a motivated home seller? Although the housing market normally slows down during the holiday season, it’s not entirely closed. Motivated home buyers are always looking for the perfect home. And with limited home seller competition, you could potentially do well with your sale. The only obstacle to your sale would be severe winter weather.

Things to consider when selling a home during the holiday season:

If you’re selling your primary residence, consider how and when your home will be available for home buyer visits. Be proactive with your communication to your listing agent so there is no confusion about showing times. The idiom “strike while the iron is hot” holds true. If you make your home available to show, stick to the schedule. Buyers will get frustrated and turned off when their scheduled appointment is canceled at the last minute.

If you’re selling a vacant home, it will be easy to show. However, you should plan to visit the home regularly for cleaning and maintenance. Maintenance is especially important during the colder winter weather.

If your home is already on the market, maintaining a show quality home is still a must. However, if your home will be listed for sale during the holiday season, you have to take care in preparing your home for buyer visits during colder weather. Decluttering, repairs, and staging are the main staples of home preparation.

If you ask real estate agents about holiday decorations, you’ll get a variety of advice. Keep in mind how home buyers will see your home. If you decorate your home, keep it tasteful and uncluttered.

Keep in mind that selling a home means having strangers traipsing through your home. Plan ahead with a showing schedule if you’re having holiday celebrations and hosting family and other guests in your home.

Home Selling during the Holidays is not for everyone. If the holiday season is a hectic, then adding the stress of selling your home is probably not a good idea. Consult with your real estate agent about home selling during the holidays and if it is an appropriate choice for you.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022

Home selling 2023

Memory is flawed and I believe that people forgot what the housing market was like prior to 2020. People were told that the housing market of 2019 was in a new normal, and, yes, signs were pointing to a balanced market. Then 2020 shocked the housing market, and everyone took a short break during the health crisis. After a short market shock, home buyers came back in droves and further stressed the already limited home sale inventory. And for almost two years, a crazy and sometimes irrational sellers’ market was the “new normal.” What will be the new normal for home selling 2023?

Besides quick home sales, home sellers have also become accustomed to double-digit home sale price growth. However, steep interest rate increases have seemingly cooled home buyer motivation. Home sales dropped to their lowest levels in a decade. The question that everyone seems to be trying to answer is how will the current conditions play out.

Supply and demand. The one aspect, in retrospect, that has driven the housing market since 2013 is home sale inventory. Home sale inventory never completely bounced back to equilibrium levels since then, and sparked the several sellers’ market mini-cycles in the past decade.

Chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, agrees, saying in a recent NAR new release “For most parts of the country, home prices are holding steady since available inventory is extremely low. Some places are experiencing price gains, while some places, most notably in California, are seeing prices pull back.”

Yun commented that the sharp mortgage rate spike since January has definitely impacted the volume of home sales this year. However, talking about home sale inventory, he stated, “Housing inventory is about a quarter of what it was in 2008,” Yun said. “Distressed property sales are almost non-existent, at just 2%, and nowhere near the 30% mark seen during the housing crash. Short sales are almost impossible because of the significant price appreciation of the last two years.”

Yun anticipates home sales to continue to decline about 7 percent in 2023, however, national median home prices will modestly increase in the range of 1 percent.

Home selling 2023: If you’re planning a home sale in next year, make certain you have a reasonable home sale strategy. Make certain you prepare you home by decluttering and making necessary repairs. Pay close attention to neighborhood home sale trends. And don’t overprice your home when choosing a list price.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022