Derrick Muska
How to Choose a Listing Agent in Los Angeles County (2026 Guide)
Written by Derrick Muska · Broker-Associate, Realtor® · 24 years experience · 100 transactions closed · Last Updated: July 2026
Knowing how to choose a listing agent in Los Angeles County is the single most important decision you’ll make before putting your home on the market. The right agent won’t just stick a sign in your yard — they’ll price your home strategically, prepare it for maximum buyer appeal, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and steer you through one of the most complex transactions of your life. I’m Derrick Muska, a Broker-Associate and Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Realty in Long Beach. Over 24 years and 100+ closed transactions across LA County, I’ve seen exactly what separates the agents who get top dollar for their clients from the ones who leave money on the table. This guide will tell you everything you need to know — including what to look for, what questions to ask, and which red flags to walk away from.
What does a listing agent do?
A listing agent represents the seller in a real estate transaction — full stop. My job starts long before the sign goes up and doesn’t end until the keys change hands. At the outset, I conduct a thorough Comparative Market Analysis to determine the right asking price — not the highest price that sounds flattering, but the price that generates the most competitive offers. I then advise on staging, repairs, and photography to make sure the home photographs and shows at its absolute best, because the first 72 hours on the MLS are the most important. Once the home is live, I market it through MLS syndication, targeted digital advertising, and my own professional network built over 24 years in Southern California. When offers come in, I analyze every term — not just the price — to identify which offer is genuinely strongest for my seller. Finally, I manage the escrow process, coordinate with the buyer’s agent, lenders, inspectors, and title companies, and handle every complication that arises so my clients don’t have to. That’s what a full-service listing agent does.
The home selling process, step by step
01
Initial consultation and goal-setting
We sit down — in person or virtually — and I learn your timeline, financial goals, and any concerns you have about the sale. This conversation shapes everything that follows, including pricing strategy and the level of preparation we put into the home before listing.
02
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
I pull recent sales of comparable homes within a tight radius of your property, adjusting for square footage, condition, lot size, and upgrades. In Long Beach and the surrounding LA County communities I serve, micro-market conditions can vary street by street, so a generic automated estimate is rarely accurate enough to rely on.
03
Pre-listing preparation
This is where I earn my commission before the home ever hits the MLS. I walk the property and identify the highest-ROI improvements — sometimes that’s fresh paint and landscaping, sometimes it’s a professional deep clean and declutter, sometimes it’s more substantive repairs. Getting this right in Long Beach’s competitive market can mean the difference between one offer and five.
04
Professional photography and marketing setup
I coordinate professional photography, and where appropriate, video walkthroughs and 3D virtual tours. Buyers in Los Angeles County are sophisticated and increasingly search from out of state or internationally — your listing has to compete on a screen before it competes in person.
05
Strategic pricing and MLS launch
We agree on a list price designed to attract maximum buyer attention in the first week. I time the MLS launch to hit on a Thursday or Friday in most cases, so buyers have the weekend to schedule showings and submit offers while momentum is high. In my experience across 24 years, the first weekend often determines whether you field multiple offers or sit on the market.
06
Showings, open houses, and offer review
I coordinate and track all showings, gather feedback, and keep you informed throughout. When offers arrive, I present each one in detail — purchase price, down payment, contingencies, proposed closing timeline, and any unusual terms — so you can make a fully informed decision. In competitive situations, I advise on counteroffers and multiple-offer strategy.
07
Negotiation and acceptance
Once we’re in escrow, negotiation doesn’t stop. Buyer inspections often produce requests for repairs or credits. I push back where the requests aren’t justified and counsel you on where reasonable concessions protect the deal without costing you more than necessary.
08
Escrow, inspections, and contingency removal
The escrow period in California typically runs 30 to 45 days. During this time, I coordinate with escrow, title, the lender, and the buyer’s agent to keep everything on track. If issues arise — and they usually do — I’ve seen enough transactions to know which problems are deal-killers and which ones just need a calm, experienced hand to resolve.
09
Final walkthrough and close of escrow
The buyer conducts a final walkthrough, we confirm all agreed repairs are complete, and we head into signing. Once documents are recorded with Los Angeles County, the sale is official. I’m available to my clients after closing too — questions don’t stop the day escrow closes. —
How to choose the right listing agent — the checklist
01
Local market experience.
An agent who knows Long Beach is not automatically an expert in Seal Beach or Cerritos. Ask how many homes they’ve sold in your specific neighborhood in the past 12 months. Local knowledge drives accurate pricing and better buyer targeting.
02
Years in the business.
Experience compounds. An agent with 24 years has navigated multiple market cycles — rising markets, correction periods, high-interest-rate environments — and knows how to adapt strategy to conditions rather than relying on a single playbook.
03
Total transaction volume.
Volume matters because it signals consistency. Anyone can sell a few homes in a hot market. Look for someone with a sustained track record across varied conditions.
04
Marketing approach.
Ask to see a sample marketing package. Professional photography, MLS syndication, and targeted digital advertising are non-negotiable in today’s Los Angeles County market. If an agent can’t show you concrete marketing materials, that’s a problem.
05
Communication style.
How often will they update you, and through what channel? My clients know they can reach me directly — not an assistant — because that’s how I’ve built my reputation over 24 years. You deserve the same access from any agent you hire.
06
Negotiation track record.
Ask for specific examples of offers negotiated. Did they secure $30K over asking in Seal Beach? Did they negotiate a $15K price reduction on the buy side? Real examples matter more than general claims. —
Questions to ask before hiring a listing agent
How many homes have you sold in this neighborhood in the past 12 months?
A good answer is specific and verifiable. Vague references to “a lot of experience in the area” aren’t good enough — you want numbers.
What is your average list-price-to-sale-price ratio?
This tells you whether an agent prices accurately or inflates to win listings and then chases the market with price reductions. An agent who consistently sells at or above list price is doing something right.
What is your average days on market?
Fewer days on market generally means better pricing strategy and stronger marketing. Ask them to compare their average to the local market average so you can put it in context.
What does your marketing package include?
You want to hear professional photography, MLS syndication, digital advertising, and ideally video or 3D tours. If the answer starts and ends with “we put it on Zillow,” keep looking.
How do you determine the list price?
A strong answer involves a detailed CMA with recent comparable sales, adjusted for your home’s specific features. An agent who leads with what you want to hear rather than what the data supports is not your friend.
Who will I be working with day-to-day?
Some agents hand clients off to a team member after the listing agreement is signed. Make sure you know upfront whether you’re hiring the agent you’re meeting or an assistant you haven’t met.
How do you handle multiple offers?
In competitive LA County submarkets, multiple offers happen. Ask how they structure the process — do they set an offer deadline, advise on escalation clauses, or run best-and-final rounds? Experience here is invaluable.
What happens if the home doesn't sell in the first 30 days?
A confident, experienced agent will have a clear answer: price adjustment strategy, increased marketing push, or a candid conversation about what’s holding buyers back. No plan at all is a red flag.
Can you provide references from recent sellers?
Any reputable agent should be able to point you to verifiable reviews — on Google, Zillow, or directly. I have 37+ five-star reviews from real clients across Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, and beyond.
What is your commission and what does it cover?
Understand exactly what services are included and what, if anything, costs extra. Transparency here is a sign of a straightforward agent. —
Red flags to watch for
01
They promise the highest price to win your listing.
This is called “buying the listing” and it’s one of the oldest tricks in the industry. An agent who tells you what you want to hear to get the agreement signed will recommend a price reduction a few weeks later when buyers don’t show up. Accurate pricing from the start is always better than chasing the market down.
02
They can't show you a real marketing plan.
A serious listing agent has a documented marketing approach. If they can’t hand you something concrete — photography standards, syndication platforms, advertising strategy — they’re winging it. That costs sellers real money in the form of a longer time on market and weaker offers.
03
They're hard to reach during the interview.
If an agent is slow to respond, cancels your consultation, or delegates your initial meeting to an assistant, that behavior will only get worse once you’re under contract. Communication is the foundation of a good agent-client relationship.
04
They have no local sales history.
An agent who works across all of Southern California but can’t point to specific sold properties in your zip code is at a disadvantage when pricing and marketing your home. Local knowledge is not optional in a market as nuanced as Los Angeles County.
05
They pressure you to sign immediately.
Good agents don’t rush you into a listing agreement. If someone is pushing hard for your signature before you’ve had time to think, ask yourself why they need your business that badly. —
Areas I serve in Los Angeles County
I work across the southern end of Los Angeles County, helping sellers and buyers navigate some of the most active real estate markets in Southern California. Whether you’re selling a starter home or a luxury property, I bring the same 24-year depth of experience to every transaction.
What clients say
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a listing agent to sell my home in Los Angeles County?
Technically, no — California law allows you to sell your home without an agent. In practice, most For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers in Los Angeles County leave significant money on the table because they lack access to the MLS, professional marketing resources, and experienced negotiation skills. Studies consistently show that agent-represented sellers net higher sale prices on average, often more than offsetting the commission cost. If your home is in a competitive market like Long Beach or Seal Beach, the right listing agent pays for themselves many times over.
What is the difference between a listing agent and a Realtor®?
A listing agent is any licensed real estate professional who represents sellers. A Realtor® is a licensed agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors® and has agreed to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics — a set of professional standards that go beyond the minimum requirements of California real estate law. As a Realtor® and Broker-Associate, I am bound by that Code of Ethics in every transaction, which means my clients can hold me to a higher standard of honesty, transparency, and fiduciary care. Not every agent you meet is a Realtor®, and that distinction matters.
What should I look for in a listing agent?
The most important factors are local market knowledge, a verifiable track record of closed sales, a documented marketing approach, and communication habits you can actually live with during a 30-to-45-day escrow. Experience counts for a lot — an agent who has sold homes through multiple market cycles knows how to adapt strategy when conditions shift, which is something a newer agent simply hasn’t had the chance to develop. I’d also strongly encourage sellers to read verified reviews from past clients before signing any listing agreement.
What are the signs of a good listing agent?
A good listing agent prices your home based on data, not on what you want to hear. They have a professional marketing package ready to show you before you sign anything, they respond promptly and personally, and they can point to specific recent sales — not just general experience claims — in your market. When I listed Sarah Chen’s home in Seal Beach, it sold in 8 days for $30K over asking because the pricing and marketing were right from day one. That kind of outcome comes from preparation, not luck.
How do I know if a listing agent is right for my specific home?
Ask them to walk your property before the listing presentation and come back with specific observations about condition, buyer appeal, and pricing rationale. A great agent notices the things that will matter to buyers — layout issues, deferred maintenance, curb appeal gaps — and addresses them before the home goes live. If an agent walks through your home in ten minutes, gives you a high price, and asks you to sign, they haven’t done the work. I spend real time on every property before I recommend a strategy because every home and every seller situation is different.
How long does it take to sell a home in Los Angeles County?
Timeline varies considerably depending on price point, condition, neighborhood, and current buyer demand. In active submarkets like Long Beach, well-priced homes in strong condition can attract offers within the first week. Homes that are overpriced or under-marketed tend to sit longer, and extended time on market creates a stigma that leads buyers to submit lower offers. The goal of a strong listing strategy is to generate maximum activity in the first seven to fourteen days, when buyer interest is highest and urgency is strongest.
What questions should I ask a listing agent at the first meeting?
Ask about their specific sales history in your neighborhood over the past 12 months, their list-price-to-sale-price ratio, what their marketing package includes (and what it costs), how you’ll communicate throughout the transaction, and who specifically will be handling your file day to day. You should also ask for references and take the time to actually check them. The questions that reveal the most are the ones that require specific, verifiable answers — any agent can make general claims, but the details separate the serious professionals from everyone else.
How much does a listing agent charge in Los Angeles County?
Commission structures vary and have evolved since the NAR settlement changes that took effect in 2024. In California, commissions are always negotiable — there is no fixed rate set by law or by any association. What matters is understanding exactly what services are included for the fee you’re paying, because a lower commission that comes with less marketing, less experience, or less hands-on service can cost you far more in final sale price than the commission savings. When you interview me, I’ll be completely transparent about my fee and what it covers — that’s the only way I know how to do business.
Ready to work with Derrick Muska?
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, or anywhere else in Los Angeles County, I’d like to be the listing agent you call first. Over 24 years, I’ve built this business on honest advice, sharp marketing, and real results — not promises I can’t back up. Knowing how to choose a listing agent in Los Angeles County starts with having a straightforward conversation, and I’m ready to have it with you. Call me directly at (562) 714-7676.