What Are the Most Common Lies That Real Estate Agents Tell Home Sellers?
How to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Listing Agent in Greater Rochester NY
A real estate agent openly writing about the lies some agents tell home sellers? It might sound strange, but if you’re thinking about selling your home in the Greater Rochester NY area, you deserve the truth about how this really works.
The reality is that there are agents who will say almost anything to get a listing: inflate your home’s value, mislead you about their experience, or promise marketing strategies they never actually deliver. If you’ve already hired an agent and you’re starting to feel like something doesn’t add up, you may be seeing one of the clearest signs you hired the wrong Realtor.
The good news? Once you know the most common lies real estate agents tell home sellers, it’s much easier to protect yourself, ask better questions, and hire a professional who actually earns your trust (and their commission).
In this guide, we’ll walk through the top 10 lies that some agents tell, why they’re so dangerous, and what smart sellers in Greater Rochester NY can do instead.
Chapters – Top Lies Real Estate Agents Tell Home Sellers
- Why Some Agents Lie to Home Sellers
- Lie #1 – “Your Home Is Worth Way More Than That”
- Lie #2 – “Commissions Are Fixed and Can’t Be Negotiated”
- Lie #3 – Exaggerating Their Sales & Production
- Lie #4 – Pretending to Have More Experience Than They Do
- Lie #5 – Claiming Fake “Specialties” (Waterfront, Luxury, etc.)
- Lie #6 – “I’m the Only Agent Using the Internet to Sell Homes”
- Lie #7 – Misleading You About Social Media Marketing
- Lie #8 – Stretching the Truth About Their Website Traffic
- Lie #9 – “We’ll Sell Your Home at the Open House”
- Lie #10 – “I Already Have a Buyer for Your Home”
- How to Choose an Honest Listing Agent in Rochester NY
- Final Thoughts: Trust, Transparency & Results
- About the Author & Rochester’s Real Estate Blog
Why Some Real Estate Agents Lie to Home Sellers
Most agents are hardworking professionals who truly want to help their clients. Unfortunately, there are also agents who:
- Overpromise to win listings at any cost
- Inflate numbers to make themselves look more successful than they are
- Rely on gimmicks instead of honest, proven strategies
When you’re selling one of your biggest assets, you can’t afford to work with someone who isn’t being straight with you. The goal of this article is not to bash the industry, but to give you tools to spot red flags early and hire a listing agent who actually backs up what they say.
If you’re still in the early stages of preparing to sell, you may also want to read: How to Sell a Home – Top Real Estate Resources for Home Sellers .
Lie #1 – “Your Home Is Worth Way More Than That”
Pricing is one of the biggest factors that determines whether your home sells quickly, slowly, or not at all. In today’s data-driven world, buyers can see recent sales, price reductions, and days on market with a few clicks.
Some agents will tell you your home is worth significantly more than the rest of the market suggests just to “buy the listing.” They know that once they have the sign in your yard, they can push for price reductions later or pick up buyers from the listing even if your home never sells.
That’s not a pricing strategy – it’s a disservice.
How to protect yourself:
- Ask every agent for a detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) with recent sold comps.
- Be skeptical if one agent’s suggested list price is much higher than everyone else’s.
- Ask, “What data supports this price, and what happens if the appraiser disagrees?”
A great listing agent will tell you the truth about your value, even when it’s not what you were hoping to hear, and then show you how to position your home to beat the competition. For a deeper look at how true market value is determined, you can also review my guide on how to determine the market value of a home .
Lie #2 – “Commissions Are Fixed and Can’t Be Negotiated”
Another common lie is that “this is the standard commission and it’s not negotiable.” In reality, brokerage fees are always negotiable. There is no government or MLS rule that sets a fixed rate.
Sometimes, agents fall back on this line because they haven’t clearly explained their value or they’re worried they’ll lose the listing if you realize you have options.
What you should do instead:
- Ask each agent to explain exactly what is included in their fee (marketing, photography, staging help, negotiation, etc.).
- Compare the services and results, not just the percentage.
- Remember that hiring the cheapest agent can cost you far more than you “save” in commission if they underprice your home or mishandle negotiations.
The right question isn’t “Who charges the least?” It’s “Who is most likely to put the most money in my pocket at the end of the day?”
Lie #3 – Exaggerating Their Sales & Production
Some sellers put a lot of weight on how many homes an agent has sold – and for good reason. Experience matters. Unfortunately, that leads some agents to inflate or misrepresent their production.
Red flags to watch for:
- Very big numbers with no way to verify (“I sold 150 homes last year” with no proof).
- Vague answers when you ask for specifics about their recent listings.
- Claims that don’t match what you see on their website or marketing.
How to verify:
- Ask for a printout of their past 12–24 months of listings and sales in your area.
- Request a couple of recent seller references you can contact directly.
- If needed, call their broker or check local MLS statistics (through another professional).
A trustworthy agent will be proud to show you their track record – and won’t be offended when you ask.
Lie #4 – Pretending to Have More Experience Than They Do
Every great agent was new once. There is nothing wrong with being newer to the business – unless the agent pretends to be a seasoned pro when they’re not.
Some agents will round up their experience (“I’ve been doing this for years”) when they’ve really been licensed for only a few months. Others will lean heavily on their team’s or brokerage’s experience as if it were their own.
Questions to ask:
- “How long have you personally been licensed?”
- “How many homes have you personally listed and sold in the past 12 months?”
- “If something unusual comes up, who will be guiding the strategy and negotiations?”
You don’t need someone who’s been in the business forever – you need someone who is honest about their experience and has the support, systems, and knowledge to get your home sold.
Lie #5 – Claiming Fake “Specialties” (Waterfront, Luxury, Condos & More)
You’ve probably seen slogans like “Waterfront Specialist,” “Condo King,” or “Luxury Home Expert.” Some agents truly do specialize in specific property types. Others simply use catchy titles even if they’ve had very few – or zero – sales in that niche.
Common “specialties” that can be exaggerated include:
- Luxury homes
- Waterfront or lakefront homes
- Condos and townhomes
- Golf course properties or equestrian properties
What to ask before you believe a specialty claim:
- “How many [property type] listings have you sold in the last few years?”
- “Can you show me 3–5 recent examples that are similar to my home?”
- “What is different about how you market and price these homes?”
A genuine specialist will have a clear track record to back up their claim – not just a slogan on a business card.
Lie #6 – “I’m the Only Agent Using the Internet to Sell Homes”
In today’s world, almost every home buyer starts their search online. So when an agent says, “I’m the only one using the internet to sell homes,” that’s simply not true.
The real question isn’t whether an agent uses the internet – it’s how well they use it. There’s a big difference between passively syndicating listings to the MLS and actively leveraging:
- High-quality photography and video
- Strong listing descriptions and SEO
- A well-trafficked local real estate blog and website
- Email marketing to an engaged buyer database
Ask your agent:
- “Where will my home appear online?”
- “Do you have your own website with local buyers searching on it?”
- “Can you show me examples of how you marketed recent listings online?”
If the agent can’t clearly explain their online strategy, it’s a red flag.
Lie #7 – Misleading You About Social Media Marketing
Social media can be a powerful tool for selling homes – when it’s used correctly. But simply dumping every new listing onto Facebook with “Check out my hot new listing!” isn’t a strategy.
Some agents tell sellers, “I’ll sell your home because I’ll post it on social media,” as if that alone guarantees results. Others claim they’re the only agent in the area using social media at all, which is rarely true.
Look for:
- An active presence that includes helpful local content, not just endless self-promotion
- Evidence of engagement: comments, shares, and conversations with real people
- Clear examples of how your listing will be featured and boosted, not just casually mentioned
Social media works best when it’s part of a bigger marketing system – not when it’s treated as a buzzword to impress sellers.
Lie #8 – Stretching the Truth About Their Website Traffic
A strong real estate website can be a tremendous asset for sellers, especially one with local SEO and a large pool of buyers actively searching for homes. But some agents:
- Claim they’re the “only agent in town with a website”
- Boast about tens of thousands of visitors with no data to back it up
- Have a site that looks nice but gets very little local buyer traffic
Smart questions to ask:
- “Do you get Rochester-area buyers searching on your site regularly?”
- “How will my listing be featured on your website or blog?”
- “Can you show me a couple of current listings and how they appear online?”
What matters isn’t just having a website – it’s having a website that local buyers actually use and that showcases your home at its best.
Lie #9 – “We’ll Sell Your Home at the Open House”
Open houses can be useful in certain situations, but they’re often overhyped. Some agents will tell you, “We’ll sell your home at the open house,” even though the percentage of homes that actually sell directly from an open is very low.
The truth is that open houses are often more effective for generating new buyer leads for the agent than for actually selling your specific property.
If you’re considering open houses, ask:
- “What percentage of your recent listings sold because of an open house?”
- “How will you follow up with visitors after the open?”
- “What are the PROs and CONs of open houses for my specific property and neighborhood?”
There’s nothing wrong with doing open houses – as long as you understand their real purpose and aren’t misled into thinking they’re the magic bullet.
Lie #10 – “I Already Have a Buyer for Your Home”
This one is a classic. An agent says, “I already have a buyer for your home – just list with me and I’ll bring them through.” Sometimes it’s true. Often, it’s just a tactic to get you to sign a listing agreement quickly.
Here’s the reality:
- If they genuinely have a ready, willing, and able buyer, that buyer can still see your home after it’s listed.
- You don’t need to choose an agent based solely on a vague promise of “a buyer.”
- The goal is to expose your home to the entire market and generate the strongest price and terms – not just one quick offer that may or may not be your best option.
If an agent says they have a buyer, that’s fine – but choose your listing agent based on their overall strategy, integrity, and track record, not on a single line.
How to Choose an Honest Listing Agent in Greater Rochester NY
The best way to protect yourself from these lies is to have a clear process for interviewing and hiring a listing agent. Instead of going with the first person you meet – or the one who tells you the highest price – take the time to compare.
Smart steps include:
- Interviewing at least 2–3 agents before deciding.
- Asking each agent for:
- A detailed CMA with recent comparable sales
- A written marketing plan for your specific property
- Examples of recent listings they successfully sold
- Checking online reviews and testimonials from past sellers.
- Trusting your instincts about communication style and honesty.
For a deeper dive on how to prepare to sell and what to expect from your agent, you may also want to read: Top Home Selling Mistakes in Rochester NY (and How to Avoid Them) and how to interview a Realtor when selling your home .
Final Thoughts: Trust, Transparency & Results
As you’ve seen, there are several common lies and half-truths that some real estate agents tell home sellers. Most of them are designed to win the listing, not to put you in the strongest position to sell for the best price and terms.
Selling your home is a major financial decision. You deserve a listing agent who is honest about pricing, transparent about their experience, and clear about their marketing plan – not someone who relies on gimmicks and exaggerations.
If you’re thinking about selling your home in the Greater Rochester NY area and want straightforward advice, accurate pricing, and a proven marketing strategy (without the fluff), I’d be happy to talk through your goals and options.
Curious what your home could realistically sell for in today’s market – without the smoke and mirrors? Reach out and we’ll schedule a no-pressure consultation and detailed market analysis tailored to your property.
About the Author & Rochester’s Real Estate Blog
The above article, “Top 10 Lies That Real Estate Agents Tell Home Sellers”, was written by Kyle Hiscock, a top Webster NY Realtor with Hiscock Homes at REMAX Realty Group.
Since being launched in 2013, I’ve published more than 150 in-depth, unique real estate articles on the Rochester Real Estate Blog, covering everything from home selling and buying to mortgages, inspections, and local market updates. In addition to real estate content, you’ll also find many helpful articles about the Greater Rochester NY area and the communities we serve.
The Rochester Real Estate Blog has been recognized by many reputable websites as one of the best real estate blogs to visit and follow. I’ve also been recognized as one of the top Realtors on social media by multiple organizations and websites.
Rochester’s Real Estate Blog is owned and operated by Hiscock Homes at REMAX Realty Group — your trusted real estate professionals since 1987. If you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.
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