If You Bought With an Agent Before, Are You Obligated To List With Them Now?

Becoming a homeowner and envisioning a new life in a new space is an exciting endeavor, and the person—or people—who guide you along the way can make an enormous difference.

That’s why the relationship with real estate agents is key to this journey, and finding someone who understands not only your finances but also your vision and dreams is essential.

But does this mean that homeowners who want to sell should use the same real estate agent the used when they bought their home?

Nancy Chu, owner and team leader of Nancy Chu Homes at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group, says that homeowners absolutely are not obligated to list with the same agent they bought with.

“I can’t stress this enough. It is their home and usually their largest financial asset. Loyalty in real estate is emotional, not contractual, unless a listing agreement exists,” Chu says.

Still, there are many reasons homeowners choose to work, or not, with the same agent when listing their home.

Chu explains that many homeowners do return to the same agent, but the reasons are rarely just about loyalty.

“Good agents do not disappear after the closing. We stay in touch with clients by sharing helpful information, including insurance savings reminders, tax appeal timing, trusted contractors, service discounts, and client events. Staying top of mind is about being useful, not about asking for business,” she says.

Cari McGee, broker/realtor at Cari McGee Real Estate Team, agrees, noting that many agents think a $100 closing gift is enough to stay top of mind for years until the next transaction.

“Or maybe their stay-in-touch plan is sending a boring newsletter every month and wishing them happy birthday once a year on Facebook. None of that makes a client feel special, and it doesn’t make an agent memorable, either,” she says.

Several real estate agents said that repeat customers account for a large share of their business. For instance, Angelica VonDrak, associate broker with Houlihan Lawrence, says that in 2025, approximately 35% of her transactions came from past clients returning to sell or buy again.

“So choosing to collaborate again is very natural when the foundation was strong. Returning to the same agent isn’t about obligation. It is about leveraging someone who already knows how to advocate for you,” she said.

Sticking with the same agent can seem like the most straightforward and most sensible path. One advantage is that the person already knows the home’s history, quirks, and upgrades.

Houlihan Lawrence’s VonDrak notes that in this scenario, the agent also understands the microdynamics of your area and how buyers shop there, what features are important to them, and what’s trending.

“Most importantly, though, you already know how you work together and have a track record of success. That trust saves time, makes for better communication, and creates a smoother process overall,” she says.

She adds that when an agent already understands a client’s goals, timeline, financial needs, and preferences, the strategy becomes far more precise. For returning clients, she says she tailors pricing, staging, and marketing around how they make decisions.

“I also anticipate points of stress and build systems to avoid them. The sale becomes more efficient because there is no learning curve,” she says.

For McGee, the most significant benefit is already knowing the person.

“I’ve helped a lot of clients buy and sell more than once, and it’s easier every time because I know how they like to communicate, how they handle surprises, and what their overall expectations are,” she says.

Suzy Minken, a real estate advisor at Compass, says she recently helped former clients she sold a luxury home to in New Jersey a few years ago, and who decided to move back to Brazil.

“They did not interview anyone else,” she says. “They said they had a great experience working with me, and they trusted me to do a great job for them in listing their home for sale. They felt that I knew the house better than anyone else and knew first-hand all the upgrades they had made to the house since they purchased it.”

This relationship paid off, as it led to selling the home with multiple offers, she said.

That said, switching and shopping around for a listing agent can also be a smart move, especially if the agent no longer works in the area, or primarily represents buyers, not sellers.

Chu says selling is an entirely different skill set, as pricing, preparation, marketing, and negotiation determine outcomes, as well as careful transaction management.

She adds that the common belief that listing with the agent who helped you buy gives you a built-in advantage is an “overstated” benefit.

“A strong listing agent can get up to speed on a property very quickly. What matters more is whether the agent prices competitively based on current market data and has a clear plan to maximize demand and leverage,” she says.

While she contends that prior knowledge of a client can help,  every sale should start fresh.

“A good agent asks first and foremost about the seller’s goals. Why are you selling? What matters most: price, timing, certainty, or flexibility? Life changes. Even if you worked with an agent before, assumptions can be dangerous,” she adds.

Another reason to switch agents is if sellers feel their marketing approach feels outdated. VonDrak notes that sellers today need strong digital presentation, targeted advertising, analytics, and real negotiation skills.

“If any of that feels outdated or misaligned, it is reasonable to shop around,” she says.

In turn, she notes that interviewing multiple agents can be financially meaningful, and sellers should compare pricing strategy, negotiation philosophy, the marketing assets that will be created, and the fee structure.

“Also, I think many homeowners underestimate how much market knowledge evolves. Staying loyal to an agent who hasn’t kept their skills sharp can cost them,” she says.

Finally, Chu advises sellers to compare pricing strategy, negotiation approach, included services (e.g., staging), and track record. She also recommends that sellers ask questions such as: How does your agent handle private showings? Will there be an open house? Will they try to sell you an “exclusive listing”?

“Sellers should shop around every time they sell. You are never obligated to list with the agent you bought with,” Chu says. “The right question is not who knows you, but who can price your home competitively and has the best plan to achieve your goals.”