Top 3 Strategies to Win Listings in 2025 (What Sellers Actually Want)

Let’s be honest — just because inventory is up doesn’t mean listings are falling into your lap. In 2025, sellers are more selective than ever. They don’t want someone who just has a license… they want someone who knows how to market, communicate, and get results.

That’s why in this post, I’m sharing 3 listing strategies that sellers are actually looking for this year — plus one bonus tactic that will help you stand out before you even walk in the door.

I’ve coached thousands of agents, and I can confidently say: listings don’t go to the flashiest agent — they go to the one who delivers confidence, clarity, and communication.

Let’s break it down.

1. Be the Local Expert (Not a National News Echo)

Here’s the truth: sellers don’t care what the national market is doing — they care about their street, their neighborhood, and their timing.

Want to impress a seller? Show up with:

• RPR or InfoSparks data (or whatever local MLS tools you have)

• Charts that clearly show what homes are doing nearby

• A confident answer to: “Should I sell now, and what will I get?”

🧠 Pro Tip: Use visuals. 67% of people are visual learners. A chart speaks louder than a paragraph. AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini can help you build talking points in your voice so you sound like the expert you already are.

2. Build Trust Before You Even Meet

Here’s a stat worth tattooing on your brain:

🧾 81% of sellers only interview ONE agent.

That means your first impression has to happen before the first handshake. Trust isn’t earned at the listing appointment — it’s built through your:

• Online reviews

• Quick responses to messages

• Video content and communication style

Enter the Trust Triangle:
✔️ Authenticity
✔️ Competency
✔️ Empathy

Be real. Be smart. And listen. One of the most powerful trust-builders? Silence. Ask questions like, “What’s your biggest concern about moving?” — and then just pause. Let them talk.

3. Show Your System, Not Just Your Sign

The sign in the yard is nice. But what sellers really want is to know: “Do you have a plan to sell my home?”

So, show them:

• A visual of your process from listing day to closing day

• A personalized strategy (videos, photos, open houses, online exposure)

• Testimonials that show how your process works

New to the business? Leverage your office’s proven systems and make them your own. Clarity = confidence.

🎥 Bonus Strategy: Use Video to Win Before You Walk In

Here’s the fastest trust-builder in your toolbox: video.

Drop a quick message like:

“Hey, looking forward to our meeting! Can’t wait to hear about your plans.”

Or create local market update videos and post them consistently. Remember, sellers are watching — even if they haven’t called you yet.

📥 Ready to Level Up Your Listings?

👉 Grab my free Realtor Toolkit — packed with resources to help you:

• Win more listings

• Communicate with confidence

• Simplify your systems

You don’t have to guess your way through 2025 — you just need the right tools, the right message, and a little help showing sellers you’re the one.

Let’s go win that next listing.

—
✍️ Justin Letheby, The Professor of Real Estate
Because knowledge matters.