Motivation for Recommended Vendors

Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions.

Motivation for Recommended Vendors

Dear Phyllis,

I am going to be listing my home for sale soon. The Realtor I interviewed suggested making some minor repairs to my home. She had a lot of recommendations for the front yard and pushed her preferred gardener. The way she pushed him made me uneasy. Also, she has a painter and a handyman she prefers. I liked that she wants to help prepare my home for sale. However, I felt that she might have some motivation for nearly insisting on my using her vendors. It almost felt like she had a financial incentive. You have been a Realtor for many years and I wanted your input on her motivation for her recommended vendors.

Concerned

Dear Concerned,

Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate your thoughtful question and completely understand your hesitation. First, I do think it’s a positive sign that the Realtor you interviewed wants to help prepare your home for sale. It shows she’s invested in helping you achieve the best possible outcome. Strategic repairs and improvements often result in a higher price and a faster sale.
It’s natural to wonder if there could be financial motivation. While I can’t speak to her specific intentions, I can share that many experienced agents do have a network of trusted professionals they rely on—not because they receive compensation, but because they know the quality of work, responsiveness, and reliability those vendors provide. That consistency helps ensure a smoother process for everyone involved.

When it comes to the gardener, it’s worth considering that if your current gardener hasn’t been maintaining the yard to listing-ready standards, it may not make sense to entrust them with the front yard improvements.

Many agents, myself included, prefer to use a landscaper they trust and who can also maintain the work throughout the listing period. It’s less about financial gain and more about peace of mind. I’d recommend getting at least one additional bid for comparison for the painter and handyman. That way, you’ll feel confident that you’re making informed decisions based on both quality and cost.

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