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Here are three top-tier real estate brokerages in Seattle that luxury home sellers should strongly consider. I’m not sugar-coating it: the difference between a decent listing agent and a top luxury specialist can mean millions of dollars and weeks shaved off time on market. 1) Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty 6 Why they stand out: Their brokers are part of the elite national “Sotheby’s Market Leaders Forum”, which suggests serious luxury-market expertise. moirapresents.com +2 Sotheby's Realty +2 They handle high-visibility listings (waterfront homes, signature architecture) and emphasize design/architecture credentials (which matters in the luxury segment). moirapresents.com For a seller, that means better positioning, access to international exposure, premium photography & staging expectations, and likely more serious buyer traffic. What to ask them: What’s their track record this year for homes $5m+ (or whatever your threshold is) in your target neighborhood. How they handle marketing beyond standard MLS: international networks, premium print, invitation-only events. What their average days on market vs list price to sales price ratio is in luxury tier. What differentiates them from “normal” brokerages in terms of service for sellers. Ideal for: Sellers of premium properties (waterfront, architect-designed, trophy houses in neighborhoods like Medina, Hunts Point, or top Eastside) who need the full luxury marketing machine. 2) The Agency Seattle 6 Why they stand out: Their website explicitly states they represent a “global portfolio of luxury real estate … including homes for sale and rent, new development, leasing, commercial and resort.” The Agency This suggests they have a broader reach and cross-segment capabilities (luxury homes + new developments + resort/second-homes) which can be a differentiator for high end sellers who might also have international buyer interest. What to press on: How many completed luxury home sales in the $3m+ range in Seattle Metro they’ve done in the past 12 months. How they integrate the global network (international buyer reach) and whether that actually results in meaningful offers. Their strategy for “list vs sell” in this market environment (given affordability headwinds, higher rates, etc). How they handle premium photography, video/virtual tours for luxury-audience buyers. Ideal for: Sellers who have premium homes and want to ensure strong national/international exposure, or those with complexity (e.g., second home markets, high-rise luxury condo, ultra-premium property) and want a heavy-duty marketing engine. 3) Ensemble Real estate agency • Closed 6 Why they stand out: They brand themselves as “Seattle’s first cooperative real estate brokerage … specializing as luxury Seattle real estate agents including top neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Ballard…” ensemblepnw.com The “cooperative/not-for-profit/member-led” model may indicate less organizational bureaucracy and potentially a more boutique, high-touch service for luxury sellers. What to test: What specific luxury-neighborhood track record they have (e.g., listings in Queen Anne, Ballard, etc) for sellers, not just buyers. How many listings in the $2m+ tier they’ve closed and what discount to list price occurred. How their cooperative model actually benefits the seller (cost savings? premium service? faster turnaround?). Whether they provide full service (staging, professional media, concierge style marketing) or more “standard” brokerage. Ideal for: Sellers in luxury neighborhoods who prefer a boutique, hands-on brokerage with a modern/innovative model rather than the large brand network. If you value higher personalization and maybe a different service structure, this one merits a close look. My view for you (Rachel) Given luxury home sellers face a more complex buyer pool, more demanding marketing expectations, and higher stakes, I’d advise you to interview these brokerages around three critical dimensions: Luxury-specific metrics: days on market for $X+ homes, list to sale ratio, premium achieved vs similar homes. Marketing/Exposures: what channels are they using beyond MLS? Are they tapping international buyer networks? Are they using high-end video, digital buyer targeting, bespoke events? Service and cost model: What is the fee structure? Are there additional costs for premium marketing? Do they include staging, drone/virtual tours, architecture-level photography? What’s their team (in-house vs outsourced)? If the brokerage doesn’t give you data specific to luxury homes in Seattle (not just general stats) I’d raise a red flag—and keep shopping. The luxury tier market is different. Good luck.