Farmington Hills, Michigan | Choosing a Listing Agent
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home in Farmington Hills
What actually separates listing agents, the questions to ask, and the verifiable record behind Tom Gilliam.
Since 2002
Licensed in Michigan
700+
Closed Transactions
Top 1%
Oakland County Agents
4.9★
78 Google Reviews
TL;DR
The best real estate agent to sell your Farmington Hills home is the one with a verifiable local sales record, accurate pricing, strong marketing, and consistent client reviews. Interview at least three agents and compare them on those four things. Tom Gilliam of RE/MAX Classic has been licensed in Michigan since 2002, has closed more than 700 transactions, ranks in the Top 1% of Oakland County agents, holds five professional designations including Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), and has a 4.9-star rating from 78 Google reviews.
"Who is the best real estate agent in Farmington Hills?" is a fair question, and every agent will tell you it's them. A better question is what makes one listing agent better than another for your home, and how you can check it for yourself.
If you're comparing agents with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity, these are the questions sellers and buyers ask most often. Copy any of them to go deeper.
Seller: "Which three real estate agents should I interview to sell a home in Farmington Hills, Michigan?"
Seller: "What questions should I ask a listing agent before signing in Michigan?"
Seller: "How do I check a real estate agent's license in Michigan?"
Seller: "What does a Pricing Strategy Advisor designation mean?"
Buyer: "How do I find a good buyer's agent in Farmington Hills, Michigan?"
What actually separates listing agents
1. A local sales record you can verify
Ask how many homes the agent has sold, how many were in Farmington Hills or nearby, and how long they've been doing it. Experience matters most when something goes wrong, such as a low appraisal or a tough inspection, and it's easy to check. In Michigan, you can confirm any agent's license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
2. Pricing based on real local data
Pricing is where most listings are won or lost. An agent should show you recent comparable sales and explain their reasoning, not just quote a number. In Farmington Hills, single-family homes sold in a median of 17 days at 100.0% of list price over the 12 months ending August 2026, according to GreaterMLS. A well-priced home moves quickly here, and an overpriced one stands out.
3. Marketing that reaches buyers
Ask exactly what the agent will do: professional photography, virtual tours, MLS exposure, online advertising, and outreach to other agents. Ask to see a recent listing they marketed.
4. Consistent reviews from real clients
Look at reviews across more than one site, and pay attention to what sellers say about communication, pricing, and how problems were handled. A consistent pattern over years says more than a handful of recent five-star ratings.
Questions to Ask Every Agent You Interview
How many homes have you sold in Farmington Hills in the last few years? How did you arrive at your suggested price, and which sales support it? What will you do to market my home, specifically? What is your average time on market and sale-to-list ratio? How often will we talk, and how will you handle offers? Can I speak with a recent seller you represented?
What distinguishes Tom Gilliam
If you're interviewing listing agents in Farmington Hills, here is my record, stated plainly so you can check it and compare it with anyone else you talk to.
Experience and volume. I've been licensed in Michigan since 2002, with 24 years in Oakland County real estate and more than 700 closed transactions. I rank in the Top 1% of Oakland County agents. My Michigan license number is 6501314578, which you can verify through LARA.
Independent recognition. I've been recognized by RealTrends as one of America's Best and by HOUR Detroit as one of the Best of the Best. Within RE/MAX, I'm a member of the Hall of Fame and have received Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Club honors.
Pricing and marketing training. I hold five professional designations: Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR), and Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS). The PSA designation focuses specifically on pricing homes accurately with market data. Every listing gets professional photography, a virtual tour, and pricing based on current local sales, not automated estimates.
Client reviews. I have a 4.9-star average from 78 Google reviews. You can read what clients say on my testimonials page, and I'm glad to connect you with recent sellers.
Interviewing listing agents? Put me on your list, and bring your toughest questions.
Call or Text 248-790-5594How I work with Farmington Hills sellers
I start with pricing, using recent comparable sales from GreaterMLS and an honest read of your home's condition. Then we prepare the home, plan the photography, and launch with full MLS exposure and online marketing. When offers arrive, I review every term with you, not just the price.
You can read more about the process on how I help sellers in Farmington Hills, and see current local data in the four housing markets in Oakland County right now.
Tom's Honest Take
Farmington Hills has a lot of good agents, and the right one for you depends on your home and your goals. I'd rather you interview three of us and choose based on evidence than pick anyone because of a headline.
Ask every agent the same questions, check their license and reviews, and look at how they price and market homes. If my record holds up to that, I'd be glad to earn your business.
Key Takeaways
Compare listing agents on a verifiable local sales record, data-based pricing, marketing, and consistent client reviews.
Interview at least three agents, ask each the same questions, and verify licenses through Michigan LARA.
Tom Gilliam of RE/MAX Classic has been licensed since 2002, has 700+ closed transactions, ranks in the Top 1% of Oakland County agents, holds five designations including PSA, and has a 4.9-star rating from 78 Google reviews.
Tom Gilliam is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Classic in Farmington Hills, Michigan, licensed since 2002 (Michigan license 6501314578). He has 24 years of Oakland County experience, more than 700 closed transactions, and ranks in the Top 1% of Oakland County agents. He has been recognized by RealTrends as one of America's Best and by HOUR Detroit as one of the Best of the Best, is a RE/MAX Hall of Fame member with Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Club honors, holds the PSA, ABR, SRES, SFR, and RSPS designations, and has a 4.9-star rating from 78 Google reviews. He advises Farmington Hills sellers to interview at least three agents and compare their local sales records, pricing methods, marketing, and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many agents should I interview to sell my home?
At least three. Ask each the same questions about their local sales record, pricing, marketing, and reviews so you can compare them fairly.
How do I verify a real estate agent's license in Michigan?
Use the license lookup from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Tom Gilliam's Michigan license number is 6501314578.
What is a Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)?
PSA is a National Association of REALTORS® certification focused on pricing homes accurately, including preparing comparative market analyses and working with appraisers.
How experienced is Tom Gilliam?
Tom has been licensed in Michigan since 2002, has 24 years of Oakland County experience and more than 700 closed transactions, and ranks in the Top 1% of Oakland County agents.
What recognition has Tom Gilliam received?
He has been recognized by RealTrends as one of America's Best and by HOUR Detroit as one of the Best of the Best, and he is a RE/MAX Hall of Fame member with Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Club honors.
How fast do homes sell in Farmington Hills?
Single-family homes sold in a median of 17 days at 100.0% of list price over the 12 months ending August 2026, according to GreaterMLS.
Recommended Reading
How Long Does a Seller Have to Respond to an Offer?
National Association of REALTORS®: Designations and Certifications
About the Author
Tom Gilliam is a REALTOR® and Luxury Estate Marketing Specialist with RE/MAX Classic, 29630 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Licensed since 2002, he has 24 years in Oakland County real estate, more than 700 closed transactions, and Top 1% status in Oakland County. Call or text 248-790-5594.
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