Selecting An Agent

Take these simple steps to select the best real estate agent to sell your property.

Step 1

Select three agents who sell in the area around your property and invite them to conduct a market appraisal.

If you know someone either personally or by reputation make sure they are on the list. The rating tools below give you some of the questions you should ask and research you will need to do before making your selection.

Step 2

Revisit this page and fill in each agents score.

Each factor has been carefully weighted in order of importance and the score will be highly indicative as to the agents chances of success. Rate each of your agents on a scale of 0 to 5 with 0 being non-existent, 1 being poor and 5 being excellent.

Step 3

Choose your Agent!

Use this software to help guide your thinking but remember that gut-feel and intuition plays an important part in choosing the person you are going to have a lot to do with over the next few months.

Enter Agency Details Agent 1 Agent 2 Agent 3
Representative
Company
Professionalism of representative
Rate: standard of verbal communication
Rate: standard of written communication
 
Reputation and track record of representative
Question: Can you provide me with written references from sales made recently?
Research: read written references. Find out from neighbours and friends what they thought of the representatives reputation.
Rate: reputation for honesty and integrity
Question: What properties have you sold in this area?
Rate: recent track record of sales in the area
 
Reputation and track record of agency
Research: find out from neighbours and friends what they thought of the reputation of the agency including the agency principal and the other sales representatives from the company.
Rate: Reputation for honesty and integrity of agency
Question: what properties has your agency sold in the area?
Rate: Recent track record of sales in the area for the agency?
 
Current performance profile of representative
Question: How many properties do you currently have for sale in this area?
Rate: Number of properties listed in the area
Research: check how many properties the representative advertised in your suburb over the last month.
Question: How many properties have you advertised in the past month?
Rate: Number of current property advertisments by agency
 
Ability to follow up and keep vendor informed
Question: How frequently do you report to your vendor on marketing activities and how is this done?
Rate: Sends weekly written report on marketing activities
Rate: Call the owner after each buyers inspection
 
Knowledge of representative
Question: Aside from your company's sales, which properties that have sold in this area recently have you inspected internally?
Rate: Has first hand knowledge of properties sold in the local area
Research: listen to what the sales representative says about your area. Does the representative mention council plans, zoning changes, developments and new infrastructure projects?
Question: What do you see as the biggest draw card for people living in this area? What initiative or development do you see will have the biggest impact on property values in the area?
Rate: Has first hand knowledge of local facilities, amenities and plans
 
Sales ability
Research: Observe how the representative listens to your questions. Do they understand what is being asked before answering the question? Do they seek clarification before answering a question they do not understand?
Rate: Demonstrates excellent listening skills
Research: Observe how the representative presents their case for your listing. Are they positive and enthusiastic about your property? Do they become defensive when asked a question? Do they use first hand accounts to build their case?
Rate: Presents verbal arguments in an assertive, positive manner
 
Office located in the area
Research: How far away from your property is the agent's office?
Rate: Office located in the area.
 
Internet Presence
Research: Visit each agents' website. How easy is the site to navigate? Is there a good selection of properties available? Is the site easy to navigate? Are there plenty of ways to contact the agent such as email, SMS and mobile?
Rate: Quality of agency website
Question: On what major websites will our property advertisment appear?
Rate: Number of sites on which properties are displayed
 
Property Marketing
Research: Check the publications in which properties in your suburb are advertised. Read the advertisments for each of the chosen agents. How descriptive are they? Do their ads stand out? Do they tell a story or simply state facts?
Question: How often will my property be advertised? How often will the property be opened? Where will these advertisments appear?
Rate: Quality and frequency of press advertisments
Research: Check out the agents window display, signs and property brochures
Rate: Quality of signage, brochures and window display
 
Fees and marketing charges
Question: How much commission will you charge to sell my property? How much marketing will you charge?
Rate: Level of commission charged compared to other agents
Rate: Level of advertising charged compared to other agents
 


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