Finding the best agent to sell your property

Integrity and transparency are the heart of what we do here at AZ Property. We believe excellent communication, good local knowledge and strong sales results are also reasons why clients return to us time and again to sell their properties.

Check out this article on what else to look for when choosing an agent!

Choosing the right agent is a make or break decision when selling a home. Pick the right one and you’re half-way to being sold, but make the wrong call and it could cost you, literally.

All the property experts agree sellers should look for an agent with a history of strong, recent results in your suburb. Things like the average days on market and auction clearance rates give a clear, fact-based insight into how good an agent is, without any of the marketing spin. A good agent should know as much about the area as possible, from what buyers in the area are looking for to what the historical trends are, which method of sale works and even down to things like which is the better of the suburb’s two primary schools.

What to ask your potential agent

Ask lots and lots of questions of potential agents to understand if they’re the right one, like the following.

·      Does the agency have its own auctioneer or does it use an external auctioneer?

·      Is the agent part of a network of offices or a single office? Is it a franchise?

·      Are other agents who work at the company incentivised to introduce buyers?

·      Who will be involved at my open for inspections? Will there be one or two agents?

·      What experience do you have selling similar properties in the area?

·      How much are you fees and marketing?

Ask them to take you through case studies of property sales. Ask them why they use certain approaches and what they think will work best for your property and why. If they’re suggesting an auction, ask why.

What does an agent actually do?

While it’s self-evident what a real estate agent does, selling isn’t just about arranging a few opens, fielding offers or running auctions.

Nowadays, agents do much more, including:

·       Running the sales process from start to finish

·       Arranging photography, floorplan and copywriting

·       Working with sellers to set a price or reserve

·       Marketing the home

·       Running open for inspections and private appointments

·       Discussing the positives and potential concerns of the home with buyers

·       Helping buyers emotionally connect

·       Conducting an auction if required

·       Facilitating settlement and key handover

Credit: Realestate.com.au - Erin Delahunty, Property Journalist