How to choose a real estate agent: 7 Top tips for choosing a real estate agent

Of all the steps in the journey to selling your home, selecting an agent is easily the most important. Your agent’s advice will help to guide you through what can otherwise be a daunting process.

There is no such thing as the right agent.

There is, however, such a thing as the right agent for you.

Here are our top tips to select the right agent for you:

We recommend you begin to approach agents 3-6 months before you plan on selling. This will give you plenty of time to develop a relationship with them and see them in action at auctions and inspections for other properties.

Get recommendations

Since your agent is your partner in selling your home, getting recommendations from family, friends or someone else you trust is a very good place to start.

Ask them about how they found the agent, if they had any trouble and what their experience was like overall. This should help you figure out whether their agent is worth contacting or not. The best agents work through referrals. Genuinely positive testimonials from someone you trust will help you understand your agent’s relationship with their clients. 

If you don’t have any referrals, then start by approaching agents with experience and a great track record. Online reviews are a great place. Look for agents who work in your local area. When searching for agents, start the search in your suburb. When it comes to real estate, local knowledge wins. At the end of the day this is the person who will fight for you and defend your asking price, so local experience counts.

Ask the right questions

By asking your potential agent the right questions, you can figure out whether they are someone you would feel comfortable working with. Try to identify whether they possess the skills and resources to achieve your goals. Here are some questions that you can ask. Their answers should cover the below.

Visit an open house

A great way to see how your real estate agent operates is by actually visiting an open house that they set up. You can see how they interact with prospective buyers and how they follow up. You can even visit on short notice to understand the level of attention that prospective buyers get. 

Understand their fees and contracts 

Be clear on the real estate agent’s commission structure, any additional fees, and the terms of the contract. Compare these details across different agents and ensure there are no hidden fees. Make sure you’re comfortable with their terms before signing any agreement.

The level of transparency and communication an agent shows when discussing fees and contracts is indicative of how they’ll operate with you and your buyer. It’s a good benchmark of how to choose a real estate agent. 

Judge their communication skills

Choose an agent who is easy to communicate with and responsive. They should listen to you, provide clear updates, and be proactive in addressing your concerns. Good communication is key to a successful partnership with an agent.

Make sure they align with your goals and values

Choosing a real estate agent to sell your house means working with someone for a few weeks at best, and a few months at most. Think about the kind of person you would like to work with. How important is trust, knowledge, professionalism and communication to you?

It is important for you to trust and get along with your real estate agent. The sale of your property should be at the center of your conversations and your proposal. Look for an agent who understands your goals and values, and acts in your best interest. 

Shop around

With a decision as big as this, it’s worth comparing a couple of agents to get a sense of what different people offer and what means the most to you. Meeting them face-to-face is the best option. Take the time to interview several agents in your area. Look for someone with a good track record in selling properties similar to yours.

Be wary of any agent that promises the highest price – particularly if it’s significantly different from what others are saying. Make sure they can back their estimate with solid facts about what else has sold recently in the market.

If you're looking to buy property in Canberra, sell your property or need a property manager, contact the team at Independent Property Group.