Top Tips on How to Choose Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House & Property

One of the most important considerations when deciding to sell your property is who is going to sell it for you. Whether you’re upsizing due to a growing family, downsizing your living space or investment portfolio, or have recently experienced a change in family circumstances, making the choice to sell your home can be one of the biggest decisions you make. Therefore, you need an agent that you trust and feel comfortable to support you through the process, to get you the best possible result.

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a real estate agent, as well as a few things you can do to help narrow down the best options for you.

Here are our top tips to help you choose the right real estate agent:

Research is key

As with everything in real estate, doing your research is key. Finding a real estate agent with a history of strong results in your suburb provides a great starting point. Looking into an agent’s auctions clearance rates and average days on market can provide you a valuable insight into what you can expect from working with that agent and the results they achieve. Looking at things like how many listings they currently have, their previous sales records, and how and where they market both properties and their agency can also help.

In addition to the above, researching an agent’s ratings and reviews online can also provide insight into their personal brand and reputation. There is an array of platforms available for past clients to leave comments about their experience working with an agent, such as Google Reviews, RateMyAgent and realestate.com.au. Often, listening to recommendations from family and friends based on personal experience can be a reliable form of research.

Have a local focus

Although it can be tempting to hire an agent based off the stellar experience your best friend’s sister had selling her rural property just over the border, when it comes to selling a property, it is best to choose an agent that is familiar with your area and experienced in the type of property you’re selling.

A good real estate agent should know just as much about a property and its locality as the homeowner. This will show they’re invested in the local area and have a good understanding of the marketplace when valuing your home.

A real estate agent that knows your suburb and surrounding area well will bring an extra level of energy to the sale of your home and will be able to sell the lifestyle of a property, as well as the home, to perspective purchases.

Knowing and understanding the details of a home and its location, such as local schools and parks, coffee shops and bus routes, are important to those looking to buy.

Check them out in action

A quick and easy way to research your shortlisted agents is to see them in action. Attending some of their open homes or auctions will give you a clear insight into how they like to operate.

During the process of deciding what open homes you’d like to attend, pay close attention to where you saw the property advertised and how it was marketed. This will help you when the time comes to discussing a marketing strategy for your home with the agent.

Once you’ve decided on some open for inspections or auctions you are going to attend, make sure that you arrive early, chat to the agent as a perspective buyer of the property, as well as watch how they interact with other buyers, and take note of the following things:

Did the agent arrive on time to open the property or were they rushing to get everything set up at the last minute?
Are they professionally presented, did they welcome you into the open home and collect your contact details?
How was the property presented, had the agent done a walk through to ensure lights were on and surfaces were tidy?
Is their approach and communication style one you feel you connect with?
How did they behave at the open, did they approach buyers and actively point out the features of the home?
Could they confidently answer questions about the property and the area?
Did they contact you in the days following the open home to see if they could answer any other questions and get your feedback on the home?

It’s your property and your decision

The most important thing to remember when hiring a real estate agent is that you need to feel comfortable in your decision. The process of selling a home can be an emotional one and you therefore need someone that you feel you trust and can have honest conversations with.

It is important you find a real estate agent that best represents you as the seller and the style of your property.

In conclusion, choosing the right agency to sell your property is a crucial decision that can impact the success of your transaction. A good real estate agent should possess a deep understanding of the local market, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record of success. By doing your research and taking the time to find an agent who meets the criteria, you can ensure that you have the support and guidance you need to sell your property quickly and efficiently.

If you're considering selling your property in the ACT, Queanbeyan, or South Coast region, Blackshaw may be the right agency for you. With 8 offices located throughout the region, we have a comprehensive understanding of the local market and can provide you with the personalised attention you need to achieve your real estate goals. We also pride ourselves in excellent client service, a testament to the high ratings our agents have acquired on agent review platforms, showcasing their ability to deliver exceptional service to their clients. By choosing Blackshaw, you can feel confident that you have a trustworthy and experienced partner to guide you through the process of selling your property.

To take the first step towards selling your property with the help of Blackshaw, we invite you to schedule a consultation session with one of our experienced agents. During this session, you can discuss your unique needs and goals which will provide you with insights into the local market and the best strategies for selling your property. Contact us here to make an inquiry.