SELECTING THE RIGHT AGENT

 

When deciding on the most appropriate agent to sell or lease your property there are a number of factors that should be taken into account, such as the agent's experience, negotiating skills, follow-up, local knowledge and enthusiasm. It’s important to assess their capability and previous results. Viewing written references and speaking to former clients will provide a valuable insight into the agent's professionalism.

 

People selling or renting out their home invariably gravitate to the agent whose appraisal of their property is the highest. Though it’s encouraging that the agent appears to see maximum value in your home, don't confuse over-confidence on price with honesty. Overstating a property’s value merely to secure a listing is a dangerous path and will often result in your property languishing on the market unsold or without tenants. Accurate and informed market pricing from the outset is the key to getting buyers or tenants through the door, securing a premium price and ensuring a fast sale or rental.

 

When selling, your chosen agent should also be able to justify their suggested method of sale (auction or private treaty) on the basis of results and market research. It’s a good idea to attend a few auctions conducted by the agent to assess their performance, see how they run a campaign, check out the quality of their auctioneer and see how many buyers they attract.

 

With respect to fees, don’t be lured in by the agent who offers the lowest rate of commission. The fee should be seen in the context of several issues including whether an agent is likely to achieve the appraised sales or rental value, their level of competence, the quality of their marketing and their calibre of service. An agent who has to lower their commission to secure business is often an agent who doesn’t back themselves and isn’t able to achieve the best results.

 

Finally, one of the most vital factors to consider is whether you like and feel comfortable with the agent – after all, they’ll be running your campaign for several weeks or looking after your property long term. Assess their commitment, energy and desire to be hands on.