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 thing as the right agent for you.

Think about the kind of person you would like to work with. How important is trust, knowledge, professionalism and communication to 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.

If you don’t have any referrals to go off than start by approaching agents with experience and a great track record. At the end of the day this is the person who will fight for you and defend your asking price, so 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 and whether they possess the skills and resources to achieve your goals. Their answers should cover the below.

What are your strengths in the following areas?

• Marketing
• Registered buyers
• Local knowledge

How will you help me achieve the best price?

• Negotiation skills
• Proven performance
• Staging and property presentation
• Finding buyers

Can I talk to you whenever I need to?

• Communication plan
• Questions
• Concerns
• Advice

What can I do to improve the outcome?

• Presentation
• Access
• Responsiveness to feedback

How do you guarantee high standards and what will you do if things don’t go as promised?

• Accountability
• Planning
• Transparency

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.

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.