Choosing the right agent involves more than comparing commission rates, since the agent you select will shape how your property is marketed, negotiated and ultimately sold. Start by researching agents who have recently sold properties similar to yours in your specific area, as local knowledge and a relevant track record matter considerably.
Ask each agent you interview about their recent sales results, including average days on market and how close achieved prices came to the original asking figure. Be wary of an agent who simply suggests the highest price without clear comparable sales evidence to support it, since this can sometimes be a tactic to win your listing rather than a realistic assessment.
Consider how each agent communicates and how comfortable you feel with their approach, since you will be working closely with them throughout the campaign, including receiving regular feedback and discussing any necessary adjustments to strategy. A good working relationship makes a genuinely stressful process considerably easier.
Review the marketing plan each agent proposes in detail, including photography, online advertising, signboards and any additional promotion, and understand exactly what is included in their fee versus what is charged separately. A clear, itemised proposal avoids confusion once the campaign is underway.
Trust your instincts about an agent's honesty and transparency, particularly around pricing expectations and the realistic likely outcome for your property. The right agent should give you confidence through clear evidence and a sound strategy, not simply through confident promises about the price they can achieve.
Happy to talk it through — no pressure, no sales pitch.