Wwant to find a great real estate agent? Ask around.

Word of mouth is one of the best ways of finding a good agent. Ask friends and family to refer an agent they would recommend.

What about if you haven’t got a referral?

It’s time to get on the phone. Ring up at least three real estate agents in your area and ask about their knowledge and experience, as well find out a little about their personality. Think of it as a job interview. It’s a BIG financial commitment, so make sure it’s with the right agency.  Find real estate agents in your local area, here.

Invite those agents who “pass” the interview process to individually inspect your property and provide an appraisal of your home. The appraisal should include an estimate of the sale price of your home, based on previous sales of similar properties in your suburb.

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Some agents try to win business by charging low fees to sell your home. But before you sign on the dotted line, consider the implications this might have on the sale of your property.

Will low commission fees mean the agent aims for a quick sale at a low price so they don’t have to spend much time on selling your property?

While the commission rate is an important factor in determining which agent to use, you should consider all the benefits an agent can help you with.

Before you make your choice, confirm your realtor is a member of a professional organisation, such as the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, or your state’s equivalent. You can find out more about their professional qualifications in our article.

Take time to choose your property agent and you will build a long-standing, fruitful relationship.