After deciding to sell your house, choosing the right real estate agent to trust with your sale is probably the next biggest decision you’ll have to make.

And there are a few of us to choose from in the Newcastle area!

We believe a real estate agent is representing both you and your property, and we believe there is more to choosing a real estate agent than giving you the highest appraisal or lowest commission. A good agent will tell you what factors have been considered when giving you an appraisal and will also give you some extra tips that may increase your property value.

You want to be sure your agent will work in your interests and get the best price for your property, so while asking details about the estimated sales price and how much the fees are, are essential questions, you should ask a few more to give you peace of mind to ensure you’re trusting your sale to the right pair of hands:

Here are a few more questions we suggest you ask:

1. What is your experience in real estate?

You want to employ someone who not only has the experience, but also still has the passion, drive and enthusiasm for the industry.

2. How long have you been in the area?

If an agent has been in the area for a while, they know the local market well – the pros and cons. Plus, they will know much realistically you will get for your property in the current market.

3. Have you a database of buyers interested in my type of property?

If an agent does have a database of interested buyers, you may avoid some of the hassles of going to market, such as open and closed inspections and marketing your property.

4. Which is the best marketing strategy for my property and why?

Depending on your property, a simple online marketing option is enough, but in some cases, print media works better. A good agent will talk through the various marketing options, the benefits of each strategy, and what strategy or even combined strategies will work best for selling your property.

5. Will this cost me anything extra?

Always ask what marketing activities are included in your agreement and what extras and how much you’ll have to pay. Some agents charge for additional marketing activities such as ‘for sale’ signage outside the property and placing featured ads online and/or in the local newspaper.

6. What’s the best way of selling my property?

Does the agent recommend a private sale or going to auction – and do they fully explain why this method is the best?

7. May I review any documents I need to sign before I commit to you?

Asking to see documents before you sign will help you see what is included and what extras you will need to pay for. Also some agents do not use agreements prepared by the Real Estate Institute and approved by the Law Society.

8. How do you plan to arrange viewings of my property?

Is it via scheduled ‘open inspection’ or by appointment only, and also ask why they think this method is the best.

9. What makes you different from other agents?

The point of difference between agents is essential if you’re looking at deciding between agents with similar valuations and commission fees.

10. What kind of service are you getting before you’ve signed on the dotted line?

The service you get from an agent before you’ve signed on the dotted line may give you an indication of the service you’ll get if you decide to sign the contract. For instance, has the agent been helpful, properly answered your questions and are they timely with returning calls?

We recommend you speak to two or three agents and see what kind of a rapport you feel you have with them. Also, it’s not hard to see an agent in action – find out where the agent is holding an open inspection and casually observe how they interact with potential buyers.

If you are looking for a real estate agent, would like to know what you have to do to increase the value of your property, or even just want to know how the selling process works is for future reference, our knowledgeable and experienced team would love to help. With over 40 years of business in the area, we are one of Newcastle’s longest established real estate offices, so give us a call on 02 4954 8833 or pop into our office for a chat.