Working with Agents
A focused learning module to guide you step-by-step on your home journey.
Estate agents are professionals who facilitate the sale of property. A good agent can be your greatest asset.
What Agents Do
- Valuation: Determine the correct market price for a property.
- Marketing: List properties on portals and manage viewings.
- Negotiation: Act as a middleman to negotiate price and terms between buyer and seller.
- Administration: Ensure all legal paperwork (OTP, FICA) is correct.
How to Select the Right Agent
For Sellers
- Area Specialist: Choose someone who sells many homes in your specific suburb. They know the buyers.
- Marketing Plan: Ask exactly how they plan to market your home (photos, portals, social media).
- Valuation Evidence: Don't just pick the agent who gives the highest price. Ask for "comps" (comparable sales) to back up their number.
- Sole Mandate: Giving one agent a sole mandate often motivates them to work harder for you.
For Buyers
- Responsiveness: Good agents reply quickly to enquiries.
- Listen to Needs: They should show you homes that match your brief, not just what they want to sell.
- Pre-qualification: Agents take you more seriously if you are pre-qualified.
- Honesty: Look for an agent who points out potential issues, not just the good features.
Commission
Agents earn a commission on the sale price, typically between 3% and 7%.Important: The seller usually pays the agent's commission, not the buyer.
PropReady Verified Agents
All agents on PropReady are verified with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA). This ensures you are working with qualified, legal professionals who have a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC).
Toolkit
Interactive resources at your fingertips
Essential resources, templates, and checklists to help you on your home buying journey. Click View to explore each resource in detail.
Agent Selection Checklist
ChecklistQuestions to ask and things to check when choosing an agent
Questions to Ask Agents
ChecklistImportant questions to ask before working with an agent