Choosing an Agent

Once you have made the decision to sell your home, the first thing you need to do is appoint a professional REIV agent to undertake the process on your behalf.

Before you decide whom to appoint to sell your property, it is important that you have a good rapport and level of trust with them, as you will be in close contact, probably for at least a couple of months, throughout the selling process.

The agents will generally ask to meet you at your property so they can gain an idea of its style and features and will use this information to provide the right advice to you about the most appropriate sale method and price expectation.

Other things to discuss with the agents include:

• Advice on the best sales method
• Comparable sales data
• Development of a marketing plan and the overall cost
• Presentation tips
• Proposed open-for-inspection dates and times
• Screening of potential buyers
• Their negotiation expertise
• Administration of paperwork
• The agent’s commission or fees
• Appoint an Agent

After you have met with the agent and decided that you would like to appoint us to sell your property, you will be asked to sign a written agreement (Authority) setting out the details of the sale. This includes the agreed fee to be paid to the agent upon completion of a sale and the amount you authorise the agent to spend on advertising and marketing the property on your behalf.
Real estate agents fees are fully negotiable between you and the agent. (The Government deregulated real estate agents commissions in February 1995).

Many sellers hope that “a buyer will just come along and pay our price”, however in reality the best prices are achieved when the property is properly promoted to all potential buyers. See ‘Promotion is Paramount’.
Read everything before signing anything!

This includes the Special Conditions on the back of the Authority. If you have any questions, either ask you agent or ring REIV’s Public Information Services on (03) 9205 6677.

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