Questions to ask a real estate agent before signing

Appointing a real estate agent is a significant decision, and the agency agreement you sign can shape how your whole campaign runs. Before you commit, it is worth working through a clear set of questions covering the appraisal, the campaign team, the costs and the agreement terms itself.

None of these questions are designed to catch an agent out. A good agent will welcome them, because clear expectations on both sides tend to lead to a smoother campaign and fewer disagreements later.

About the appraisal and comparable evidence

Ask the agent to walk you through the comparable sales behind their appraisal. Which properties did they use, how recently did they sell, and how do those properties compare to yours in condition, location and land size?

Ask how confident they are in the figure and what could move the price up or down once the campaign begins. Be cautious of an appraisal that seems well above what comparable sales support. It is worth understanding the reasoning, not just the number.

About who actually runs the campaign

Find out who will conduct your open homes, handle buyer enquiries and negotiate offers. In some agencies, the person who wins your listing is not the person who manages the day to day campaign.

Ask how many other properties that person is currently managing, and how often you can expect an update. If you have a preferred method of communication, such as phone calls over emails, say so early and confirm the agent is comfortable with it.

About commission, marketing costs and what is in writing

Ask for the commission rate, the marketing budget and any other costs in writing before you sign anything. Clarify what the marketing budget covers, whether it is payable upfront or at settlement, and what happens to that spend if your property does not sell during the agreed campaign.

Ask whether the commission rate is negotiable and what is included for that fee. A lower rate is not automatically better value, and a higher rate is not automatically justified, so ask the agent to explain what you are paying for in each case.

About the agency agreement terms

Read the agency agreement carefully before signing. Ask how long the agreement runs, whether it gives the agent exclusive rights to sell your property, and what process is involved if you want to end the agreement early.

Check for any clauses about fees payable if you sell privately or through another agent during the agreement period. If any part of the agreement is unclear, speak with your solicitor or conveyancer before you sign. A seller advocate, known as a vendor advocate in some southern states, can also help review an agreement and explain your options if you would like a second set of eyes on it.

About reporting and communication

Ask how often you will receive updates during the campaign, and in what format. Will you get written feedback after each inspection? How will the agent let you know if interest is lower than expected, or if a change in strategy is needed?

Agree on these expectations before the campaign starts. It is much easier to raise a concern about communication in week one than to resolve a dispute about it in week four.

How BrokerMyAgent can help

BrokerMyAgent is an agent matchmaker, not a sales agency. We help you compare vetted local agents, and we review agents' selling proposals, commission and marketing costs, and challenge anything that doesn't stack up. We help you ask the right questions before you sign, and we stay available for advice and support right through to settlement.

Our service is free for homeowners, and your appointed best-fit agent is the one who manages the sale and conducts negotiations. To understand how we shortlist and vet agents, read more about how we select agents.

If you are getting ready to sell, book a free intro call and we can help you prepare the right questions for your own situation.