Choosing the wrong agent can cost you more than you think. Before you sign with anyone, here are five mistakes Northern Gold Coast homeowners commonly make when selecting a real estate agent and what to look for instead.
A high appraisal is not always confidence in your property. In many cases it is simply the easiest way to win your business. The pattern plays out the same way every time: the property launches too high, buyers do not engage, interest drops off, and then the conversation shifts to reducing your expectations.
Do not focus on who quoted the highest number. Focus on how they plan to achieve a strong result.
It is natural to gravitate towards someone easy to talk to. But selling your property is about getting the best result, not feeling comfortable. A good agent will challenge your thinking on price and strategy. That honesty in the early conversations is a strong sign of how they will handle the tougher moments during your sale.
Many sellers meet a senior agent at the listing presentation and assume that person manages everything. But once the paperwork is signed, open homes, buyer follow-up and negotiations are often handled by someone else.
Before you sign, ask directly: who will be at my open homes, who handles follow-up calls after inspections and who will be negotiating on my behalf?
A small saving on commission means nothing if weaker negotiation costs you significantly more on your sale price. The agent who is quickest to drop their own fee is often the same one who gives ground too easily when negotiating with buyers on your behalf.
Every agent can tell you what happens when everything goes to plan. The best agents have a clear strategy for when things do not go perfectly. Before you commit, ask how they would handle lower than expected enquiry or a single buyer at auction. Their answers will tell you more than anything in their listing presentation.
Also worth reading: 10 Small Changes That Can Help You Achieve a Better Sale Price on the Northern Gold Coast
Siebritz Real Estate works with sellers, buyers and property owners across the Northern Gold Coast and Queensland. Get in touch with our team to find out what your property could achieve in today's market.
