The top 8 questions to ask your agent before selling

Your agent is an expert at selling homes, so make sure you leverage their vast knowledge and experience to get the best possible results. Here are 8 questions to ask your agent before selling your home.

1. Is now the best time to sell?

The best time to sell depends on your personal circumstances and current market conditions, so ask your agent to explain all the pros and cons of selling right now.

2. How much can I sell for?

Ask your agent how much your property would sell for in today’s market. It’s important that you’re both on the same page in terms of selling price expectations. Ask your agent to provide examples of other ‘comparable’ properties that have sold recently and the prices they achieved.

3. How long will it take to sell my home?

There isn’t always a straightforward answer to this question, but ask your agent anyway. They will be able to give a general answer based on other sales of similar properties in recent times.

4. What sale method should I use?

There are two main ways to sell a private home in Australia – private treaty or auction. They each have pros and cons that you’ll need to weigh up, so ask your agent what selling method they recommend for your home and why.

5. How should I advertise my home?

If potential buyers don’t know your home is for sale, there’s no chance they’ll turn into actual buyers. You can’t sell a secret, so discuss advertising options with your agent, including add-ons and other opportunities to get the word out there.

6. How much will it cost to sell my home?

Ask your agent for a full list of selling costs, including marketing, styling and your agent’s commission. If necessary, ask which costs can be scaled back to meet your selling budget.
“Online advertising is the cheapest form of marketing around,” said homes.com.au Founder & Managing Director, Pat Carbone.

“At homes.com.au, we allow agents to list standard advertisements for free. Premium ads cost just a few hundred dollars compared to thousands with our biggest competitors.”

7. What improvements need to be made to my home?

Some improvements are worth investing in, some aren’t. Consult with your agent to decide which improvements are most likely to have a real impact on your selling price.

8. How should I style my home for sale?

When potential buyers go to inspections, they are looking for a home they want to live in, not just somewhere that is ‘good enough’. Talk to your agent about the ideal way to style your home for your target market. They can also refer you to a trusted stylist to help with this process.

**

These 8 questions will help you and your agent work together as a team to get the best possible price for your home. Happy selling!