★★★★★
An engaged, guiding partner from beginning to end“From the get go, Steve Lowe from Agent Team inspired confidence through his very personable and professional approach.”
Seller · HoltRateMyAgentHome/Selling/How to choose an agent
Choosing a real estate agent
How to choosethe right agent.
Most people pick an agent on the highest price quoted or a friendly chat at the door. Here is what actually separates a good agent from the rest, how to check any agent yourself, and the questions to ask. Written by Agent Team, with our own numbers beside each point so you can compare.
Start here
What does it
cost to sell?
Most sellers ask about cost first, so let's start there.
Selling a home has a handful of costs. The agent's commission is a percentage of the sale price, agreed in writing and paid from the proceeds at settlement. Marketing (portal listings, photos, signboard, social) is usually separate, and paid at launch or at settlement. You will also pay a solicitor or conveyancer, and some homes need a building report or energy rating.
The cheapest commission is not always the best deal. A fee that is 0.5% lower means nothing if the home sells for 2% less. Compare what each agent includes, and what they have achieved, not just the rate.
How to check: ask every agent for a written proposal with the commission, an itemised marketing budget and an estimate of your net result.
What to look for
Six things that
matter most
Each one is easy to check before you sign anything. Beside each, our own figure, so you have something to compare against.
01
Recent sales near you
Ask how many homes the agent has sold in the last 12 months, and how many in your area. A big career total can hide an agent who sells very little now. Recent, local sales mean they know today's buyers and today's prices.
How to check: look up the agent's profile on realestate.com.au, Domain and RateMyAgent and count their sales in the last year.
02
How quickly their homes sell
Days on market tells you whether an agent prices and markets homes well. Homes that sit for months usually started at the wrong price, often because the agent quoted high to win the listing.
How to check: ask for their median days on market over the last year, and compare it with the suburb's median.
03
The gap between first price and sale price
A high appraisal feels good, but it is not an offer. What matters is how close their homes sell to the first advertised price. Big gaps usually mean price cuts, longer campaigns and weaker results.
How to check: ask how many of their homes needed a price reduction last year, and by how much.
04
Real reviews, lots of them
Look for a large number of recent reviews from people who sold with the agent, not just buyers. Read the low ones too: how the agent responds tells you a lot.
How to check: read the agent's reviews on RateMyAgent and Google, and sort by most recent.
05
One agent, or a whole team
Ask who will actually answer your calls, run the open homes, follow up every buyer and handle the paperwork. One busy agent juggling ten listings misses buyers.
How to check: ask who does each job during your campaign, and how quickly buyers are followed up.
06
How they find buyers
More portals is not the whole answer. Ask how the agent reaches buyers before the home goes online, and how they create competition between them.
How to check: ask how many active buyers they can contact on day one, and which portals they list on.
Agent Team figures: career sales, last-12-month sales and median days on market from RateMyAgent and Ignite, October 2026. Reviews: RateMyAgent, listed under Steve Lowe, who leads every Agent Team sale.
Do your homework
How to research
any agent
Five steps, about an hour all up, before you choose.
01Look up recent salesCheck realestate.com.au, Domain and Allhomes for homes they sold near you this year.
02Read the reviewsRateMyAgent and Google. Recent ones from sellers count most.
03Ask your neighboursWho sold nearby, how it went, and would they use the agent again.
04Meet three agentsSame questions to each, at your home. Write the answers down.
05Compare written proposalsPrice evidence, method, marketing, fees and net result, side by side.
Take this to every appraisal
10 questions
to ask every agent
Ask every agent the same questions. Print this list and write their answers down.
- How many homes have you sold near me in the last 12 months?A good answer: Specific addresses and prices, not a career total.
- What is your median days on market?A good answer: A number, and how it compares with the suburb.
- What evidence supports your price?A good answer: Recent comparable sales you can look up yourself.
- How many of your listings needed a price cut last year?A good answer: An honest number, and why.
- Who will I deal with day to day?A good answer: Names and roles, not just 'the office'.
- How do you follow up every buyer?A good answer: Same-day calls, feedback after every inspection.
- Which method of sale suits my home, and why?A good answer: A reason based on your home and the market, not habit.
- What is included in the marketing budget?A good answer: An itemised list, with what each item does.
- What will I walk away with?A good answer: An estimate of your net result after all costs.
- What happens if I am unhappy?A good answer: A clear exit, in writing, before you sign.
Be careful of
Red flags
when you meet an agent
A price far above the rest
With no recent sales to back it up. It wins the listing, then the price cuts begin.
Pressure to sign today
A good agent is happy for you to compare proposals and take your time.
No clear exit
A long agreement with no way out if the service is not what was promised.
Not ready to book?
Choose your
next step
Pick whatever is useful right now. Every option is free, and none of them commits you to anything.
Get the free guideOur 32-page Home Seller's Guide, printed and dropped to your door, or read it online now.Get the guide
Take the free course21 short videos on timing, pricing, preparation and negotiating. Watch at your own pace.Start the course
Get a suburb reportRecent sales near you, the median price and days on market, and an estimate for your home.Request the report
Book an appraisalMeet an agent at your home. A free, written plan for your sale, with no obligation.See times
Free suburb report
What is selling
near you?
Tell us your address and our data team will email you a short report within one working day: recent sales near your home, the median price, how long homes are taking to sell, and an estimate for your property. Checked by a person, not just an algorithm.
4.9
In our clients' words
From 476 RateMyAgent reviews, plus verified reviews on realestate.com.au. Swipe or use the arrows.
★★★★★
Communication was fantastic“Steve and Tiff went above and beyond handling every detail with absolute professionalism, nothing was too much. They kept in touch and communicated with me throughout the process and after every open house.”
Seller · HigginsRateMyAgent★★★★★
Genuine and supportive“Working with Steve, Tiff and the team was a fantastic experience. They were honest, knowledgeable, and always easy to communicate with.”
Seller · HoltRateMyAgent★★★★★
Great communication and guidance for first time seller“From start to finish there was great communication about what to expect and how the process would go.”
Seller · BruceRateMyAgent★★★★★
Happy to have enlisted Agent Team“Steve, Tiffany and the team were wonderful, professional at every level and approachable. Open houses were at different times which suited many.”
Seller · HoltRateMyAgent★★★★★
Look no further!“We had a great experience with Steve from The Agent Team. He came on board at the right time and were able to achieve a fantastic result for us with selling our property.”
Seller · HarrisonRateMyAgent★★★★★
Professional and transparent“Steve was professional, approachable and transparent during the entire selling process.”
Seller · HoltRateMyAgent★★★★★
Verified review“Fantastic knowledge and help, Steve advised us and always got back to us quickly when we sent him a message.”
Seller · Surf Beach, NSWrealestate.com.au★★★★★
Verified review“Absolutely amazing work by Steve and Tiff.”
Seller · Macgregorrealestate.com.au★★★★★
Verified review“The Agent Team recently sold our home, Steven & Tiffany were fantastic to work with from start to finish.”
Seller · Lathamrealestate.com.au★★★★★
Exceptional service from start to finish“Tiffany and Steve were absolutely amazing! They made the entire home-buying process so simple and stress free.”
Buyer · HigginsRateMyAgent★★★★★
Time efficient, very on the ball“Steve and Tiff were amazing with time frames, making us feel like priority and getting everything organised behind the scenes.”
Buyer · HoltRateMyAgent★★★★★
Very professional“It was a great experience as a first-time property buyer. Tiff and Steve were very accommodating and prompt in answering all our questions throughout the process.”
Buyer · HoltRateMyAgentFAQ
Questions
we get asked
Should I choose the agent with the highest appraisal?
Not on that alone. An appraisal is an opinion, not an offer. Ask each agent for the recent sales behind their figure, and choose the one whose evidence and plan you trust.
Is the cheapest commission the best deal?
Not always. Commission is a small part of the result. A slightly higher fee from an agent who gets a stronger price and a quicker sale often leaves you with more money.
How many agents should I interview?
Three is usually enough to compare evidence, method and fees without it taking over your week.
Can I change agents if it is not working?
That depends on your agency agreement. Ask about the term and how to end it before you sign. At Agent Team, if you are unhappy with our service, we part ways once unrecoverable marketing costs are settled, with no break fee.
Book an appraisal
Ready to compare?
Meet one of our agents.
Book a free appraisal and put our answers to every question on this page. You get a written plan for your sale, whoever you choose in the end.
Likely price rangeBacked by recent sales near you, not an online estimate.
Best method of saleAuction, private treaty or pre-market, and why.
Preparation adviceWhat to fix, style or leave, and what it costs.
TimingWhen to launch, and how to line up your next move.
Marketing directionWhere your buyers are and how we reach them.
Pre-market optionsTesting demand with our database before launch.
Your net resultCommission, marketing and costs laid out clearly.
Next stepsA written proposal to read in your own time.
Or call the office on 02 6152 8374. Choosing an agent is easy: meet the A Team.