How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Perth

Interview two or three agents who sell homes like yours in your area, and judge them on evidence, not promises. Ask each one to back their price with recent comparable sales, give you a written marketing plan and costs, and put their commission and agreement terms in writing. Be wary of the agent with the highest appraisal, because it is often the one telling you what you want to hear.

Choosing an agent is the biggest decision you make in a sale, and most people make it on gut feel after a friendly chat at the kitchen bench. You can do better than that. Here is how I would choose an agent if I were selling, including the questions that separate a good one from a good talker.

Start with who actually sells homes like yours

The right agent for a three-bedroom house in one suburb is not automatically the right agent for an apartment two suburbs over. Before you invite anyone through the door, look at who has recently sold homes similar to yours, in your area, at prices close to what you expect.

Sold results matter more than listings. Plenty of agents have signboards everywhere. What you want to know is how many of those turned into sales, how long they took, and how close the final price landed to where the agent started. An agent with a smaller number of strong, recent, relevant sales is often a better bet than a big name who mostly sells something different.

Also check the basics. Every real estate agent and sales representative in WA must be licensed, and you can confirm that through the Consumer Protection licence search before you sign anything.

Treat the highest appraisal with suspicion

This is the trap that costs sellers the most money. Agents know you will be tempted by the biggest number, so some will quote high to win the listing and then spend the campaign talking your price down.

WA Consumer Protection's own advice to sellers is not to choose an agent just because they give you the highest estimated selling price. Deliberately overstating a price to win your business is called overquoting, and it is illegal in WA.

The fix is simple. Ask every agent to show you how they got to their number, using recent comparable sales near you. If they cannot point to real sales that support their figure, the figure is a sales pitch, not an appraisal. A lower number that is properly backed is worth more to you than a higher one that is not.

The questions worth asking at the interview

You will get a polished presentation from everyone. These questions get past it:

• Which recent sales support your price? Ask for addresses, sale prices and dates.
• Who will actually look after my sale? Find out who runs the home opens, who takes buyer calls and who negotiates. It is not always the person in front of you.
• How would you sell this home, and why that method? A good agent will explain why private treaty, auction or another approach suits your property, not just default to what they always do.
• What will the marketing cost, and what do I get for it? Ask for a written marketing plan with each item priced.
• How will you report to me? Ask how often you will hear about enquiries, inspections and buyer feedback, and in what form.
• What happens if it does not sell? Ask what they would change, and what your options are under the agreement.

Pay attention to how they handle bad news. An agent who will tell you something uncomfortable at the interview is far more useful than one who agrees with everything you say.

Compare the full cost, not just the commission

Commission in Perth typically sits around 2.3% to 2.7% plus GST, and is sometimes below 2% closer to the CBD. There is no single set rate, so it is agreed between you and the agent and should be written into your agreement.

Marketing is separate. In WA, advertising and marketing costs are usually paid by the seller on top of the commission, so compare the total: commission plus marketing plus any other charges. A lower commission with an expensive marketing package can easily cost you more than the agent who looked dearer at first glance.

The cheapest agent is not the best agent either. A good negotiator who gets you a stronger price can more than cover a slightly higher fee. Ask yourself which agent you trust to hold the line with a buyer, then compare their costs.

For a full breakdown, read how real estate agent commission works in Perth and who pays for marketing when you sell in WA.

Read the agreement before you sign it

When you choose an agent, you sign a written authority that appoints them to sell your home. Read it properly. In WA there is no cooling-off period after you sign a written authority, so once it is signed, you are committed to its terms.

Before you sign, check:

• How long the agreement runs, and when it ends
• Whether it is exclusive, and what commission is payable if the home sells during the term, including to a buyer you find yourself
• Whether any commission could still be payable after the agreement ends
• The commission rate and the marketing costs, exactly as you discussed them
• How you can end the agreement if the agent is not performing

If anything is unclear, ask for it to be explained or changed in writing before you sign. If an agent will not put a promise in writing, that tells you something.

When to start, and how many agents to see

Most sellers start preparing two to three months before they list and compare agents around five to six weeks out. That gives you time to meet two or three agents properly, compare their written proposals side by side, and still have room to prepare the home.

Two or three is usually enough. Meeting six agents tends to produce six different prices and a lot of confusion, without telling you much more. For more on timing, read when to start talking to a real estate agent.

Questions sellers ask

How many real estate agents should I interview in Perth?
Two or three is usually right. Choose agents who have recently sold homes similar to yours in your area, ask each for a written proposal, and compare them side by side.

Should I choose the agent who gives the highest appraisal?
No. WA Consumer Protection advises against choosing an agent just because they quote the highest price. Ask every agent to back their figure with recent comparable sales. Overquoting to win a listing is illegal in WA.

Can I negotiate commission with a Perth agent?
There is no single set rate, so commission is agreed between you and the agent. Perth commission typically sits around 2.3% to 2.7% plus GST. Whatever you agree, get it written into the agreement before you sign.

Is there a cooling-off period after signing with an agent in WA?
No. In WA there is no cooling-off period after you sign a written authority with a real estate agent. Read the term, exclusivity and commission conditions carefully before you sign.

How do I check a real estate agent is licensed in WA?
Use the licence search on the WA Consumer Protection website. Every real estate agent and sales representative selling property in WA must be licensed.

The honest summary

Choose an agent on evidence. Look for recent sales of homes like yours, test every price against comparable sales, and be most careful with the agent who quotes the highest number. Compare the full cost, not just the commission, and read the written authority before you sign, because in WA there is no cooling-off once you do. The right agent will be happy to put all of it in writing.

If you are weighing up agents and want a straight, written appraisal backed by real sales, I am happy to give you one. Book a free appraisal, or grab the free seller's guide if you would rather read first.

This article is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Commission rates and marketing costs vary between agents and properties. Always get fees, costs and agreement terms in writing and read your written authority before you sign.