Written from the trenches of Auckland real estate by Amit Sharma — Bayleys agent, 10+ years marketing experience.
Ask for the last ten properties they personally listed — not their team, not their brand. Look at list price versus sale price, days on market, and whether each one actually sold.
Ask how they will market your specific property, and ask to see examples of marketing they have produced for similar homes. Generic packages are a red flag.
Ask who will be at every open home and who answers buyer enquiries. The person you sign with should be the person who shows your home.
Ask about their commission, marketing spend, and what is included. Cheapest is rarely best, but unexplained premium pricing is also a warning.
Trust your gut on communication. You will be talking to this person at least weekly for two months. If they are slow to reply during the pitch, they will be slower during the campaign.
And one more — ask for references you can actually call. A good agent will hand you a list without hesitating.