What Can Property Sellers Expect from their Estate Agent

Even if property sellers have the option of selling their property on their won, a majority of them would feel more secure about the entire selling process if there was an estate agent working with them. If you fall under this group of property sellers, what can you expect from your hired estate agent?

• Licencing:  You can expect that your hired estate agent is licensed. To be a part of the real estate business, certain qualifications and licensing requirements specific to seller must be met. Aside from licensing, your hired real estate agent must be employed and authorized as a representative of the firm he is a part of. He must have a written note stating that he is authorized to work as an estate agent on behalf of the estate broker. Check with the Business Licensing Authority or the BLA for your peace of mind. The name of the agent you want to hire must be in the public registry of estate agents. If you want to make sure that the agent is a representative of the estate broker, he claims to be under of, verify with the BLA as well.
• Commission: You can expect that if you put your property under the real estate listing with the help of your agent, you are agreeing that he will receive a percentage of the selling price in the event that your property gets sold. This percentage, which normally ranges from 5 to 10%,  is the agent’s commission. Sometimes, there is a conflict, whether an agent must receive the commission he demanded upfront or not if the property was sold anyway without the agent lifting a finger. Talk to your hired real estate agent what is the best road to take when this happens. 
• Character: You can expect that your hired real estate agent must be ethical and professional at all times. He should have your best interest at heart and must be law-abiding at all times. He must be aware of the regulations specific to real estate so all transactions he engages in on your behalf will be clean, no red tape whatsoever. 
• Marketing: If you are seeking for the best method of sale for your property, he must provide you with a strategic marketing plan. The way he will advertise your property must be in accordance with industry standards in Victoria so your property starts out competitive even in the first instance. He should also advise you on what aspects of the property you should highlight when putting it in Victoria real estate listings. He must organize your open house or your auction, stage your property accordingly and arrange all inspections that will follow after. 

It is understood that by hiring an estate agent, he will make sure that your property will attract as many potential buyers as possible. He will also see to it to arrange all the necessary procedures that come after a sale are made such as preparing the contract of sale, explaining the implications of the said contract and other business aspects involved during the settlement.

For first time property sellers, it is critical that you devote as much time as you can to prepare your home for sale when looking for an estate agent to hire. The decision you make on who to hire will definitely have an impact on the stages of the selling process that will follow.