10 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent When Selling

Choose the Right Agent—It Could Be Worth Tens of Thousands

A great real estate agent can add tens of thousands of dollars to your sale price. A poor choice can cost you just as much.

The key to finding a real estate agent who delivers? Preparation. By walking into your agent interviews with the right questions, you'll quickly separate the professionals from the pretenders.

Whether you're a first-time seller or simply want to make a smarter choice this time, these 10 questions will give you the confidence to choose wisely.

About This Guide LocalAgentFinder has connected Australian homeowners with real estate agents since 2007. Our platform lets you compare agents by sales history, commission rates, marketing fees, and verified client reviews — completely free. Use these questions alongside a free agent comparison at LocalAgentFinder to make the most informed decision possible.

10 Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing Real Estate Agents

Key insight: Homeowners who interview and compare at least 2–3 agents before signing consistently achieve better outcomes than those who appoint the first agent they meet. Comparing multiple agents also protects against overquoting — one of the most common traps in Australian property sales, where agents inflate estimated prices to win listings, then pressure sellers to reduce.

1. "How long have you been a real estate agent?"

Experience matters—but it's not everything.

You're looking for an agent who's handled enough sales to navigate any situation, but who's also hungry enough to prioritise your property. A 20-year veteran coasting on reputation may not work as hard as a motivated agent with 5 years of solid results.

What to look for: Confidence, relevant experience, and genuine enthusiasm for your listing.

2. "What properties have you recently sold in my area?"

The best selling agents specialise. An agent who consistently sells properties like yours will understand your buyer pool, pricing dynamics, and what marketing works locally.

Benchmark: Look for at least 5 similar sales in the past 12 months—same suburb, similar price range and property type.

Bonus question: "Do you have buyers on your database who missed out on similar properties?" A well-connected agent may already have interested buyers waiting.

Compare agents in your area to see recent sales history, property types, and performance data before your interviews.

3. "What sale price do you think I can achieve?"

Every agent will give you a number. The important follow-up is: "What evidence supports that?"

A credible agent will reference:

• Recent comparable sales in your area
• Current market conditions
• Specific features that add or reduce value

Watch out for: Agents who quote high just to win your listing. This "buying the listing" tactic wastes your time and often leads to price drops later. Demand evidence, not optimism.

4. "How much will I need to spend on advertising?"

Marketing costs vary significantly. Understand what you're paying for:

• ‍Digital - realestate.com.au, Domain, social media, email campaigns
• ‍Traditional - Signboards, newspaper ads, brochures, agency window displays

Key questions:

• Is vendor-paid advertising (VPA) expected, or will the agent contribute?
• Which platforms deliver the best results for properties like mine?
• Can marketing costs be offset against commission?

Knowing your marketing outlay upfront helps you negotiate fees and avoid surprises.

5. "How long do you expect my property to take to sell?"

You won't get an exact answer—and that's fine. What you're testing is their market knowledge.

A strong agent will explain:

• Current demand in your area
• Seasonal factors affecting timing
• How your property type typically performs

Red flag: Vague answers or unrealistic promises. If they can't articulate the factors affecting your sale timeline, they may not understand your market.

6. "How do you handle difficult buyer questions?"

Your agent will field tough questions from buyers. You need to know they'll respond professionally—and strategically.

Ask how they'd answer:

• "How long has this property been on the market?"
• "Why is the owner selling?"
• "What's the lowest price they'll accept?"

What you're assessing: Composure, professionalism, and negotiation instincts. An agent who gets defensive or flustered here will do the same with real buyers.

7. "Are your fees negotiable?"

This isn't about finding the cheapest agent—it's about understanding value.

Ask:

• What's included in your commission?
• How does your fee compare to other agents in this area?
• What results justify your rate?

A skilled negotiator will confidently justify their fees. If they can't sell you on their own value, how will they sell your property to buyers?

Note: Commission rates vary by state and location. Use a real estate agent comparison tool to understand typical fees in your area.

8. "What sales method do you recommend for my property?"

Different properties suit different campaigns. Your agent should recommend a method based on your property, market conditions, and goals—not just their preference.

• ‍Auction - High-demand properties, competitive markets (popular in Melbourne/Sydney)
• ‍Private Sale - Most property types, flexible negotiation
• ‍Expressions of Interest (EOI) - Unique properties, testing market appetite
• ‍Tender - Commercial or high-value residential properties
• ‍Price on Application (POA) - Premium properties where pricing is sensitive

Also ask: How will inspections be managed—open homes, private appointments, or both?

9. "Can you provide references from past clients?"

Any reputable agent will happily connect you with previous sellers. Even newer agents should offer references from employers or colleagues.

Questions to ask references:

• What did you like most about working with this agent?
• How long did your property take to sell?
• Did they achieve the price you expected?
• What could they have done better?

Pro tip: Check online real estate agent ratings and reviews for unfiltered feedback from past clients.

10. "What makes you different from other agents?"

This is their chance to stand out. Listen for:

• Specific skills or strategies (not generic claims)
• Unique marketing approaches
• Local expertise or specialist knowledge
• Agency resources that benefit you

Red flag: Vague answers like "I work harder" or "I care more." The best agents can articulate exactly why they'll deliver better results.

Ready to Interview Agents With Confidence?

You now have the questions. The next step is finding the right agents to interview.

Compare real estate agents at LocalAgentFinder to see:

• Recent sales and performance history
• Commission rates and fee structures
• Agent ratings and verified reviews
• Marketing strategies and local expertise

Why Homeowners Use LocalAgentFinder:

• Side-by-side agent comparison – See who's actually performing in your area
• Transparent fees – Know what you'll pay before you commit
• Verified reviews – Read feedback from real sellers
• 100% free – No cost, no obligation

Quick Reference: Agent Interview Checklist

• Experience + motivation balance - "How long have you been an agent?"
• Local Expertise, relevant track record - "Recent sales in my area?"
• Market knowledge, evidence-based pricing - "What price can I achieve?"
• Transparency, marketing strategy - "Advertising costs?"
• Market understanding - "How long to sell?"
• Negotiation skills, professionalism - "Handling buyer questions?"
• Value proposition, confidence - "Are fees negotiable?"
• Strategic thinking, market fit - "Recommended sales method?"
• Accountability, past performance - "References available?"
• Unique value genuine differentiation - "What makes you different?"