If you’re about to sell your home, here’s one thing that matters more than your listing price: choosing an agent and the questions you ask your real estate agent.
At Best Local Real Estate Agents, we connect thousands of sellers each year with Australia’s most trusted and proven agents. With over 44,000+ home sellers and 50,000+ agents compared, we know what separates a smooth sale from a not-so-smooth one.
Let’s help you get the most out of your agent — and your home — by asking the right questions before signing on that dotted line.
Essential Questions to Ask Real Estate Agent When Selling
Here’s what you need to ask and why it matters.
1. What is your experience in this local market?
Start with this. Always.
Your real estate agent’s knowledge of the local market directly impacts your sale outcome. That’s why this is a key factor for ranking and listing agents at Best Local Real Estate Agents, from residential real estate agents to buyer’s agent and property managers.
You need someone who’s sold similar properties in your suburb, not just someone who works in the next postcode.
For example, a home in Norwood won’t attract the same buyers or pricing trends as one in Gawler. Make sure your estate agent knows the difference. So, ask about:
• How many properties they’ve sold in your area in the last 12 months
• The average days on market for their listings
• Their network of potential buyers in your neighbourhood
Agents with local market insight can better forecast market conditions and set realistic expectations.
2. What’s your recommended listing price — and why?
Never just accept a number.
Ask your estate agent how they arrived at the listing price. They should be able to back it up with a comparative market analysis, showing recent sales of similar properties, the current market trajectory, and buyer demand.
A price that’s too high can scare away the right buyers, leading to a stale listing and lower price later. A price too low? You’re leaving money on the table.
A good agent will balance urgency with value and help you aim for the best price in the shortest time.
3. What’s your selling strategy from day one to settlement?
You want specifics not generalities.
Ask your agent to outline their full plan, from the pre-listing campaign to the final handshake.
This should include:
• Pre-market preparation: professional photography, floor plans, staging advice
• Online presence: Which real estate portals they’ll use
• Open houses vs private treaty: What fits your property best?
• Buyer follow-ups and enquiry handling
• Agent’s strategy to create urgency and negotiate strong offers
Tip: The agent’s negotiation skills matter just as much as marketing. Ask for examples where they’ve negotiated above asking price.
4. How will you attract and convert potential buyers?
In a competitive real estate market, it’s not enough to list. You need to stand out. Ask about:
• Use of online advertising (e.g. social media ads, Google retargeting)
• Their database of right buyers actively looking
• Past campaigns for investment property or family homes
• How they craft emotional hooks in property descriptions
The best agents understand buyer psychology. They know how to highlight features that make your property appeals to ideal prospects.
5. What’s your agent’s commission and what does it cover?
Don’t be shy about this.
Right from Day 1, ask about their agent’s commission, whether they offer a flat fee or percentage-based, and what’s included in that cost.
Make sure to clarify:
• Is marketing extra or bundled?
• Who pays for professional photography?
• Are open houses covered?
• Do they charge for additional listings on premium real estate portals?
A good agent will be transparent. They’ll also justify their fee by showing their proven track record.
6. Can I see your recent sales and client reviews?
Real results speak louder than pitches.
Ask for at least 3-5 recent listings, preferably similar properties in your area. Look at:
• Days on market
• Final price vs listed price
• Buyer type and negotiation notes
Also check platforms like Best Local Real Estate Agents or Google Reviews to see rankings, ratings and reviews. If you’re working with Best Local Real Estate Agents, we’ve already done this; we’ve filtered 50,000+ agents, comparing them by experience, reviews, results, and suburb-level performance.
7. How do you handle offers and negotiations?
Selling is emotional. Offers can come quickly, and it’s easy to react instead of plan.
Ask your estate agent when selling:
• How they present offers
• Whether they recommend counters or fast acceptance
• Their history in agent’s negotiation skills
You want someone who’s calm under pressure, can set realistic expectations, and guide you through multiple-offer situations or tricky buyers.
8. What if my home doesn’t sell?
A great agent won’t avoid this question; they’ll prepare you for it. In hot real estate markets like Adelaide or Brisbane, the median days on market (DOM) for properties range from as low as 20 to 28. Ask what happens if the property sits too long:
• Will they adjust the listing price?
• Re-target with new online advertising?
• Recommend a change in strategy (e.g. auction vs private treaty)?
This shows how proactive and honest your real estate agent is about risk and fallback plans.
Other Essential Questions Worth Asking
• How many clients do you handle at once?
• Will I be dealing with you directly or your assistant?
• What’s your approach during open houses?
• What makes you the right real estate agent for my property?
Little-Known Tip: Review the Agency Agreement
Many sellers skip this. Don’t.
Before signing, check:
• Contract length
• Exclusivity clause
• Exit terms
• Commission breakdown
This ensures you’re not stuck with the wrong prospective agent for too long.
How Best Local Real Estate Agents Makes Selling Easier
At Best Local Real Estate Agents, we don’t just match you with any agent. We analyse weekly:
• 1,000+ seller calls
• 8 million+ transaction data points
• 15,000+ suburbs across Australia
Our platform exists to help sellers choose the best agent for their needs based on real performance.
Whether you’re in Adelaide, Brisbane, or Sydney, we help you ask better questions and find agents with real answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I ask a buyer’s agent?
Ask how many homes they’ve bought in your area, how they negotiate, and how they find off-market listings. This helps you get value in both investment property and owner-occupied purchases.
What is the most asked question to real estate agent?
The most common question is: “How much is my property worth?” Sellers want to understand the listing price, and rightly so. A smart agent will back this with a comparative market analysis, not just a guess.
What are the three most important things in real estate?
Location, presentation, and price. These determine how your property appeals to potential buyers. Your experienced agent should tailor their strategy based on all three.
How to interview a real estate agent?
Prepare 5–8 of the questions to ask real estate agent when selling, assess their local sales record, and test their honesty. A good interview helps you find the right agent, not just a friendly one.
Do all agents charge the same commission?
No. While there are industry norms (1.6–2.5% in most parts of Australia), commissions vary based on location, agent experience, and sale price. Always compare based on services, not just price.
Selling soon? Start with the questions and we’ll connect you with the best answers. Start comparing or reach out to get connected to top agents in your city.
