Choosing an agent is one of those decisions people often rush, mostly defaulting to whoever they know or whoever offers the lowest commission. Both are the wrong starting point. Here's what actually separates a good agent from an average one.
Local knowledge beats a big name
An agent who genuinely knows your specific suburb, street, and buyer pool will price and market your home more accurately than one working off general market data. Ask how many sales they've personally handled in your suburb in the last year, not just across the wider city. Here at Bass Properties we have over 2300 properties in our sold database.
A registered, compliant agent isn't optional
Confirm your agent is registered with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and holds a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate. This isn't a nice-to-have, it's a legal requirement, and it protects you if anything goes wrong with how the transaction's funds are handled.
Ask how they'll actually market your home
A good agent should be able to explain their specific plan, professional photography, floor plans, which portals they'll list on, how they'll use their own buyer database, and whether social media or a show day forms part of the strategy. Vague answers here are a warning sign. Here at Bass Properties we ensure your property is marketed on all platforms and boosted on social media channels.
Communication style matters more than people expect
You'll be dealing with this person regularly through what can be a stressful process. Ask how often they'll update you, and in what format, before you sign anything. An agent who's hard to reach during the sales process usually stays hard to reach once there's a problem to solve. Our agents remain committed to keep you in the loop throughout the entire process.
Don't choose purely on commission
The lowest commission doesn't always deliver the highest net proceeds. An agent who prices accurately, negotiates well, and markets properly, can secure a better price that more than offsets a slightly higher commission rate. Ask what's included in that commission, and what level of service backs it up.
Ask for recent, verifiable references
A reputable agent should be comfortable providing recent clients you can actually contact, not just testimonials pulled from a website. A quick conversation with a past seller tells you more about an agent's actual conduct than any marketing material will. We encourage our clients to leave honest Google Reviews that can be seen here.
Trust your read on the person too
Beyond the credentials, you'll be trusting this person with a significant financial transaction and, often, personal circumstances behind the sale. If something feels off in how they communicate or handle your questions upfront, that's worth paying attention to.
Ready to talk to someone who knows your suburb?
Our agents live and work in the East London community they sell in, and we're happy to talk through our approach, our track record in your specific area, and answer any questions before you commit to anything.
Get a free Comparative Market Assessment or speak to a Bass Property Group agent.
