FAQs about finding an agent

• How do I choose the best agent?
  Choosing the best real estate agent can make a huge difference in your final sale price and overall experience. Look for an agent with strong local market knowledge, a proven sales record, and positive customer reviews. Comparing multiple agents through an agent comparison service can help you evaluate their marketing strategies, commission structures, and recent sales results. It’s also important to meet with agents in person to gauge their communication style and negotiation skills. The best agent for you will be someone who understands your goals, has a clear strategy to sell your home, and can confidently handle buyer inquiries and price negotiations. Check out our comprehensive guide on how to compare and choose the right agent for your sale.
• What are the costs involved in selling?
  Selling costs fall into two buckets: essential expenses and optional costs. Essentials usually include your agent's commission, marketing (professional photos, listing fees, floor plan, video), conveyancing and legal, mortgage discharge (if applicable), and settlement adjustments for council/water rates. You’ll also have moving costs. Optional spending is about maximising your result: repairs and touch-ups, painting or landscaping, and home staging/styling. Some campaigns also budget for an auctioneer or premium marketing upgrades. Every property and market is different, so build a simple budget with a buffer and prioritise the items that will most improve first impressions and buyer confidence. For a more detailed rundown of what to expect, check out our article on the cost of selling a house.
• How much are agent commissions?
  Generally speaking, average Australian real estate agent commission percentages may range from 1.0% to 3.6% of the total sale price, depending on location, property type, sale price, and the amount of competition between agents in an area. The simple rule of supply and demand dictates that postcodes with lots of local agents will drive competition for your listing. To get your business, they are forced to lower their rates. The reverse applies in rural areas, where fewer agents mean there is less competition over listings, often resulting in higher commissions. Our free commissions calculator will give you a clearer idea of what you can expect to pay in your suburb, and our comprehensive guide to agent commissions will walk you through how to compare agents, negotiate commissions, and understand different fee structures.
• How should I interview agents?
  Selecting the right agent for your sale is an incredibly important decision, so it's crucial to dig beneath the surface when speaking to candidates. You should meet at least two or three agents and treat each meeting like a structured interview. Ask for an evidence-based appraisal using recent comparable sales, why they recommend auction or private treaty for your home, and a realistic time-on-market range. Then dig into the plan: how they’ll launch the campaign, which marketing mediums they’ll use (photos, video, listing websites), open-home frequency, and how they'll tap their buyer database. Cover fees and terms, including commission, who pays for marketing and when, agreement length, and any notice period. Clarify who you’ll deal with day-to-day, how often you’ll get updates, and how they handle negotiations or pre-auction offers. Finish by requesting recent results like yours and a written proposal so you can compare like-for-like. Our guide to interviewing agents will walk you through 10 essential questions to help you hone in on your perfect pick.
• What else to consider when choosing an agent?
  Beyond knowing an agent's commission and prominence in your market, look at how they really fit your property and circumstance. Do they regularly sell homes like yours, in your price band and suburb, with strong recent results? Ask for an evidence-based appraisal, a clear sales method recommendation (and why), and a realistic time-on-market range. Assess how they work: the launch plan, marketing quality, and how they’ll reach real buyers in their database. Clarify who you’ll deal with day to day, how often you'll get updates, and how they handle negotiations and pre-auction offers. Check references or reviews, and read the agreement carefully, including contract length, inclusions, and any notice period. Choose the agent who explains the “why”, not just the “what”.
• How do I get the best price?
  Strong results come from three things: preparation, credible pricing, and a well-run campaign. Fix obvious defects, declutter and consider light styling; professional photos and a floor plan help buyers see the full value. Price to the lane you’re in: get a couple of appraisals, use recent comparable sales and set a realistic price guide or asking range so competition — not wishful thinking — does the work. Choose an agent with recent local results and a clear launch plan, including how they’ll reach active buyers. Be flexible with inspections and agree upfront how you'll handle offers and negotiations. And, rather than trying to time the market perfectly which can be risky, instead focus on bringing all the elements together to create an attractive campaign that will draw buyers no matter what the market conditions.
• Is there a good time to sell?
  Trying to “time the market” is risky and can backfire. Most sellers do best by focusing on things they can control — presentation, credible pricing and choosing the right agent — and by letting personal goals drive the decision. Seasonally, some periods are busier than others in many areas (spring often brings more listings and buyers), but more activity can also mean more competition from other homes. Local conditions vary from suburb to suburb, so what matters is how your property stacks up against current alternatives. The smarter approach is to time the campaign, not the cycle: get the home sale-ready, price it with real comparables, and run a tight, well-targeted campaign when you’re ready. That’s what consistently supports strong results.
• How long does it take to sell a house?
  The time it takes to sell a house in Australia depends on market conditions, location, and the chosen sales strategy. In high-demand markets, homes can sell within 10 to 30 days or so, while in slower markets, it can take 60 days or more. Auctions typically result in faster sales since they set a clear deadline and encourage competitive bidding, whereas private treaty sales can take longer due to price negotiations and buyer conditions. The speed of sale is also influenced by factors such as pricing strategy, property presentation, and the effectiveness of the marketing campaign. Working with an experienced real estate agent, setting a realistic asking price, and ensuring your home is well-prepared for inspections can help reduce time on the market and attract serious buyers more quickly.
• How to sell your home fast?
  Speed comes from preparation, credible pricing and a focused campaign. Get the home sale-ready — fix small defects, declutter, and focus on cosmetic upgrades, then use quality photos so buyers see the value immediately. Set a realistic price guide or asking range based on recent comparable sales to create urgency, not long negotiations. Choose an agent with recent local results and a clear launch plan, then make access easy with flexible inspection times and prompt responses. A well-presented, well-priced property with a tight timeline is what sells quickly.
• How does OpenAgent make money?
  When a property is sold, the successful real estate agent pays OpenAgent a referral fee, which is at a standard industry rate of 20%-30% of the total commission of the sold property. It enables us to offer our services at no cost to the homeowner whatsoever. Some agents pay us for a premium subscription, which means they will always appear in the recommendation set. To be eligible for the premium subscription, they must satisfy certain benchmarks and then maintain the highest level of quality. This is measured through user feedback, quantity of sales and other proprietary data. These agents are identified as 'Premier Agents' when they are recommended or displayed to you online. Other agents can pay to sponsor a suburb. Where an agent is paying to appear, they will be identified as ‘Sponsored’.