Evaluate a strategy by verifying the agent has sold comparable properties in your suburb within the last 6–12 months and checking if those homes sold at or above guide. In April 2026, a sensible strategy must balance increased listing volumes—up nearly 40% since December 2025 (Raine & Horne)—against dampened buyer urgency following RBA rate hikes
Vendors should ask for a fully itemised breakdown of Vendor-paid advertising (VPA), ensuring standard costs ($6,500–$8,000) or premium packages ($8,000–$12,000) are detailed in the Sales Authority (CoreLogic/Cotality, Domain, PropTrack, REIV, RBA, and ATO research, April 2026). It is critical to confirm the agent will pass on all portal rebates and discounts to the vendor. Digital
Selling with a single, high-performing agent is more effective than using multiple agencies. Success depends on the agent’s demonstrated results in your specific suburb over the last 6–12 months and their ability to drive competition, rather than the number of agents listed. Vendors often believe that listing with multiple agencies increases exposure, but this frequently
Negotiating a better commission involves balancing the percentage rate against the agent’s ability to drive a higher final sale price. In metropolitan Melbourne, rates generally range from 1.6% to 2.5% (OpenAgent, WhichRealEstateAgent), but the priority should be the net return to the vendor after all fees are paid. Commission in Victoria is not capped or
Verify an agent’s claims by cross-referencing their sold listings on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au to check days on market and whether properties sold at or above the guide. Interview at least three agents, requesting written CMAs and evidence of comparable sales in your suburb from the last 6–12 months. Claims of record-breaking results are common during
Decide by verifying which agent has sold comparable properties in your suburb within the last 6–12 months and reviewing their actual results on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. Compare written Comparative Market Analyses (CMA) from at least three agents, focusing on their evidence for the price range and the logic behind their recommended sale method. Discrepancies in
Key red flags include response times exceeding 24 hours, a lack of comparable sales in your suburb within the last 6–12 months, and non-itemised advertising costs. You should also be wary of price guides that do not reflect the reserve or agents who cannot provide a written Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Many vendors mistake a
An exclusive agency agreement is a legal contract where a vendor appoints one agent to sell their property for a set period, typically 60–90 days in Melbourne. The agreement must itemise all Vendor Paid Advertising (VPA) costs and state the commission amount alongside an equivalent dollar figure. Vendors have a 3-day cooling-off period after signing
There is no single fixed number of annual sales that defines a good agent in 2026. The critical benchmark is whether an agent has sold comparable properties in your specific suburb within the last 6–12 months, rather than their total annual volume. Vendor confidence improved substantially through late 2025, leading to a 40% increase in
The key difference between a local agent and one covering all of Melbourne lies in their area-specific knowledge and network. Local agents, like those at Fletchers, specialize in specific areas such as Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula, and the Bellarine Peninsula, offering deeper understanding of local market trends and buyer preferences. This specialization can
