Signing an agency agreement
An agency agreement (sometimes called a listing agreement) is a legally binding contract between you and the agent, setting out what they’ll do and the commission they’ll receive. Before you sign, the agent is required to recommend you seek legal advice, take that seriously, since this is a binding contract like any other.
Sole/exclusive versus general agency
A sole or exclusive agency means one agency handles your sale (though another agent can still introduce a buyer through a conjunctional arrangement). A general agency lets multiple agencies market your property at once. Ask your agent to explain which arrangement suits your situation and why.
What marketing actually includes
Professional photography, listing on the major property portals, social media promotion, and access to the agency’s existing buyer database, alongside open homes and private viewings. Ask your agent to explain why they’re recommending a particular mix for your specific property, not just what the standard package includes.
Selling a unit title property
If you’re selling a unit title property, you’re required to give buyers extra disclosure, a pre-contract disclosure statement before an agreement is signed, and a pre-settlement disclosure statement before settlement, covering body corporate rules, finances, and the long-term maintenance fund. Your agent and lawyer will guide you through exactly what’s required.