It's a timely and important question, with hundreds of thousands of Australian homes expected to change hands in 2025. Approximately 723,300 properties were settled across Australia's five mainland states in 2024—up 7.8% on the previous year[i].

For many of us, a property is one of our most valuable assets, so you don't want to hand it over to just any old John, Di, or Ray. Sure, it's tempting to go with the agent quoting the highest sale price but remember: any agent can make big promises. What matters is their ability to deliver.

Here are six tips to help you make the right choice.

1. Do your homework

As with any big decision in property, research is everything, and it's essential to find agents with a strong track record in your suburb, town or region.

Look at performance indicators such as their auction clearance rates and days on market. These metrics offer insight into a sales agent's effectiveness.

Build a shortlist of active agents in your area. Examine how they market their listings, their recent sales, and the number of properties they manage.

Don't just focus on who's got the most listings or ads. Word of mouth from people you trust such as neighbours, friends and family members is far more telling.

2. Prioritise local knowledge

When meeting agents, ask how long they've worked in the area and assess their local knowledge. It's just as important to find someone who understands the neighbourhood as it is to find someone with experience selling your type of property.

Put their knowledge to the test—ask about recent sales, school zones, transport links, zoning regulations, and upcoming developments. The best agents will know your area inside out and bring that insight—and energy—to the sale of your home.

An agent who knows the local landscape as well as you demonstrates a real commitment to selling your property and can better connect with buyers on what matters most.

3. Ask for proof

At a listing presentation, don't be afraid to request evidence of an agent's past performance:

• Can they provide a case study where they exceeded a vendor's expectations?
• Do they have a sample vendor report showing how they communicate during a campaign?
• Can they supply testimonials—both glowing and constructive?
• What comparable sales have they handled recently?

Raine & Horne makes this vetting process easier through its exclusive DigiKitPlus platform, which creates professional, personalised digital listing presentations. Vendors receive tailored documents containing live local market data pulled from rh.com.au, CoreLogic and Google Maps in just one click.

4. See the agent in action

Before committing to an agent, it's best to see how they perform – starting with an appraisal of your property’s value.

Also, you can enquire about one of their listings or attend an open for inspection or auction. Are they proactive? Do they follow up? Do they effectively highlight the property's key features?

Here's what to consider:

• Have they engaged you in the buying process?
• Are they knowledgeable and enthusiastic?
• Do they create a sense of urgency or competition?
• How do they present the property and communicate with potential buyers?

These are the same behaviours they'll use to sell your home.

5. Look for strong communicators and negotiators

An agent should be able to clearly explain their selling strategy whether it's a private treaty sale or an auction—and how it helps you achieve the best result.

An experienced agent can create competition among buyers to push the price higher. Ask how they manage offers, handle negotiations, and keep you informed throughout the campaign.

6. Find out how they’ll market the property

The days of relying solely on newspaper classifieds are long gone. Your agent should be tech-savvy and know how to get your property seen by the right buyers.

Raine & Horne's Amplify platform is a standout for reaching as many buyers as possible. This AI-powered tool promotes your property across Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms—using behavioural data to match it with likely buyers.

It generates up to 72 targeted ad variations and evolves in real-time to improve performance. The result? Greater exposure, more buyer interest, and stronger results.

If you’re considering listing your property for sale this winter, contact your local Raine & Horne agent for an obligation-free appraisal.

[i] https://www.pexa-group.com/content-hub/property-insights-and-reports/property-insights-cy-24/