How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Perth

Choose a Perth real estate agent on evidence: a current WA licence or registration, recent sales close to your property, a price estimate backed by comparable sales, and fees and marketing costs written down before you sign. Interview at least two or three agents, and judge them on what they can prove rather than the highest price they quote.

This guide walks through the checks that matter in Western Australia and the questions that separate a good listing presentation from a good agent.

How do I check that a real estate agent is licensed in WA?

In WA, the person selling your property must be a licensed real estate agent, or a registered sales representative employed and authorised by a licensed agent (Consumer Protection WA). You can search any agent or agency by name or number on the WA online licence search. A sales representative registration starts with “RR” and an agent’s licence with “RA”.

Every Boutique Realty Perth agent’s WA registration is listed on their profile page, and our agency licence, RA 81552, is shown on our agency information page.

What should I look for in a real estate agent?

• Local, recent results: sales in your suburb and price range in the last 12 months, not career totals.
• Price evidence: a written estimate supported by comparable sales you can check yourself.
• A campaign plan: who the likely buyers are and how each marketing dollar reaches them.
• Negotiation approach: how they handle multiple offers, conditional offers and price feedback.
• Verified reviews: recent reviews on independent platforms such as realestate.com.au and RateMyAgent.
• Communication: who you will deal with day to day, and how often you will hear from them.

What questions should I ask before choosing an agent?

• Which comparable sales support your price estimate, and why did you exclude the others?
• How many properties like mine have you sold nearby in the last year, and what did they sell for against the first asking price?
• What is your commission as a dollar figure at the expected price, and does it include GST?
• What is the maximum marketing budget, and what does each item achieve?
• How long is the exclusive agency period, and what happens if I want to end it?
• Who will conduct inspections and negotiate with buyers: you, or someone else?

Why is the highest price estimate not always the best?

A high estimate wins listings, but it can cost sellers money. Homes that launch above the market collect fewer enquiries, sit longer and usually sell after price reductions. In WA an agent must not mislead you about the estimated selling price of your property (Consumer Protection WA), so ask every agent to show the sales evidence behind their number and compare the evidence, not the headline figure.

What is in the agency agreement I sign?

Appointing an agent means signing a written authority, which is a legally binding contract. Consumer Protection WA recommends checking the length of any exclusive period, the maximum marketing charges and other costs, the commission, any offering fees, and what you pay if the property does not sell (Consumer Protection WA). Any change after signing must be made in writing and initialled by both parties.

How do I compare agent fees fairly?

Commission is negotiable in WA and can be a percentage, a fixed fee or both (Consumer Protection WA). Put every quote on the same basis: commission in dollars at the same expected price, marketing as a capped total, and any extra charges listed. Our guide to the cost of selling a house in Perth shows typical commission rates and what they mean in dollars.

Is REIWA membership important?

Membership of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia is voluntary. It is not a licence, but members commit to REIWA’s code of conduct and training. You can browse member agents on REIWA’s agent finder, which also shows suburb sales activity.

What are the warning signs of the wrong agent?

• A price estimate well above every other agent, with no sales to support it.
• Pressure to sign a long exclusive period on the spot.
• Vague answers about marketing costs or who pays if the home does not sell.
• No recent sales in your area or price range.
• Reluctance to put the commission in writing as a dollar amount.

When you are ready to compare, request a free appraisal and ask us every question on this page.

Frequently asked questions

How many agents should I interview before selling?

Two or three is usually enough to compare price evidence, fees and marketing plans side by side.

How do I know if a real estate agent is registered in WA?

Search their name or number on the WA online licence search run by the state government. Sales representatives hold an RR registration and agents an RA licence.

Should I choose the agent with the lowest commission?

Not on fee alone. A lower rate is worth less than a better sale price, so compare the evidence behind each price estimate and what each fee includes.

Can I change agents if I am unhappy?

Check the end date and termination terms of your written authority. Changes must be made in writing, so read the agreement before you sign it.