NAVIGATING ALL THE REAL ESTATE AGENT WEBSITES
If you are looking for real estate agent websites, chances are you're looking to sell your property and wondering how much commission you will have to pay.
It's important to be aware that when trying to choose a real estate agent, they don't all fit all properties or people so it's hard to tell from a list of agents on a website which one is really right for you.
With 900 real estate companies and 16,000 real estate agents in New Zealand, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to navigate your way around. It can be overwhelming and time consuming.
Added to that is an aggressive online environment with real estate companies, individual agents and even computerised 'software' (yes, software - more about that later!) all vying for your business.
In regard to real estate agent websites, it's important to know whether what you think you are being offered is genuinely what you are getting.
When you use Agent Finder NZ's personalised vetting service, you can be assured the short list of real estate agents you get will be suited to your property type and location and your marketing will be done on the best real estate property listing websites.
NB: Most real estate agents now sell across numerous suburbs in places like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch which means they have access to a wider network of buyers.
Agent Finder NZ has been vetting real estate agents for a decade. Find out more about what we do - it's a free service for property sellers.
SURPRISE FINDINGS ON REAL ESTATE AGENT WEBSITES
We conducted research on what real estate agent websites were available in New Zealand and discovered the following potential pitfalls:
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Fourteen of the websites we found allowed agents to log in, self-promote and receive automated referrals (details about people like you) based on what the agent wrote about themselves. Agent Finder NZ does not have an agent log in such as this. We find the best real estate agents through our personal networks.
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In some cases, numerous agents have access to your contact details before you know anything about them.
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Three websites were just automated software systems but it wasn't evident that was the case.
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Only five websites provided information about who was behind the business.
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One website was a moving company.
There are numerous other automated websites offering 'free valuations' which are often real estate agents appearing to be a valuation service.
NB: None of our research included real estate websites that list properties for sale, only those listing agents.
In our opinion, it is very important for you to be aware of who is behind the service you are engaging to find a real estate agent.
Real estate agent screening is vital to ensure you don't end up down the wrong path.
Learn about the best real estate agents for different property types.
BEWARE OF AUTOMATED REAL ESTATE AGENT WEBSITES
It is now common across all industries for credible websites to have an About Us page that provides the legal company name, information about who heads the company, some organisational history, vision, goals or similar.
If these things are missing from a site, that is an indicator you may not be dealing with a credible service. The quality of the contact details should help you decided whether you are putting what is probably your biggest asset in the hands of a nobody or a somebody.
The value of 'no pressure' and integrity of service cannot be underestimated.
Download your free copy of The Process Of Selling A House Made Easy - no login required.
In real estate, the losses and gains can be life changing. Putting your home worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the hands of just any real estate agent website could be a gamble.
Of course there are websites that sell goods globally for clothing or electronic items without About Us or other details, but these are not items worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, like your home.
We can advise you how to get started or download your Sell Smarter Kit in the box to the right (below on mobile).
Call Agent Finder NZ on 0800 789 532 or email us today.
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Article updated April 27, 2021 | Trish Willis
