b'Barfoot & Thompsons training manager Teresa Reynolds says a good way to choose akey questionssalesperson if you dont already have a preferred agent is to do a shortlist of three then go to the open homes they are running. This gives you the advantage of seeing them at work and comparing them to other agents in the area. It also allows you to see how the buyers thatBe prepared with a list of questions to ask come through your property will be treated when the agent is selling your home.salespeople who are competing to sellShe cautions against selecting an agent based on their price opinion of your home. Ultimatelyyour home. its the buyer who decides what they are prepared to pay for your home, not the agent. What do you personally offer that will Dont get carried away with agents who promise discounts and commission cuts. Your mosthelp me get the best price for my home?valuable tool in the sale of your home is an expert negotiator and marketer. What is your point of difference?Even though you employ one agent to sell your home, be aware that you are often reliant What is your companys market share in on the other salespeople in their company to promote your property. Choose an agent whothis area?has the backing of an established company. Who do you think will buy Salespeople should be able to provide you with material that educates you on the market,my property? providing statistics about comparable properties in your area, the sales process and how the real estate company operates. How do you propose to achieve a premium price for A good agent will tell you how to present your home so its not just looking its best, but it smellsmy property?and feels good. Megan Jaffe says its a competitive market, so you have to put your best foot forward. Presentation makes a big difference. Create a homeliness people can relate to. What tools do you have to ensure every potential viewer looks at my property? Harcourts chief executive Bryan Thomson says the appraisal process is a chance for you to see how well the salespeople communicate and to gauge their attitude and skill in response toCan your company give my property the your queries. You must trust your salesperson to achieve a great result, he says. If you dontexposure it deserves on the internet? have that confidence, move on. He believes todays agents should be very comfortable withHow many websites can a potentialtechnology and recognise that relatively new marketing avenues, such as the internet, arebuyer view my property on?critical because of the wide reach they give.Which systems will you use to market Once you have selected an agent to represent your home, they should devise a writtenand sell my property?marketing plan allocating promotional budgets you feel comfortable with. The plan should be reviewed weekly, says Bryan, and if its not working, analyse what went wrong then change it. Throughout the sales process, expect honest feedback. If the price is too high, you should be able to discuss that too. You should have a relationship where you can expect feedback,You have to package good or bad. and price the product Rosie Harvey of Harveys, Taupo, says with their high-profile campaigns, auctions and tenders remove any barrier around the price and attract more potential buyers to the property. Oncecorrectly and market buyers come out of the woodwork, then the agent can garner feedback from them on whatit well. This is not a they believe the property is worth. The set sales date of auctions and tenders also gives buyers a timeframe in which to make decisions.market for short cuts.Megan Jaffe says its important you choose an agent who continues to build their database. In this market, the agents who are selling are extremely well-organised. Theyre perfecting their processes, systems, documentation and improving their vendor communications.Should things go wrong between you and your salesperson, go to the agency licensee, whoResenewill then follow up with the salesperson. Most problems relate to a lack of communication,EarlybirdReseneor the salesperson hasnt done their job properly. At the end of each meeting with a vendor, IPoprockalways ask, is there anything I could have done to serve you better?words Vicki Holderpicture iStock 85'