How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Brisbane's Inner West in 2026
Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make in a property transaction, and it's often done too quickly and without enough scrutiny. I've seen sellers make this choice based on whoever quoted the highest price, or whoever seemed the most likeable at the appraisal, or whoever knocked on their door first. These aren't bad starting points but they're not sufficient on their own. Here's what I think actually matters, and what I'd be looking for if I were in your position.
Local Knowledge Is Not a Marketing Phrase
When an agent tells you they know your suburb, ask them to prove it. How many properties have they sold there in the last 12 months? Which streets do they know best and why? What's their read on the current buyer pool and where those buyers are coming from? Who are the comparable properties you should be benchmarked against? An agent with genuine local knowledge will answer these questions specifically and confidently. An agent who doesn't will give you generalities. The difference in outcome for you as a seller can be substantial.
The Price Quoting Trap
One of the oldest tricks in real estate is quoting a seller a high price at the appraisal to win the listing, then managing their expectations downward once they're committed. This is called "buying the listing" and it's unfortunately common. The way to protect yourself is to ask every agent you interview to walk you through their comparable sales methodology. Ask them to show you which properties they've used to reach their estimate and why those properties are relevant to yours. A competent, ethical agent will do this transparently. One who can't or won't is worth being cautious about.
Marketing Capability Matters
In 2026, the way your property is presented online and across social media channels significantly affects how many buyers see it and how seriously they engage with it. Professional photography, compelling copywriting, video content, and a digital distribution strategy are all part of what you're paying your agent to deliver. Ask to see examples of their recent campaigns and judge the quality for yourself.
Communication Is a Basic Right
You should expect your agent to proactively update you throughout your campaign, not just when you chase them. Ask prospective agents how often they communicate, in what format, and what their process is for feeding back buyer responses and adjusting strategy. An agent who is vague about this before the listing is unlikely to be different once they have it.
The Relationship Factor
This is the one that's hardest to quantify but genuinely matters. Selling your home is a significant event and it can be stressful. Working with an agent you trust, who is straight with you, and who has genuine empathy for what you're going through makes the process better. Don't underestimate how much the quality of that working relationship affects your experience and your outcome.
Interviewing agents for your Inner West property in 2026? I'd welcome the opportunity to be part of that conversation. I'll give you an honest, evidence-based appraisal, show you exactly how we'd market your property, and give you a straight answer on every question you want to ask. Contact Felicity Austin at Glynis Austin Properties on 0478 99 88 11 to arrange a no-obligation appraisal.