First Meeting With a Real Estate Agent NZ: What to Expect
TL;DR — What Happens at Your First Meeting
● Walk-through and fact-finding discussion (about 45–90 minutes): the agent tours your home, asks about upgrades/timing, and explains the process. You’re not obliged to sign anything at this stage. Before any agreement is signed, you must be given the REA Agency Agreement Guide and time to read it. Settled.govt.nz
● Written market appraisal + sale strategy: expect a written current market appraisal supported by comparable sales, and a recommended method of sale (auction, deadline/tender, or by negotiation) with reasons.
● Marketing plan & costs: you should see an itemised plan (what’s included vs optional upgrades) and be told which vendor-paid costs may still be due even if the property doesn’t sell.
● Fees, admin & GST: the agent must explain the commission formula and provide a dollar estimate based on their estimated sale price; ensure GST is included at the NZ standard rate (15%). Settled.govt.nz
● When commission is deducted: deposits are usually paid into the agency’s trust account; commission is commonly deducted from the deposit once the deal is unconditional (this is also referenced in the REA guide).
● Licence check (protect yourself): before you proceed, check the agent on the REA Public Register; it’s illegal to carry out real estate agency work without a licence. rea.govt.nz
Ready to shortlist for your first meeting with a real estate agent nz? Compare 2–3 top local agents for your property below.
Before the Meeting — What to Prepare
Show up organised so you get a precise appraisal and a realistic plan:
● Property facts: address, beds/baths, floor/land area, CV/rates notice, and any LIM/building info you already hold.
● Upgrades & maintenance: a simple list of improvements with dates (roof, kitchen, insulation, exterior).
● Timing & constraints: ideal list date, preferred settlement window, any dependencies (new build, school terms).
● Access notes: tenants, pets, alarm codes, keys—plus any areas the agent can’t photograph.
● Comparable context: any previous appraisals or quotes, recent sales you think are similar.
● Decision-makers: who will sign the agency agreement and who needs to be present at key milestones.
● Legal support: line up a conveyancer/lawyer now so you can get independent advice before you sign anything.
At the Table — The Agenda You Should Expect
Home Tour & Written Appraisal
A good agent will walk through your home and leave you with a written estimate of your sale price backed by recent comparable sales and current market conditions (not just a verbal number). They should also explain the options for selling (e.g., auction, tender/deadline, advertised price, or negotiation).
Sale Strategy (Auction vs Tender vs By Negotiation)
Expect a clear recommendation for the method of sale, plus pros/cons for your property and timing. For example, auctions and tenders can concentrate buyer competition; by negotiation or an advertised price may suit a different market context. If you want the definitions and differences, see the government consumer overview of methods of sale.
Marketing Plan & Budget
You should see an itemised marketing plan that states what the agency provides as part of its service and what you’ll pay for separately (e.g., premium listings, video, staging). The agent must explain in writing how your property will be marketed and how much this will cost, including which expenses are vendor-paid regardless of the outcome.
Fees, Admin & GST
Before you sign anything, the agent must explain the commission formula and give you an estimate in dollars based on their estimated sale price, and make clear when commission is payable. Remember that GST applies in New Zealand (standard rate 15%), so ensure figures are shown inclusive of GST for easy comparison. Use this moment in your first meeting with a real estate agent nz to confirm the fee summary in writing so there are no surprises later.
Run your numbers now: NZ agent fees, commission examples & GST explained
What Great Agents Bring to the First Meeting
At your first meeting with a real estate agent nz, expect substance—not sales talk. A top agent will arrive prepared to:
● Prove local expertise: 3–5 comparable sales, why they’re comparable, and what’s changed since those sales.
● Explain the strategy: a clear recommendation (auction, deadline/tender, or by negotiation) with risks, trade-offs, and how it matches your goals.
● Show a real plan: a dated marketing schedule (photos, copy, listings, open homes), which items are included vs vendor-paid, and how results will be measured.
● Disclose costs clearly: a one-page summary of commission structure, any admin fee, and GST—figures shown in dollars as well as percentages.
● Outline communication: who contacts you, how often, and what goes in each vendor report (buyer feedback, enquiries, offers).
● Walk through the paperwork: a plain-English explanation of the agency agreement (term, cancellation, protected period) so you know exactly what you’re signing.
● Confirm licence & accountability: licence details, complaint pathway, and how they manage deposits and trust accounting.
● Set a timeline: prep tasks, media dates, launch week, open homes, review checkpoints, and when price/strategy will be reassessed.
Find proven agents in your suburb — use My Top Agent to match with the best for your first meeting with a real estate agent NZ.
Questions to Ask (Decision Framework)
Use these to turn your first meeting with a real estate agent nz into a clear, apples-to-apples comparison:
● “Can you show 3–5 comparable sales and explain your price estimate?”
Look for similar locations, styles, land sizes, and conditions. Ask what’s changed in the market since those sales.
● “Which method of sale do you recommend for my home, and why?”
Get the pros/cons for auction, deadline/tender, or by negotiation, plus how they’ll pivot if interest is softer than expected.
● “What’s included in your fee, what’s extra, and can we cap marketing?”
Insist on a one-page summary with commission structure, admin fee, GST, and itemised marketing (which costs are payable regardless of outcome).
● “How will you target buyers and measure campaign success?”
Expect a buyer profile, channel plan (photos, copy, listings, open homes), and metrics (enquiries, inspections, second visits).
● “What’s your average days on market for homes like mine?”
Ask for the number, not just “fast”. Probe how they’ll adjust strategy if you’re not tracking to plan.
● “Who will I hear from, how often, and what will be in each report?”
Clarify who’s responsible for feedback calls and vendor reports; set a cadence now (e.g., twice-weekly updates).
● “Walk me through the agency agreement terms.”
Cover term length, cancellation, any protected period, how deposits and commissions are handled, and when fees are due.
● “What could go wrong—and what’s your contingency?”
Great agents pre-empt issues (building report surprises, low first-week interest) and have a plan B ready.
Red Flags to Watch For
Spotting issues early in your first meeting with a real estate agent nz can save you time and money later. Watch for:
● Price without proof: a headline figure with no comparable sales, no discussion of condition, land size, or buyer demand.
● Pressure to sign now: You should have time to read the agency agreement, ask questions, and get advice before committing.
● Vague or generic marketing: no dated schedule, no itemised inclusions, and no clarity on which costs are payable regardless of outcome.
● Fee fog: commission talked about only as a percentage, no dollar estimate at the suggested price, and no mention of admin fee or GST.
● Weak local knowledge: can’t name recent nearby sales or explain method-of-sale trade-offs for your property type.
● Loose accountability: unclear on who calls you, how often, and what goes in vendor reports; fuzzy plan for deposit handling and milestones.
If two or more of these appear, pause the process and keep comparison-shopping before you sign anything.
Fees & Marketing — Agree on These Before You Sign
Use your first meeting with a real estate agent nz to pin down costs in writing so there are no surprises later. Ask for a one-page summary that shows:
● Commission structure — tiered percentages or fixed fee, plus any admin fee. Make them show dollar figures at their estimated sale price.
● GST clarity — confirm totals inclusive of GST (15%) so you can compare quotes fairly.
● What’s included vs extra — photography, copywriting, standard listings, open homes, negotiation/contract handling vs optional vendor-paid upgrades like premium ads, video, staging.
● What’s payable regardless of outcome — which marketing costs you owe even if the property doesn’t sell.
● Payment timing — when commission is deducted (typically at settlement) and when vendor marketing is invoiced.
● Term & exit — agency term length, any cooling-off/cancellation rules, and the protected period after expiry.
● Approval workflow — who signs off on marketing spend, caps, and change requests during the campaign.
Run your numbers now: Real Estate Agent Fees NZ — How Much Commission Do You Pay
After the Meeting — Comparing Proposals
Turn notes from your first meeting with a real estate agent nz into a fair comparison. Ask each agent for a short written proposal that includes the same items so you can compare apples to apples.
Build a simple scorecard (rate 1–5):
● Strategy fit: does their recommended method of sale match your goals, timing and property type?
● Evidence quality: strength of comparable sales, buyer demand signals, and expected days on market.
● Marketing plan: dated schedule, itemised inclusions vs vendor-paid upgrades, and clear deliverables.
● Total cost (GST-inclusive): commission, any admin fee, and marketing (what’s payable regardless of outcome).
● Execution team: who’s doing the work (agent, associate, marketing coordinator), availability, and accountability.
● Communication: update cadence (calls/reports), decision checkpoints, and how they’ll escalate issues.
● Contingencies: how they’ll pivot if enquiry is soft (price guidance, method change, extra marketing).
Make the decision easier:
● Put proposals side-by-side using the same headings (Price Estimate, Strategy, Marketing, Fees, Timeline).
● Convert all figures to GST-inclusive dollars to avoid confusion.
● Clarify anything vague before you sign—no assumptions.
Get side-by-side proposals from top local agents — compare pricing, marketing, and commission at a glance.
Seller Checklist
Bring (or note) these so the meeting runs smoothly and the appraisal is accurate:
● Property basics: street address, legal description (if handy), beds/baths, floor area, land area, parking.
● Recent upgrades & repairs: what you did, when, and any warranties/receipts (roof, kitchen, insulation, heat pump, exterior).
● Known issues & disclosures: leaks, weathertightness, unconsented works, pending insurance claims (transparency avoids deal friction later).
● Documents you already have: rates notice/CV, LIM or building report, Code Compliance Certificate, Healthy Homes/Rental docs (if tenanted), chattels list.
● Timing & constraints: ideal list date, preferred settlement window, school terms/relocation dates, flexibility for open homes.
● Access & logistics: tenants/pets, keys, alarm codes, areas that can’t be photographed, weekday/weekend access limits.
● Comparables you’ve noticed: nearby recent sales you think are similar (the agent will add their own).
● Marketing preferences & budget cap: what you’re comfortable with (premium ads, staging, video) and any spend ceiling.
● Decision-makers & contacts: who signs the agency agreement, who approves marketing, best contact details.
● Your goals (for yourself): price floor, speed vs price trade-offs, any non-negotiables.
FAQs
Q: How long does the first meeting take?
A: Usually 45–90 minutes, depending on the size/complexity of your home and how deep you go on pricing, marketing and timing.
Q: Do I need to sign an agency agreement at the first meeting?
A: No. You can take the agreement away, read the REA’s Agency Agreement Guide, get advice, and compare proposals before deciding.
Q: Is the appraisal free—and should it be in writing?
A: Yes, appraisals are typically free. Ask for a written market appraisal that shows recent comparable sales and expected days on market.
Q: Which sales method should I choose?
A: It depends on your property, buyer demand and timing. Good agents will explain auction, deadline/tender and by-negotiation trade-offs and recommend one with clear reasons.
Q: What exactly is included in the fee?
A: Core selling services are usually covered. Extras (vendor-paid) often include premium listings, video, staging and some print. Get an itemised list and totals inclusive of GST (15%).
Q: When is commission paid?
A: Typically, on settlement, it is deducted from the sale proceeds via the agency’s trust account once conditions are met. Confirm this in the agreement.
Q: Do I pay marketing even if the property doesn’t sell?
A: Sometimes. Clarify which costs are payable regardless of outcome, and set a cap/approval process before the campaign starts.
Q: Can I negotiate the commission or admin fee?
A: Yes. Negotiate before signing, and only compare like-for-like proposals (same marketing scope, same inclusions).
Q: What should I check in the agency agreement?
A: Fee structure and GST, term length, cancellation/cooling-off, any protected period, and who approves marketing spend. Make sure all figures are shown in both dollars and percentages.
Q: How do I compare agents fairly after the meeting?
A: Request short written proposals using the same headings (Price Estimate, Strategy, Marketing, Fees, Timeline). Convert all numbers to GST-inclusive dollars and score each on evidence, plan and communication.
Ready to shortlist? Compare 2–3 top local agents for your property
Conclusion & Next Steps
Your first meeting should leave you confident about price, strategy, costs, and timelines—without pressure to sign on the spot. Bring the checklist, ask the hard questions, and make each agent put their plan (and fees, GST-inclusive) in writing. If anything is unclear from your first meeting with a real estate agent nz, book a short follow-up to resolve it before you commit.
Do this now (2–3 minutes):
Skim fees & commission examples (GST-inclusive)
When proposals arrive, compare like-for-like on strategy, evidence, total cost (incl. GST), and communication. Choose the team that’s most likely to maximise your net result—not just the lowest fee. Find your local agent.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information for New Zealand sellers and isn’t legal advice. Always read the agency agreement and seek independent advice before signing.
