Selling a property in New Farm is a big financial decision, and the agent you choose has a real effect on the result. Homes here are tightly held, buyers are well informed and every property is different. A Queenslander on a quiet street, a walk-up unit and a riverfront apartment all need a different campaign.
This guide sets out the questions worth asking before you sign with an agent, the red flags to watch for, and how to read an appraisal properly.
Why the agent matters more in New Farm
In a suburb with lots of similar new homes, buyers can compare properties easily and price is set mostly by the market. New Farm is not like that. Character, street position, renovation quality, river or park proximity and building reputation all affect value, and they are hard to compare.
That means the agent’s job is not just to list your property. It is to understand exactly what makes it valuable, find the buyers who will pay for that, and negotiate well when they do.
Ten questions to ask any agent
1. What have you sold in New Farm recently?
Ask for specific addresses, prices and dates, ideally of properties similar to yours. Local results matter more than a large overall sales tally.
2. Which recent sales support your price estimate?
A good appraisal is built on comparable sales, not on what you want to hear. Ask the agent to walk you through the evidence.
3. Who do you think will buy my property?
A family, a downsizer, an investor or a first home buyer? The answer should shape the marketing, the price strategy and the method of sale.
4. What method of sale do you recommend, and why?
Auction, private treaty or expressions of interest each suit different properties and markets. The agent should explain why one suits your property now.
5. What does the marketing plan include, and what does it cost?
Ask for a written campaign plan: photography, floor plan, copywriting, online listings, signage and any print or social media, with every cost listed.
6. How many active buyers do you have looking in New Farm?
An agent with a strong local database can contact likely buyers before the property even hits the portals.
7. Who will actually run my campaign?
Will the person you meet today run the open homes, take buyer calls and negotiate offers, or will it be handed to someone else?
8. How will you keep me informed?
Expect regular feedback after every open home and a weekly report on enquiry, inspections and buyer comments.
9. What is your commission and what is included?
Ask for the commission and all other costs in writing. Compare the full cost and the service, not just the percentage.
10. Can I speak to some of your recent sellers?
A confident agent will happily put you in touch with past clients or point you to genuine reviews.
Red flags to watch for
- The highest price with no evidence. Some agents quote a high figure to win the listing, then spend the campaign lowering your expectations. Ask how they arrived at the number.
- Pressure to sign immediately. A good agent is happy for you to take time and compare.
- Vague marketing costs. If the costs are not written down, you cannot compare them.
- Little local experience. Selling in New Farm is different from selling in the outer suburbs. Look for recent, local results.
- No clear plan for your property. Generic answers suggest a generic campaign.
How to read an appraisal
An appraisal should tell you more than a number. Look for:
- Comparable sales, with addresses, dates and an explanation of how each compares with your property.
- Current competition: what else is for sale that buyers will compare yours with.
- A recommended price strategy and method of sale.
- Suggestions on presentation, repairs or styling that could lift the result.
If two agents give you very different prices, ask each to explain the gap using the same comparable sales.
Preparing to meet agents
Before you invite agents through, gather the details buyers will ask about: renovations and when they were done, approvals, council rates, body corporate details for units, and any building reports you already have. Being organised helps you get a more accurate appraisal and a faster campaign.
How Grow Property works
Grow Property has been selling property in New Farm, Newstead, Teneriffe and Brisbane’s inner suburbs since 2005. When we appraise a property, we show you the comparable sales behind our price, tell you who we think your buyer is, and give you a written campaign plan with every cost listed. The agent you meet is the agent who runs your campaign.
Book a no obligation appraisal, see what we have recently sold or meet the team. For a broader view of the suburb, read our New Farm real estate market guide.
Related reading: Newstead Real Estate Guide | Property Management in New Farm
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the best real estate agent in New Farm?
Compare recent local sales, the evidence behind each agent’s price estimate, their marketing plan and full costs, and who will actually run your campaign. Speak to past sellers where you can.
How many agents should I talk to before selling?
Most sellers speak to two or three. That is usually enough to compare appraisals, marketing plans and fees without slowing your sale.
Should I choose the agent with the highest appraisal?
Not on that alone. Ask each agent to show the comparable sales behind their figure. An unrealistic price can lead to a long campaign and a lower final result.
What should a real estate appraisal include?
Comparable recent sales, current competing listings, a recommended price strategy and method of sale, and advice on preparing the property.