The Trickery Agencies Use
#1 – Premium advertising will give your property better exposure.
Premium-sized ads are pushed because they promote the agent and their agency, whereas a smaller ad only promotes your property. Agents push these ads to enhance their own profiles. A bigger ad showcases the agent’s photo and their agency’s branding, and you foot the bill. Buyers don’t prioritize feature ads; they review all listings, big and small. Our independent research proves this beyond doubt.
#2 – We are experts; “We sold this property in just three days.”
This is deceptive. A property selling in three days might indicate a low selling price or sheer luck with the timing. “Sold in 3 days” isn’t a measure of an agent’s skill or expertise.
#3 – I’ll give you a free appraisal.
Claiming appraisals are “free” is misleading since no agency charges for them. Appraisals involve basic data collection readily available for all New Zealand properties. Offering a “free appraisal” is often a tactic to enter your home and begin their sales pitch.
#4 – We have people ready to buy!
This claim is untrue. If these “buyers” existed, why aren’t they purchasing other properties on the market? This is a tactic used to persuade sellers to sign up with an agency.
#5 – We (agents) are Expert Negotiators!
Your goal is to find the best buyer, not the buyer who will purchase your property because they can get it cheap. If you are negotiating with a buyer, they are not the best buyer. The best buyer will not want to negotiate for fear of losing your property to someone else. You don’t need to negotiate; you need to keep looking for the best buyer.
#6 – Open homes are the best way to show a property.
Open houses are often more convenient for agents, and they use them to gather potential buyer’s names so they can use lie # 7. It provides more advantages for agents than sellers. Security concerns arise from open homes since attendees are not currently security-verified.
#7 – We have an extensive database of buyers.
Agents often exaggerate the value of their buyer databases, which mainly consist of attendees from open homes. Many entries become outdated or inaccurate quickly.
#8 – We are Experts at Marketing Property, including using all the latest formats.
This is untrue, as agencies use standardized marketing for all properties. Their marketing aims to boost their brand and ego, often at your expense. Private Seller provides targeted marketing for your property in the same places agencies use but without the agency’s self-promotion.
#9 – We work better because we are a team.
You only need one person to sell a property; the need for a “team” is overstated. Multiple people involved can lead to communication gaps and errors. Agencies claim teamwork to stand out or justify their high commissions, but it’s not necessary and offers no actual benefit to a seller.
#10 – We can get you a higher price.
Agents’ ability to secure a higher price is not guaranteed. Sellers control pricing, and agents don’t consistently achieve higher sale prices.
#11 – We are local experts.
Agents label themselves as local experts, but in reality, they’re tied to a specific area due to franchise licensing agreements. Being local doesn’t provide any significant benefit since buyers come from every location.
#12 – Auctions are the best way to sell a property.
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Overseas, auctions are only ever used for distressed sales like bank foreclosures. In New Zealand and Australia, many agencies use them to sell every property, which is wrong. There are many buyers that make up a market; some have properties to sell, and some need mortgages or longer settlement times, to name a few. No one would knowingly want to restrict any buyer when selling.
#13 – I’ll get you a higher price.
Agents may promise a higher price during interviews, but they might later lower your price expectations when they have locked you into a contract. At Private Seller, you control pricing with honest advice.
#14 – See my excellent reviews.
Agent reviews can be biased, showing only positive feedback. Good reviews don’t necessarily indicate superior skills.
#15 – Agencies that claim to offer free marketing packages.
There’s no genuinely free marketing from agencies; these costs are often hidden in their fees. We challenge agencies to prove their additional value.
#16 – Agency and Agent Awards.
Awards are in-house creations and don’t necessarily reflect excellence or skill.
#17 – Selling a property is a very stressful time.
Selling a property doesn’t need to be stressful. Agents exaggerate stress to justify their commissions. The real stress often comes from agent communication or pressure to lower the asking price.
#18- Coming Soon