Seven tips for sellers - and why hiding info can land you in trouble
For sellers, hiring a real estate agent can be a challenge. Selling a property isn’t an everyday event; most Kiwis will likely come into contact with a real estate agent once every 10 or 20 years. The right one, though, can often mean the difference between a life-changing sale and a stressful ordeal.
The Real Estate Authority (REA) has provided OneRoof with its top tips for establishing and maintaining a successful working relationship with a real estate agent when you’re selling:
1. Select a real estate agent who is right for you
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Step one is choosing an agent. Among your key considerations should be the agent’s level of knowledge of your suburb and their experience selling your type of property. Meet with a few different agents so you have some options. How you relate to each other personally is important. You’ll want them to listen and demonstrate they understand what’s important to you with your sale. Ask them about their recommendations for advertising and marketing your home, and consider requesting testimonials or references from people whose property they’ve recently sold.
We also recommend you look them up on REA’s public register of all licensed real estate professionals. This is a great way to check they have a current licence and see if they’ve had any formal complaints upheld against them in the last three years.
2. Do your homework
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Your agent works on your behalf, but as the seller, you are the ultimate decision-maker. When you’re selling your home, do your homework. Selling a property involves important formal documentation and legal agreements. You will want to be familiar with agency agreements, Land Information Memoranda (LIMs), records of title, building inspection reports, and other important documentation. (Check out the REA’s consumer information website, Settled.govt.nz, for more information.)
3. Ask your real estate agent plenty of questions
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Your real estate agent is there to guide you through the sales process and should explain anything unfamiliar or confusing. Don’t be shy - ask for explanations, information, or clarifications. Make the most of your agent’s technical expertise. When it comes to something as important as selling your property, you don’t want to encounter an issue or point of uncertainty you could have avoided if you’d only asked about it sooner.
For example, when an agent recommends a method of sale for your property (tender, auction, by negotiation, deadline sale), you should ask them to explain the benefits and downsides of each one. After an open home, you could ask for feedback from people who came through, and whether there are any changes they’d recommend (such as staging) before the next one.
4. Be upfront and honest about your property
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Don’t be tempted to withhold information about your property from your agent because you think it might impact the sale price. If you try to hide a physical defect or a legal issue, it will more than likely be discovered in a pre-purchase inspection and cost you the sale. If it’s discovered after the sale is complete, you could be facing serious legal issues. Make sure you’re transparent with your agent to ensure they know the property as well as you do.
5. Keep good records to avoid any misunderstandings
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Make sure you keep copies of all written correspondence and paperwork involved in your sale. When discussing actions your agent will take on your behalf, such as in relation to marketing or offer negotiations, it’s valuable to confirm them in writing via a follow-up email. This ensures you are all on the same page about specifics. Be sure to save your records securely. We sometimes receive complaints at REA where better written records may have enabled a more satisfactory resolution.
6. Seek legal advice
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The REA requires that agents ask their clients to seek legal advice before signing any contracts. They should give you the REA Guide to Agency Agreements and Guide to the Sale and Purchase agreement. You can also find those on REA.govt.nz. You should understand the purpose of the documents involved in the sales process, but when it comes to the particulars of your specific agreements and reports, property lawyers and conveyancers are the experts. They can review all the essential paperwork every step of the way and advise you on the details.
7. Raise any concerns promptly and professionally
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If at any stage you have concerns about how your sale is being managed by your real estate agent, raise these early and professionally. All agencies are required to have internal complaints procedures available to clients and customers. If you have a serious concern or are unsatisfied with how your complaint was managed, ask to speak to the agency manager. If they are unable to resolve the matter, contact REA to find out how we may be able to help.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.6% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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3% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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✔ Nearby shops and supermarkets
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If you're looking for comfort, privacy, and a peaceful lifestyle — this could be your perfect new home 💛
📍 Location: Lynfield, Auckland
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