Plain words, no jargon
A listing agent sells your property - and answers for the price it gets.
Also called a selling agent or vendor's agent. They price it, market it, run the opens, field every buyer, and negotiate the final number. The difference between a good one and an average one is usually tens of thousands of dollars - in your suburb, with receipts to prove it.
Prices it right
Too high sits and goes stale; too low is your money gone. Comparable sales, not vibes
Markets it properly
Photography, copy, portals, socials - and the buyer database they already have
Runs the opens
Open homes, private showings, and every follow-up call afterwards
Negotiates the close
Auction or private treaty - squeezes the best terms, not just the best headline number
5-10%
typical price spread between agents on the same home - on $900k that's up to $90k
28 days
what a sharp agent averages on market while stale listings sit for months
100s
of buyers already in their database before your ad even runs
And honestly, when you don't: if you're selling to family or a known buyer at an agreed price, a conveyancer may be all you need.
Free for you, always - agents pay a flat subscription, never a cut of your deal.