Why Choosing the Wrong Agent Can Be a Disaster

Choose an agent who can explain the plan—not merely promise the price you want to hear.

When appointing someone to sell or let your Hong Kong apartment, recommend comparing evidence, process and contractual terms together. A persuasive presentation is useful; a clear, accountable service proposal is better.

Use these questions to structure your interviews, whether you own a low-rise apartment or a high-rise unit.

1. “Can I verify your licence?”

Check the individual handling your property and the agency business through the Estate Agents Authority’s licence records. Ask who will be responsible for your instructions, negotiations and updates.

The EAA advises owners to appoint licensed estate agents and explains how to verify their status. Do this before handing over keys, documents or an appointment agreement. (smart.eaa.org.hk)

Recommend recording your main contact and escalation contact so responsibility remains clear if staff change during the campaign.

2. “What evidence supports your suggested price?”

Request relevant sales or lettings, with dates and explanations of comparability. Ask the agent to distinguish an assessed value from a proposed asking strategy.

Then ask: “What would make you revise that recommendation?” An evidence-led approach is consistent with the EAA’s description of valuation as market-data collection, analysis and judgement.

Compare how different agents explain the evidence. Do not automatically reward the highest estimate or reject the most carefully qualified one.

3. “What exactly will you do?”

Recommend asking for a written plan covering photography, descriptions, advertising channels, viewing arrangements and enquiry handling.

For a low-rise apartment, ask how the campaign will explain layout, access and verified outdoor-space entitlements. For a high-rise unit, ask how the listing will distinguish your apartment from others in the same tower.

Agree what you must prepare, what the agency will provide and whether any additional marketing charges require approval. Avoid assuming that a verbal promise is part of the appointment.

4. “Who are you representing?”

The agency agreement should identify single, dual or potentially dual agency. In dual agency, the agent represents both sides; the prescribed forms include requirements concerning disclosure of the other party’s commission.

Ask how offers, negotiation instructions and confidential information will be handled. Your objective is transparency about the relationship—not an assumption that every transaction uses the same representation model.

5. “What am I agreeing to pay—and for how long?”

For residential owners, Form 3 concerns selling appointments and Form 5 concerns letting appointments. Review the commission, payment trigger, appointment dates, exclusivity and additional terms before signing.

Commission is agreed between client and agent. Exclusivity deserves particular attention: selling through another agent during an exclusive appointment can create liability to both agents. Obtain an explanation and legal advice if the wording is unclear.

Recommend keeping the signed agreement and confirming how instructions may be changed or the appointment brought to an end.

6. “How will you keep me informed?”

Agree a reporting schedule covering enquiries, viewings, feedback and offers. EAA guidance says agents must notify owners of offers as soon as practicable.

Ask for facts you can act on, not simply “the market is quiet.”

Interviewing agents? Ask Aria Property for a written proposal covering pricing evidence, marketing, reporting and appointment terms. Compare it before committing.

Simple agent-selection checklist

Verify individual and agency licences.

Request relevant pricing evidence.

Obtain a written marketing plan.

Understand the representation arrangement.

Check commission, dates and exclusivity.

Agree reporting and offer-handling procedures.