What Happens When You Hire a Vendor Advocate? A Step-by-Step Guide
Hiring a vendor advocate involves a structured, cost-free process (paid out of the selling agent’s commission) where an independent expert manages your property sale, working exclusively for the seller to ensure their interests are protected at every stage.
Of course, there will be an initial discussion prior to engagement to ensure a vendor understands the process and the benefits, and that the vendor advocate understands your property, goals, and timeframe.
After that, here’s what typically happens when you engage a Vendor AdvocateInitial Home Walk-through
We visit your property for a walk-through to assess your home. With your permission, we will take photos to compile a checklist report of what we believe your property requires to maximise its sale – repairs, maintenance, presentation recommendations, styling tips - tailored to your property and needs.
We discuss the current market, target market information, guidance on pricing, timing, local agents, what outcome you hope to achieve, and steps forward.
This conversation helps shape the sales strategy and ensures that everyone involved understands the expectations from the beginning.
Home Checklist Report
We carefully review the photographs in detail to create a comprehensive checklist of prioritised potential improvements. This checklist considers all possible opportunities to enhance the presentation of the property, although doesn’t mean that every item will necessarily be required.
We send the checklist report to you for your review where you can decide which tasks you wish to undertake, which you can do yourself, and which you would like us to obtain quotes for before you make a decision. If you have any questions about the items listed in the report, we will walk you through them so you have all the information you need to make the decisions.
Not every home requires significant investment before going to market. In many cases, small and strategic changes can make a meaningful difference, and simple improvements can increase buyer interest, enhance the perceived value of the property, and help your home stand out in a competitive market.
Trade Quotes
For your convenience, we typically arrange a two-hour window at your home where relevant trades can attend to assess the property and prepare their quotes. You don’t need to be present during this time; we’ll be there to guide each trade through the home and provide them with clear instructions on the work being considered.
Once compiled, we’ll email the information to you and organise a call to review everything step by step. At this stage, we may also involve the selected real estate agent to ensure any work being considered will genuinely contribute to the saleability and value of your home.
There are two important points to keep in mind during this process. First, many homeowners feel they already know what their property needs before going to market. When a home is viewed through fresh eyes, it is often seen quite differently. A Vendor Advocate looks at the property from the perspective of the target buyer, revealing opportunities or considerations that may not be immediately obvious to the homeowner.
Secondly, while some agents may offer contacts who can assist with preparing a property for sale, the level of their involvement is quite different. As Vendor Advocates, we take a hands-on approach, helping you with every decision along the way. Our experience in real estate and design, and working on all types of properties every day, ensures we understand what resonates with buyers and what ultimately helps homes sell. Most importantly, our focus remains entirely on you and your property, ensuring every recommendation is made with your best outcome in mind.
Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent
This will be one of the most valuable roles of a Vendor Advocate. We’ll:
Research agents and their recent results
Assess their experience with properties similar to yours
Compare commission structures and marketing approaches
Shortlist the strongest agents for you to meet
Attend real estate meetings with you
Agents all sound great in a listing; they’re trained to be good at it. We ensure there’s paperwork to back up what you are being told. We don’t want anyone buying your listing. And while we’re there to assist you through this process, every decision is ultimately made by you. No matter who you decide to work with, we’ll be there to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Pricing Strategy and Method of Sale
Your Vendor Advocate will work with you and the real estate agent to determine the most effective pricing strategy and method of sale. This may involve:
Reviewing comparable recent sales
Assessing buyer demand in your area
Advising whether auction, private treaty or off market may achieve the best outcome
Setting realistic price expectations
Correct pricing and positioning in the market are critical to attracting strong buyer interest.
Preparing Your Property for Sale
Preparing and presenting your home for sale is one of the most important steps in achieving the best result. By this stage, we may have already begun the process with decluttering, attending to repairs and maintenance, and addressing any meaningful improvements.
A Vendor Advocate can coordinate and mobilise trades efficiently and work within demanding timeframes using our strong relationships with a network of reliable, reasonably priced, trustworthy tradespeople and home stylists who understand the standards required for preparing a property for sale and who are well suited to different types of homes and buyer demographics.
Property styling is typically the final step before professional photography and a crucial stage of the preparation process leading to strong, compelling photography that are commonly what first capture buyers’ attention. This encourages more people to attend open homes and inspections, helping to generate the competition – crucial during those first weeks of a sales campaign.
Managing the Sales Campaign
A Vendor Advocate plays an important role in overseeing the marketing and sales campaign to ensure your property is presented to the market in the best possible way. We review marketing materials and photography, and ensure the overall campaign strategy is being executed effectively, providing an additional layer of expert guidance and quality control throughout the process.
Once on the market, your Vendor Advocate monitors the campaign closely. They will:
Assist with the preparation and set-up of open homes if required
Review feedback from open homes and buyer inspections
Ensure the agent is implementing the agreed marketing strategy effectively and recommend adjustments where necessary
Provide independent advice on buyer interest and market response
Keep you informed throughout the campaign, so you can make timely and well-informed decisions when offers begin to emerge
A successful sales campaign involves many moving parts, and having a Vendor Advocate involved ensures there is a dedicated professional focused solely on your interests.
Negotiation and Offers
When buyers begin making offers, your Vendor Advocate plays an important role in guiding you through the negotiation process with clarity and confidence. Their experience and independence ensure that every offer is carefully considered and that you are fully informed before making any decisions. They assist by:
Analysing offers and their conditions, and liaising with your conveyancer or solicitor where required
Advising on negotiation strategies to help strengthen your position
Working alongside the agent to maximise buyer competition and create the best possible outcome
Helping you make informed, confident decisions at each stage of the process
This stage of the campaign can have a significant impact on the final sale result. Having an independent professional supporting you through what can be a stressful and emotional process provides reassurance, clarity, and guidance when it matters most.
Support Through to Settlement
Even once a buyer has been secured, your Vendor Advocate will continue to support you through the final stages of the process to ensure everything progresses smoothly. They assist by:
Ensuring clear and consistent communication between all parties involved, including the agent, solicitor/conveyancer, and the buyer
Guiding you through the contract and settlement process, helping you understand each step and what to expect next
Your Vendor Advocate remains by your side right through to the completion of the sale, including the final inspection and settlement, right up to the moment the keys are handed over to the new owners. Throughout this stage, they will keep you informed of the next steps and ensure that the process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.