About Real Direct

• What kinds of services do Real Direct offer?
• What makes Real Direct a good agent?
• What are the differences between Real Direct and other real estate agents?
• Why are you launching now?
• How does Real Direct keep their fees so low?
• How does Real Direct make money?
• What are your commissions and fees?
• Does Real Direct plan to open local office branches?
• How do I contact Real Direct?
• What kind of properties does Real Direct sell?
• What areas does Real Direct currently serve?
• Where are you going to expand to next?

What kinds of services do Real Direct offer?

Real Direct provide real estate agent services that include researching, listing, marketing, negotiating and closing. This range of real estate services allows you simply get a better deal by integrating ALL your real estate services in one easy-to-use location. We also provide you with FREE research and tools designed to help you get a better deal.

What makes Real Direct a good agent?

Our philosophy is to help people get a better deal out of real estate by making the process easier, less costly, without the hassle. We aim to make our services as straight-forward and fair, so you can make the most from your money.

What are the main differences between Real Direct and other real estate agents?

The main feature differences are that other real estate agents – charge high commissions (average 2.4%), encourage sale by auction and encourage vendor (seller) paid advertising otherwise known as marketing fees. Real Direct charges low fee-for-service, no high commissions,100% client satisfaction guarantee, charter for responsible real estate, no unnecessary marketing fees, encourage free access for buyer to pest and building inspections.

Why are you launching now?

More than ever before, people are using online direct channels to buy goods and services. Whether it be buying a computer with Dell, selling on ebay, banking with ING Direct or trading with etrade. Therefore it is not surprising that real estate search has become the preferred way to browse for homes. In fact, 85% of home buyers say that the internet is the most useful media to buy a home (Nielsen NetRatings 2006). Given the convenience offered by online, it is only natural that real estate agents will increasingly engage with their clients direct.

How does Real Direct keep their fees so low?

We keep our fees low because we keep our costs low. Unlike most real estate agents we don’t have high cost main street offices to run and we are focused on delivering a result for clients rather than manning an expensive shop front.

What are your commissions and fees?

Real Direct do not charge high commissions but rather a fee-for-service. We do this so you save money and only pay for the services you use. In comparison to other real estate agents our total charges are amongst the lowest in the industry.Our DIY service starts at $1,400 and our Mobile Agent Advantage Service Fee is 1.1% of sale price fixed at the listing of the property, with a minimum fee of $5,500.

How does Real Direct make money?

Real Direct makes money today in two ways. When clients list their home using Real Direct for home-sellers, Real Direct earns a flat fee for the services we provide, for the complete support and service from listing to settlement. When you buy services from our partners Real Direct receives a 10% co-ordination fee for every transaction.

Does Real Direct plan to open local office branches?

No. Our strategy is to provide services over the internet or via the telephone or in person. This allows us to keep our costs down, which in turn allows us to offer real value to clients without the run around.We have a central client service and administration office while our Agents work from there own locations.

How do I contact Real Direct?

At Real Direct we’re always ready to help you. Please call us on 1300 348 033.
Our Central office is located : 1/26 William Street Brookvale
NSW 2100.
Postal Address; P O BOX 1373 Mona Vale NSW 1660.

What kind of properties does Real Direct sell?

Real Direct focuses on residential homes.

What areas does Real Direct currently serve?

Real Direct presently offers service in Sydney only.

Where are you going to expand to next?

Real Direct is planning to expand into Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne over the next 18 months.

Selling with Us

• What’s Real Direct for Sellers?
• Can Real Direct get me a better price on my home?
• What is the cost of selling with Real Direct and when do I pay?
• Why don’t you charge marketing fees?
• Are there other ways I can market my home through Real Direct besides using realestate.com.au?
• Will you do Public Onsite Auctions?
• What if my property doesn’t sell?
• What kind of properties does Real Direct sell?
• How do I list my home with Real Direct?
• How long will it take to list my home?
• Do you give pricing valuations?
• How does Real Direct handle offer?
• Can I make changes to my listing?
• Can I cancel my contract?
• How long must I stay with Real Direct?
• Why do you insist on providing pest and building inspection report?
• Do you handle open inspections?

What’s Real Direct for home-sellers?

Real Direct for home-sellers is an online service for selling homes. We provide all the services that conventional agents provide and more. We help you with research. When you are ready to list, Real Direct will help you customise the sale of your home according to your needs.We provide Two Selling Service Options. We provide all the selling tools and advertising support – including registering your home with property websites (including realestate.com.au), for sale sign, brochures, floor plan and video tours (optional). Once you start receiving offers, Real Direct will help you with all of the negotiations and paperwork from exchange of contracts through to settlement.

Can Real Direct get me a better price on my home?

Real Direct’s fee structure means you receive a higher return on the sale of your home as our fees are less than half conventional agent commissions.This gives us a negotiation advantage over other agents.

What is the cost of selling with Real Direct and when do I pay?

You pay upfront listing fees as follows: $999 fee when you list your home with the DIY service, and $1,500 for the Mobile Agent Advantage Service Package. All service option upgrades are payable up front.The balance of the 1.1% selling fee is payable on the settlement of the sale. If you take your home off the market, or if the 120-day online listing has expired , you do not pay the balance,you have the option to renew the listing or simply withdraw from sale.

Why don’t you charge marketing fees?

We market properties according to the area and target audience, using the latest research. Our aim is to market homes as cost effectively as possible.
We use the largest internet property search engine realestate.com.au, because of their effective reach nationally and internationally. Real Direct pay a monthly subscription to use these sites which are built in to your fixed fee. We do not advocate local newspapers advertising as this spend can be wasteful,however we will agree to print advertising if it is agreed to be neccessary to target a particular audience.

Are there other ways I can market my home through Real Direct besides using property search portals such as Realestate.com.au?

Real Direct recommends the marketing of homes through our website plus the major property search websites including realestate.com.au, because of their dominance in search. According to Roy Morgan Research, over 90% of Sydney’s home buyers use realestate.com.au as the most effective way of locating a new home and informing themselves on a particular market. If we agree that your home has appeal to that other 10% who do not use internet search, we will work with you to create a marketing campaign to reach those buyers.

Will you do On Site public Auctions?

Real Direct will conduct an On Site Auctions upon request. However we do prefer the private treaty system as an Auction conducted by the wrong agent can be disasterous for three reasons. Firstly, this method of sale is open to trickery and deception. Terry Ryder writing for the Herald Sun in 2003 wrote: “I cannot think of a greater consumer travesty than crunching families on the biggest deal of their lives under the pressure-cooker of an auction, where trickery, deception and secret agendas are the modus operandi of many agents.” (Terry Ryder, Herald Sun, 22 March 2003). Secondly, the overwhelming majority of home buyers do not trust the veracity of auction bids. And lastly, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2008 auctions represent only a small proportion (i.e. 12%) of home sales in Australia.

What if my property doesn’t sell?

There are various factors that may cause your home not to sell, such as price, condition of home, and access to the home. Real Direct guarantees that you will be satisfied with our service, but this does not obligate us to refund your money if the property doesn’t sell, only if you are unhappy with our service.(Refer to service Guarantee)

How does Real Direct handle offer?

Real Direct will receive all offers and review them with you over the telephone or by email. We will be the main point of contact on all offer negotiations. (DIY service this is an option)

How long will it take to list my home?

It can take 7 to 14 days depending on the number of services you wish to purchase.

Do you give pricing valuations?

No. We recommend the use of an independent professional valuer to determine the selling price for your home. That said, we will provide you with a comprehensive market analysis based on recent sales to make a more informed decision. If you so wish we can provide a market appraisal using the data.

Do you handle negotiations?

Yes. After you and your Real Direct Agent have reviewed your offer and helped formulate your strategy, Real Direct will go back to the buyer’s and negotiate to ensure you get the best possible price and terms that are most important to you.

How do I list my home with Real Direct?

You can list your home in 3 easy ways:

1. Online – Get started on our secure and easy Start your listing online application
2. By Phone – Call 1300 348 033 and we can help you complete your application over the phone.
3. In Person – Call us and request an agent visit your home ( Mobile Agent Advantage service only).Sydney metro Area.

Can I make changes to my listing?

Yes. Real Direct wants to have the most accurate and up-to-date information on your property. You can always contact your agent to update your listing.

Can I cancel my listing agreement?

Yes. Real Direct guarantees that you will be satisfied with your service.(Refer to satisfaction Guarantee in selling section).

How long must I stay with Real Direct?

Real Direct DIY service agreements are open agency agreements for a maximum 120 days.

All Real Direct Mobile Agent Advantage Agreements are exclusive sales agreements for a maximum 90 days.

When you sign a listing agreement you list with at a cost of $999 for DIY service, $1500 for Mobile Agent Advantage Service.Any Service Option Upgrades must also be paid upon ordering. If your house has not been sold you can take the home off the market and you don’t have to pay the remaining fee’s. After 120 days If you would like to keep the property it on the market it will cost an additional $500 listing fee.

Why do you encourage the seller to pay for pest and building inspection report?

For the buyer, a pest & building report is crucial to making an informed decision on a home. It can make all the difference when making an offer. At Real Direct we believe that all buyers should fully understand the nature of the home they’re buying and therefore should be provided with an independent report up font. Up front reports make buyers happy, because evaluation is easier and it cuts out a necessary expense.

We also appreciate the need for independent advice. That’s why we work with a professional pest and building company. The inspectors are committed to providing you with independent advice, ensuring your peace of mind.Please keep in mind that it is a optional decision for sellers to provide the pest & building report,as it is not a legal requirement.

Do you handle open inspections?

Yes your Mobile Agent will supervised open inspections for the Mobile Agent Advantage service we do up to six inspections. Our DIY Service clients choose to handle their home inspections themselves and save money. Above and beyond this we can handle your inspections for a fee. We charge $250 for each additional showing. For each inspection, the seller receives at the end of each showing a report on the number of inspections made and interest shown.

Whilst Real Direct offers agent supervised inspections we encourage our clients to conduct their own as they are the best placed to answer any questions potential buyers might have regarding the property.

Our Agents

• Will I meet my Real Direct agent?
• Are your real estate agents local?
• Are your agents experienced?
• What motivates your agents to give great service if they are not paid on commissions?

Will I meet my Real Direct agent?

Yes. A Real Direct agent will meet you at your home to list the property and discuss the sale. Real Direct agents also participate in Real Direct blogs where you can ask questions and get answers. (DIY service do not visit the property initially).

Are your real estate agents local?

Our aim is to employed local Agents in the areas we operate.( When you work with our agents, you get:

• Personal service: the same local team works with you every step of the way.
• Experience: every agent has at least 2 years work experience and has completed the ‘Real Direct Way’ training program
• Customer-driven: agents receive bonuses based on client satisfaction.

Are your agents experienced?

Real Direct hires experienced agents. All our agents are internet savvy, fair minded individuals with a drive to back up our satisfaction guarantee.

What motivates your agents to give great service if they are not paid high commissions?

Our real estate agents are remunerated on client satisfaction, based on feedback from sellers through short online surveys. Our agents have a stake in the company’s long term success and share the vision of changing the industry so that people get a better deal out of real estate

Buying with Us

• What’s Real Direct for Buyers?
• Can I talk directly to the pest and building inspector for a more thorough analysis?
• Do you guarantee the pest & building inspection report?

What’s Real Direct for home-buyers?

You find a home online see open times or organise an inspection, then submit an online form that allows you to draft make an offer. Your Real Direct agent will review your draft offer and follow up with you by telephone to formalise the offer and complete all needed paperwork. Once you’re ready, your Real Direct Agent will submit the offer to the seller. The offer is considered by the seller and the result will be managed by your Real Direct agent to ensure all parties are satisfied to complete the deal.

Can I talk directly to the pest and building inspector for a more thorough analysis?

Yes. The inspector will be available to talk directly to you about the report for a small fee, which will be determined by individual inspectors.

Do you guarantee the pest & building inspection report?

No. As Real Direct does not control the information that goes into the report we cannot guarantee it.