Comparing three very different agent proposals for a Marrakech townhouse

C

creek.bright

Real estate agent
Verified Pro
I want to appoint the agent who will handle the sale properly, not simply accept the lowest percentage. The problem is that the three Marrakech proposals describe very different packages for my townhouse, so the headline fees tell me little.

One appears to cover professional photos, viewings, offers and negotiation; the others divide some of those tasks into extras. I plan to ask each firm for a complete cost illustration based on the same sale scenario. I also want the name of the person who would answer enquiries and manage the file after an agreement, rather than assuming it will be whoever presented the proposal.

What should I request as evidence of value: comparable completed sales, buyer screening, response times, the exact photography package, or a clear plan if the first buyer pulls out? I also need to confirm what sum the fee is based on and when it becomes payable.
 
Put all three into one table before discussing percentages. Ask each agent what the fee is calculated on, when it becomes payable, and every item that could be charged separately. Then give them the same hypothetical: photography, several viewings, two offers, negotiation and a first buyer who withdraws. “What would I pay, and what would you do?” The gaps should become much clearer.
 
Who is the named contact after you sign? A polished person may present the proposal while viewings and negotiations go to someone else. I would ask who answers buyer enquiries, how buyers are qualified before a viewing, who reports feedback, and the expected response time. Also ask whether they could represent or receive payment from the buyer, and how any conflict would be disclosed.
 
I would not give too much weight to a claimed fall-through rate. Without enough comparable sales and a consistent definition, the number may tell you very little. The useful question is what happens after a deal starts wobbling: who contacts each side, how quickly, and whether support through a replacement offer is included or becomes another charge.
 
One addition on photography: “included” is too vague. Confirm what is actually included—interior and exterior coverage, editing, floor plans if offered, and whether a return visit costs extra. Also ask where the townhouse will be advertised and whether removing or refreshing a weak listing creates further fees. Cheap photography can be adequate; unclear scope is the bigger concern.
 
Agreed on unclear scope, though I would not automatically favour the fullest package. A lower-fee proposal can still be better if the add-ons are transparent and you only pay for services you need. Send the same short list of scenarios to all three and request written answers. Their speed and precision in replying will also give you an early indication of how they may handle actual buyer enquiries.
 
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