The market has changed in Eastern Australia in recent months and buyers are becoming a little more selective.  They now have less competition and therefore are a little fussier in what they expect. 

Presentation of a property is therefore even more important than it was before the market peak of late Spring 2007 and it might be wise to spruce up the property.  Before spending mega bucks on renovations, it would certainly be worthwhile doing some homework such as looking at similar houses and asking an Estate Agent.

Why not review the potential agent’s performance by visiting an open house to see how they treat you as a buyer?  In other words, you test them out by reversing roles.  Do they know the property’s key features, its items of differentiation, do they know the area and do they listen to you, the prospective buyer?