Why “Exclusive Sole Mandates” Work

With a sole mandate, the mandate agent is solely accountable for the marketing and selling of the property, which results in more focus and concentrated effort on the agent’s behalf. One focused sole agent is worth more than 10 unfocused agents all marketing the same house.

Sometimes plans change or events don’t transpire the way we expect. The consumer protection act makes provision for sellers to cancel the sole mandate with 20 business days’ notice. Easy.

Sellers communicate with only one agent. They receive their regular feedback from one agent only. The sole agent represents the seller’s interests.

Fear of limiting your exposure with only one agency? Don’t be afraid, as here in the Helderberg agencies work in inter- cooperation. For example, Team Connect has an exclusive sole mandate to sell your property, other agencies are still accommodated to bring their qualified buyers to view your property. Team Connect will deal with the other agents and their clients, and coordinate all viewings and appointments as the sole point of contact. If a deal is done, the sole agent will represent the seller, draft the offer to purchase, and negotiate it. The agent-commission is split with the other agency with no additional cost to the seller. This way real-estate sellers profit from maximum exposure in a controlled, safe and easy way.

Higher selling prices are achieved when there is an exclusive sole mandate in place. With 9 other agents marketing the property, agents could very well be more inclined to present any offer they can get and negotiate less in order to just get the deal done and get the sale to their name.

With multiple agencies marketing a property, it has been known to happen that agency A introduces the husband to the property, and agency B introduces the wife - and both claim the sale and the full commission. With an exclusive sole mandate, only your sole agent controls the viewings and all communication other agencies. There is therefore no risk for the seller of double commission claims.

Our RE/MAX of Southern Africa CEO, Adrian Goslett says: “Although sellers may be inclined to think that signing a sole mandate is putting all of their eggs in one basket, it is actually about allowing a reputable, experienced estate agent the opportunity to make the process of selling a home simpler. It will ensure that an entire team within a real estate network is cooperating to sell the property within a reasonable time frame at the best possible price.”