How to Check a Real Estate Agent's Track Record in Canterbury

Every real estate agent in Canterbury will present you with a listing presentation showing their best numbers. Your job is to verify those numbers independently and build a complete picture of their actual track record - not just what they choose to show you. Here is how to do it properly.

RateMyAgent (ratemyagent.co.nz)

RateMyAgent is the most comprehensive public platform for assessing Canterbury agent performance. It aggregates verified client reviews from sellers and buyers who have transacted with each agent. Key metrics to look at: overall star rating (4.5 and above is a reasonable baseline); total number of reviews (10 reviews is a meaningful sample; 50+ is strong evidence); and the consistency of feedback over time rather than just recent results. RateMyAgent also shows the number of properties an agent has sold in the last 12 months and their average days on market. Filter the data specifically by suburb to assess whether the agent is genuinely active in your local market rather than just the city overall. An agent who rates highly on average days on market in your suburb is demonstrating real local knowledge and buyer network depth.

Settled.govt.nz

Settled.govt.nz publishes actual property sale prices in New Zealand - recorded from LINZ (Land Information New Zealand) settlement data. You can search by address to see what properties in your suburb have sold for and when. This allows you to cross-reference your agent's claimed comparable sales: do the prices they are citing in their appraisal match what is recorded publicly? If an agent claims a property at 14 Acacia Avenue sold for $850,000 last month, you can verify this independently.

Ask the Agent Directly

Ask your agent to provide you with a list of their last 10 sales in your suburb or immediately adjacent suburbs. For each sale, ask: the listed price vs the final sale price; the days on market; and whether it was sold at auction, by deadline, or by negotiation. A confident, competent agent will provide this information readily. An agent who hedges, provides only their best results, or is reluctant to share specific data should be viewed with caution. Also ask specifically: when did you last sell a property comparable to mine, in my suburb, and what was the outcome?

Check Their REA License

All real estate agents in New Zealand must hold a current license issued by the Real Estate Authority (REA). You can verify any agent's license status at licensedagent.co.nz. An agent operating without a current valid license is breaking the law - this check takes 30 seconds and confirms the basic professional standing of anyone you are considering.

Research tools from RateMyAgent (ratemyagent.co.nz), settled.govt.nz, and the Real Estate Authority (rea.govt.nz). For general information only.