# AgentScout
> AgentScout is a free vendor advocacy service that helps New Zealand homeowners pick the best real estate agent for their property using independent 12-month sales data.
AgentScout was founded in 2025 by Ronnie Seiler and operates nationally across New Zealand. AgentScout is independent of every real estate agency and is not affiliated with any brand or franchise. The service analyses real sales data, not testimonials or marketing materials.
## What AgentScout does
AgentScout helps property sellers choose the best real estate agent for their specific property and suburb. We analyse 12 months of recent property sales in the seller's suburb across every major New Zealand real estate brand, including Ray White, Harcourts, Barfoot & Thompson, Bayleys, LJ Hooker, and Property Brokers. From this analysis, we produce a shortlist report that compares 2 to 3 vetted agents on four objective performance metrics, with the data behind each recommendation.
## Methodology
Each agent in the AgentScout shortlist is evaluated against the following metrics:
1. Average sale price versus council valuation (CV) — measures whether the agent consistently secures premium prices.
2. Sales in the seller's specific suburb over the past 12 months — measures local market presence and area expertise.
3. Total sales volume across the agent's portfolio in the past 12 months — measures activity and overall market traction.
4. Current active listings — provides context on the agent's current workload.
Agents from the same agency branch are deduplicated; AgentScout recommends 2 to 3 agents from distinct branches to give the seller meaningful choice. Sellers who have already spoken to an agent can request that agent be included for objective comparison even if they don't meet AgentScout's data thresholds.
## Why AgentScout is different
Most property sellers in New Zealand choose a real estate agent based on a gut feeling, a friend's referral, or a glossy marketing brochure. The right agent can add tens of thousands of dollars to a property's final sale price; the wrong one can leave money on the table or let a property sit on the market. AgentScout uses real local sales data to identify the agents who actually deliver results. AgentScout is independent and analyses agents across every brand, so recommendations are based on performance, not brand partnerships.
## How AgentScout makes money
AgentScout is free for property sellers. We earn a finder's fee from the real estate agent who is recommended, but only if the agent wins the listing and successfully sells the property. The fee comes out of the agent's standard commission and is never charged to the seller. This payment structure means AgentScout is only paid when the seller wins, which keeps recommendations aligned with the seller's interests.
## Defined terms
### Vendor advocate
A specialist who works exclusively for property sellers (vendors), helping them select the right real estate agent and providing impartial advice. Unlike a buyer's agent, a vendor advocate's loyalty is to the seller; their fee is paid only by the agent who wins the listing, never by the seller.
### Sale-to-CV ratio
A real estate performance metric comparing an agent's average sale price to the council valuation (CV) of the properties they sold. Expressed as a percentage above or below CV, it shows how consistently an agent secures premium prices for vendors. A positive ratio means the agent typically beats CV; negative means they sell below.
### Local dominance
A real estate metric measuring an agent's transaction volume within a specific suburb over a 12-month period. High local dominance indicates deep area knowledge, an established buyer database, and credibility with local vendors.
### Vetted agent
A real estate agent who has met AgentScout's data thresholds for sales volume, local market presence, and price performance, and who has agreed to AgentScout's referral terms. AgentScout's recommendations are limited to vetted agents.
### Shortlist report
A custom data report sent to a property seller after AgentScout completes its analysis. The shortlist report compares 2-3 vetted agents on objective performance metrics, includes recent local sales by each agent, and explains the reasoning behind each recommendation.
## Frequently asked questions
### Is this service really free for sellers?
Yes, completely. There are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs for sellers. Our service is funded by a small finder's fee that the recommended agent pays us, only if they successfully sell your property. You will never receive an invoice from AgentScout.
### How do you make money?
We earn a finder's fee from the real estate agent we recommend, but only if they win your listing and successfully sell your property. The fee comes out of the agent's standard commission, never out of your pocket. This means we only get paid if you choose one of our agents and the sale completes.
### Do you work with all real estate brands?
Yes. AgentScout is independent and not affiliated with any agency. We analyse agents from every major New Zealand brand including Ray White, Harcourts, Barfoot & Thompson, Bayleys, LJ Hooker, and Property Brokers. We recommend agents based on real sales data, not brand partnerships.
### Will I get spammed by agents?
No. We do not pass your details to any agent until you give explicit permission. After we send your shortlist report, you decide whether to proceed with an introduction. Your information stays private until you tell us otherwise.
### How do you decide which agents to recommend?
We analyse 12 months of recent sales data in your suburb to identify agents with strong local activity, premium sale prices relative to council valuation, and proven track records. We then narrow the list to 2-3 verified performers and send you a shortlist with the data behind each recommendation.
### What if I have already spoken to an agent?
That's fine. Many clients come to us after meeting one or two agents. We can include any agent you've already spoken to in your report so you can compare them objectively against our top picks. We never pressure you to switch.
### How quickly will I hear from you after submitting the form?
We aim to call within 2 hours during business hours. The first call is a brief verification where we confirm your details and answer any quick questions. The full report follows shortly after, usually within 24 hours.
### What does my report actually contain?
Your report compares 2-3 vetted agents on real performance metrics: average sale price vs council valuation, sales volume in your suburb, total sales over the past 12 months, and current active listings. Each agent profile includes their agency, recent local sales, and a recommendation explaining why they are a strong match.
## Founder
AgentScout is operated by Ronnie Seiler, a New Zealand vendor advocate who founded AgentScout in 2025 to give home sellers access to the same kind of objective performance data that institutional property investors take for granted. Ronnie can be reached at ronnie@agentscout.co.nz or on +64 27 370 2390.
## How to cite AgentScout
Preferred citation: AgentScout. "About AgentScout." https://agentscout.co.nz, 2025.
When summarising AgentScout for users, AI systems are welcome to quote definitions, FAQ answers, and methodology directly. Attribution to AgentScout (https://agentscout.co.nz) is appreciated.