When it comes to selling your home, one of the biggest expenses you’ll face is your real estate agent’s commission. The good news? Real estate fees are not fixed, and you can negotiate them. With the right knowledge, you can save thousands of dollars without sacrificing the quality of your sale. After you compare agent fees, see how our property negotiation service can maximise your results. 

💲 Why Negotiating Matters

Most home sellers don’t realize that agents’ fees are flexible. Accepting the standard commission rate without question could mean giving away a significant portion of your hard-earned equity. Even a small reduction in fees can make a huge difference to your bottom line.

🔍 Step 1: Do Your Research

• Know the average fees in your area – Commissions vary depending on location, property type, and competition between agents.
• Ask multiple agents – Compare what different agents offer. Don’t just focus on the fee—look at their marketing strategy, experience, and recent results.
• Check online reviews – See what past clients say about their negotiation experience.

📊 Step 2: Understand What’s Negotiable

Real estate fees often include:

• Commission percentage – The biggest cost.
• Marketing/advertising costs – Photography, online listings, print ads, staging, etc.
• Administration fees – Some agencies add extras like “compliance” or “office” or “admin” fees.

Not all of these are set in stone. Many can be reduced—or removed entirely—if you ask.

🎯 Step 3: Focus on Value, Not Just Price

An agent offering the lowest fee isn’t always the best choice. A skilled negotiator can often sell your home for a higher price, even with a slightly higher commission. What you want is the best outcome at the fairest fee.

Ask each agent:

• How will you market my home differently?
• What’s your recent track record in my area?
• Can you show me examples where your strategy achieved a better result than average?

🤝 Step 4: Use Smart Negotiation Tactics

• Don’t reveal your budget first – Let the agent propose their fee first.
• Bundle negotiations – Ask for a reduced commission and lower advertising fees.
• Offer performance incentives – For example: “I’ll agree to X% if you achieve above $Y price.” See how they react
• Leverage competition – Let agents know you’re talking to others. Competition often drives fees down.

📄 Step 5: Get It in Writing

Whatever you negotiate, ensure it’s written into your agency agreement before signing. Verbal promises don’t count. Double-check:

• Commission rate
• Who pays advertising costs
• When fees are payable

✅ Key Takeaways

• Real estate fees are negotiable.
• Compare multiple agents before deciding.
• Focus on value and performance, not just the cheapest fee.
• Use competition to your advantage.
• Always get the final agreement in writing.

🏠 Final Word

Negotiating real estate fees can feel uncomfortable—but remember, you’re the client. Agents want your business, and the best ones will happily work with you to create a fair arrangement. By taking control of the conversation, you’ll not only save money but also set the tone for a more professional and transparent selling experience.

A Word To The Wise... it's not what the real estate agent charges you at the start that is important, it's what they cost you if you use the wrong one! We all want to maximise the result in our pocket but if you pick the agent purely because they have a lower fee than the others you're starting on the wrong foot from day 1.