Making the maximum profit out of a property while sell my home is the one and only objective of everyone who wants a home for sale. Some sellers choose to sell my home without the assistance of a real estate agent in order to achieve this aim.
The reasoning is clear: real estate brokers may demand substantial commissions and fees, leaving you with a shortfall of a few thousand dollars.
The typical 2.2 percent standard real estate commission for an estate agent work might cost you up to $20,000 of the entire price, and that’s before accounting for your solicitor’s expenses, stamp duty, and conveyancing fees. This is based on the average property price in Australia when you sell my home.
Pros of Selling Your Home Yourself
Flexibility
If you’re not in a hurry to sell, handling the process privately means you can take your time considering offers, choose your own settlement period, and select the buyer you feel most comfortable with. With only your own schedule to worry about, the process can be much less stressful and far more relaxed.
Cost Savings
This is the big drawcard for many sellers. By going it alone, you avoid the agent’s commission—potentially saving that hefty 2.2 percent, plus auctioneer fees. While you’ll still need to budget for marketing expenses, you do have more control over how much you spend. Be aware though, without an agent’s connections, you may sacrifice some reach in advertising.
Of course, selling your home yourself does come with its own set of challenges, but for some, the flexibility and potential savings can make it an appealing option.
Control Over the Selling Process
While saving on commissions is often the headline attraction of selling your home yourself (For Sale By Owner, or FSBO), some homeowners are drawn to FSBO for very different reasons. For many sellers, it’s about having full control over every aspect of the transaction—far beyond just the bottom line.
By handling the sale personally, you get to decide how and when to show your home, who walks through your front door, and how negotiations unfold. There’s no passing messages back and forth between multiple parties; you—quite literally—hold the keys. This direct involvement means every decision, from scheduling open homes to fielding offers and crafting counterproposals, stays in your own hands.
For sellers who value transparency and wish to move at their own pace, the FSBO route can be appealing. It’s a way to manage the sale’s flow and dynamics without relinquishing control to intermediaries or adhering strictly to an agent’s playbook. Whether it’s setting viewing times around your family’s schedule or tailoring your marketing to highlight what you love most about your property, FSBO puts you in the driver’s seat.
Why work with a real estate broker to sell my home?
Because real estate agents offer the experience, knowledge, and abilities necessary for successful property sales and negotiations, they are often preferred by consumers.
How much time and effort is required to sell a property myself?
Taking the DIY route when selling your home isn’t just about sticking a “For Sale” sign out front and waiting for offers to roll in. Be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of your time and energy to every stage of the process.
You’ll need to:
- Arrange and host open inspections or private appointments for interested buyers—often on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Field enquiries, return countless phone calls, and promptly reply to messages from prospective buyers.
- Manage the back-and-forth of negotiations once someone makes an offer, which can be time-consuming and requires both patience and flexibility.
If you’re working full-time, you might find yourself needing to take leave or spend evenings and weekends managing the sales process. In short, selling a property yourself can quickly become a second job, often commandeering your personal time and routine.
You may also like to read: How to leave a rental property and get your bond back?
They understand how to work the market, what buyers in your region are seeking for, and how to increase your chances of making a bigger profit. If you sell yourself, you might not be able to maximise your sales the way agents can sell your property.
Knowledge and experience
You need to have market knowledge, an understanding of the psychology underlying buyers’ decisions, and education in the industry to become a top-selling real estate agent for the prospective buyers.
Agents are skilled in determining a property’s value and how to price it appropriately to compete in the dynamic real estate market when a property is listed. This is essential if you want to be able to promote your home effectively and to the relevant audiences.
Although selling without a real estate agent might save you money on fees, it frequently leads to undervaluing your home. That, together with the expenses related to selling my home, may result in a substantial financial loss.
It’s also important to remember that buyers are well aware when you’re selling privately—they know you’re not paying a commission, and many will use this as leverage to negotiate a lower price. In these situations, the savings you hoped to keep often end up in the buyer’s pocket instead of yours.
Pricing your property correctly is another major challenge without an agent’s expertise. Set the price too low, and you’ll pocket less than the property is worth. Aim too high, and you risk scaring off potential buyers altogether. Worse still, if your home lingers on the market for too long, the listing can become stale—making it seem less desirable and even prompting lowball offers from bargain hunters. Many sellers discover too late that a misstep in pricing at the outset can lead to a lower overall sale price in the end.
Along with confidence and savvy negotiating abilities, a good agent needs to be. You will need someone who can battle for your home because the market may be a difficult area to compete in.
Legal expertise and handling contracts
One area that often catches sellers off-guard is the sheer volume and complexity of paperwork involved in a property transaction. From contracts of sale and disclosure statements to amendments and settlement documents, there can be dozens—sometimes over eighty—pages of legal forms to navigate. Each one demands close attention, as even the smallest oversight can lead to costly consequences or disputes further down the line.
A seasoned real estate agent is well-versed in all these contract requirements and knows how to identify hidden clauses or unfavourable terms that could cost you money or restrict your rights. Not only can they ensure all documents are drafted accurately and in your best interest, but they are also skilled at negotiating terms that protect you as a seller. Whether it’s clarifying who pays for repairs or making sure your timelines are enforced, an agent’s contract expertise can make a substantial difference in your final sale price and peace of mind.
Without professional guidance, sellers risk missing crucial legal steps or unwittingly agreeing to conditions that might not serve them. In essence, navigating contracts is a major undertaking—and having expert support often means the difference between a smooth sale and an expensive headache.
Risks of Choosing the Wrong Real Estate Agent
Not all agents are created equal, and entrusting your home sale to someone inexperienced or lacking in professionalism can introduce a host of risks. Much like choosing a mechanic who’s never looked under a hood, or representing yourself in court with only TV dramas for training, hiring an unqualified agent can be more costly than you’d expect.
- Mispricing Your Property: Inexperienced agents might overprice your home—leaving it languishing on the market—or underprice it, losing you thousands you could have pocketed.
- Poor Negotiation Skills: The art of negotiation is not for the faint-hearted. Without it, you could end up accepting a lacklustre offer or missing opportunities to maximize your return.
- Insufficient Marketing Exposure: Agents without strong industry connections or access to effective marketing tools may fail to showcase your property to the widest pool of potential buyers.
- Legal and Contractual Pitfalls: Property transactions come with complex paperwork and legal obligations. A novice might overlook key details, which can lead to complications or costly disputes down the track.
- Lost Time and Additional Stress: Ineffective agents can cause unnecessary delays with disorganized open houses, slow communication, or by failing to follow up with serious buyers.
Just as you’d seek a reputable doctor or solicitor, it’s wise to do your homework and select an agent with a proven track record. This ensures your sale is in capable hands and helps you avoid unnecessary headaches.
Evaluating an Agent’s Performance
Before entrusting your largest asset to just anyone, it’s wise to get a firsthand sense of how an agent operates. Start by visiting one of their open homes or attending an auction they’re hosting. This allows you to observe them in action: Do they arrive prepared and on time? Are they approachable, knowledgeable, and proactive in engaging with prospective buyers?
Pay attention to how they respond to questions, their communication style, and whether they make visitors feel welcome or pressured. A good agent will be both professional and personable, offering valuable insights without overwhelming potential buyers. These interactions reveal a lot about how diligent and effective the agent will be when representing your property.
Access to databases of prospective customers and marketing tools
How many people who are looking for a home do you know? What marketing channels are the most efficient to reach potential buyers? How can you distinguish between serious and casual web users?
The answers to these queries are known by real estate agents. They can promote your home more effectively and sell it more quickly and for a better price since they have access to a larger pool of possible purchasers.
But if you’re considering selling on your own, it’s important to understand what you’ll be taking on. Without an agent’s connections, you’ll need to create your own marketing strategy—listing your property online, arranging professional photography, crafting compelling descriptions, and managing everything from social media posts to open homes.
You’ll field enquiries, answer calls and emails, and coordinate inspections—often during evenings and weekends. And when you find an interested buyer, you’ll handle negotiations yourself, which can be time-consuming and emotionally charged.
Another challenge is getting the price right. Without up-to-date market knowledge, it’s easy to price too high (and scare buyers off) or too low (and miss out on profit). If your listing lingers on the market, buyers may assume something’s wrong and use it as leverage to negotiate further down.
Agents, on the other hand, have access to buyer databases—potential purchasers ready to act quickly. This can lead to faster sales and less time spent in limbo. Plus, their expertise in qualifying buyers helps ensure you’re dealing with serious offers, avoiding wasted weekends with ‘tyre kickers’ just browsing for fun.
In short, while selling your home yourself might seem like a good way to save on commission, be prepared for the significant time, marketing know-how, and negotiating skills required to do it well.
For many people, working with a real estate agent is the wisest course of action, but the commission they get may be a turnoff. What is the best way to combine the best of both worlds?
Do Agents Really Get a Better Sale Price?
It’s tempting to think that skipping an agent and their hefty commission means more cash in your pocket. But the reality isn’t always so simple—when it comes to the actual sale price, working with an experienced professional can make all the difference.
While it’s true that agents charge a fee (often around 2%-3%, which, on a $500,000 property, isn’t exactly pocket change), their skillset and network can easily offset or even surpass that cost. Why? Seasoned agents understand market dynamics, spot shifting buyer trends, and know how to present your home in its best light to attract top-dollar offers. They can tap into extensive buyer databases, leverage premium listing portals, and use targeted advertising—platforms like realestate.com.au or Domain, for example—to ensure your property gets maximum exposure.
Without an agent, many owners list their property, get a fast offer, and assume they’ve nailed it—even if a professional could have generated a bidding war and netted tens of thousands more. It’s easy to underestimate just how much money might be left on the table, especially in a hot market where the right negotiations can push the price significantly higher.
Of course, not all agents are created equal. Just as you’d choose your accountant or solicitor carefully, it pays to work with an agent who has a proven track record, strong local knowledge, and excellent communication skills. The right professional can deliver dramatic returns—not only in the selling price itself but through a smooth process and valuable future connections.
Ultimately, while there’s a commission involved, partnering with a skilled real estate agent often means a higher sale price, faster closure, and fewer headaches—making it a worthwhile investment for most sellers.
Professional Services and Costs Often Included by Real Estate Agents
When considering selling your home without an agent, it’s important to realize just how many services are quietly included in a real estate agent’s commission. While the DIY route means reaching into your own pocket for every expense, agents frequently absorb or negotiate down these costs as part of their service.
For instance, a qualified agent will typically arrange for professional photography—sometimes even including aerial drone footage or immersive 3D virtual tours—all designed to present your property at its very best. Staging consultations, floor plans, and advertising in prominent spots both online (Portals like realestate.com.au, Domain) and in print often fall under their standard marketing offerings.
Here’s where agents really flex their industry influence:
- Bulk Discounts: Agents, as repeat customers with photographers, stagers, and inspectors, often secure rates significantly below what you’d access as a one-off vendor.
- Advertising Packages: Many will cover or significantly subsidize advertising costs—everything from boosted Facebook and Instagram campaigns to featured spots on major real estate websites.
- Vendor Perks: It’s not unusual for agents to have arrangements with local trades, styling firms, and even conveyancers that translate into either lower costs or faster turnarounds for sellers.
Some even extend further, contributing toward closing costs, arranging complimentary compliance reports, or offering bundled service packages that can slash thousands off your out-of-pocket expenses.
The takeaway? What appears as a hefty agent’s commission often goes straight into creating the best possible campaign for your property—without you managing multiple invoices or chasing up every little detail. This investment could be the difference between a home that’s overlooked, and one that stands out in a crowded marketplace.
Seller Representation and Commission Structures with Alternative Brokerages
If the traditional commission fees still give you pause, there are alternative options that blend professional representation with potential cost savings. Discount brokerages, for example, offer to list your property for a lower listing commission—sometimes as little as 1.5%. You may be able to negotiate the buyer’s agent commission as well, which often falls around 1% to 1.5%.
The end result? The overall commission paid could be around 3%—similar to what you might pay selling without any agent, especially if your buyer is already working with a realtor. However, by partnering with these brokerages, you benefit from experienced representation and exposure on popular platforms like the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
This approach can offer the “best of both worlds”—greater visibility and expert support, without the full traditional commission.
Selling a Vacant Home: What Makes It Different?
While putting a vacant property on the market may seem like a straightforward process, there are a few unique challenges you’ll want to anticipate—especially if your goal is to maximize profit and minimize headaches.
Unlike selling an occupied home, you’ll need to consider security and maintenance more closely. With no one living there, it’s easy for things like lights being left on, doors accidentally left unlocked, or the heating and cooling systems running unnecessarily to cause problems—not to mention driving up your utility bills.
Additionally, vacant homes can sometimes appear less inviting to buyers. An empty space often feels cold or impersonal, making it harder for buyers to imagine themselves living there. To counter this, many sellers invest in professional staging or virtual staging services, helping the house appear lived-in and appealing in online listings and during showings.
Finally, managing access to the property becomes crucial. Without anyone on-site, you’ll need clear protocols for agents or potential buyers entering the home to ensure security is maintained.
Working with a reliable real estate agent can be invaluable—they can oversee showings, ensure the property is secured after viewings, and coordinate with service providers for cleaning or minor repairs. This hands-on support is often worth the peace of mind, even if you’re cautious about commission fees.
Discussing Strategy with Your Real Estate Agent
When you meet with a prospective real estate agent, it’s important to dig into their approach to marketing your home. Start by asking how they plan to showcase your property to attract the right buyers. Are they relying on a generic advertising plan, or will they create a campaign tailored to your home’s unique features and your target audience?
Be sure to:
- Ask who they believe is most likely to purchase your property—are they families, young professionals, or investors?
- Find out what methods they’ll use to reach those buyers, whether that’s online listings, social media, realestate.com.au, property viewings, or local print advertising.
- Request examples of past success stories. Can they share situations where their custom marketing made a tangible difference in the sale price or speed of sale?
Ultimately, you want an agent who has done their homework and provides a clear, thoughtful roadmap rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach. This customized strategy can make all the difference in standing out in a crowded market.
Managing and Screening Buyers
A real estate agent can determine whether a potential buyer is serious about purchasing your house or is only interested in the neighborhood. Agents are taught to ask qualifying questions to ascertain a variety of factors, including the sincerity, motivation, and financial preparedness of a potential customer.
Additionally, they have the power to persuade a qualified prospect to submit an offer to purchase your property by being a buyer’s agent for property.
Stress-Free Negotiations
It would be tough to accept rejections, and potential buyers may say things about your house that would anger you when it is for sale by owner. Because there are no personal feelings involved, a real estate agent may protect you from having to deal with purchasers directly and can approach the sale of your home with greater objectivity.
They will thus be able to take criticism effectively, present a convincing counteroffer in response to rejection, and follow up with potential customers without coming across as desperate. After all, the goal of negotiations is to reach a win-win outcome for all parties involved, not just the price.
In addition, selling privately can open the door to some tricky situations. Buyers often know that a private sale means you’re not paying agent commission, so they may try to negotiate a lower price based on that fact—sometimes passing the so-called “savings” directly onto them, not you.
Setting the right price is another minefield. Without a solid grasp of the current market, it’s easy to miss the mark: price too low, and you may walk away with less than you deserve; price too high, and buyers might not even make an offer. If your property languishes on the market, it can become ‘stale’—and buyers may start to wonder what’s wrong with it or see you as desperate if you have to drop the price later. This can drag out negotiations and, ironically, may lead to you accepting a lower offer than you would have with the right initial pricing and professional representation.
A real estate agent helps avoid these pitfalls by keeping negotiations on track, presenting your property in the best possible light, and ensuring conversations stay focused on value rather than emotion. This professional distance is invaluable in achieving a strong outcome without the stress and second-guessing that can come with handling every comment and counteroffer yourself.
Market expertise
The Australian real estate market has continued to defy the most pessimistic predictions and has remained impressively robust.
Home prices have increased by 6.6% year over year to $1,154,40. Low loan rates, government tax cuts, and other incentives have enticed buyers back into the housing market.
You may also like to read: How much do real estate agents charge for renting?
A real estate agent keeps up with information and developments like these to help you sell my home quickly, for the best price, and to make the process enjoyable rather than just another tedious duty.
Proper Pricing
Proper property pricing may influence the number of days a property stays on the market and the eventual sales price. Fewer individuals would be interested in viewing your house if you priced it too expensive, which would lead to fewer bids.
On the other side, if you price it too cheap, you can give the impression that your home has a problem or that you are in a hurry to sell. Given the market conditions at the time, an agent can assist you in determining the appropriate price for your property.
Real estate is more like a people business than a property business these days because more and more transactions are determined by the quality of the real estate agent, their presentation, their ability to communicate effectively through a variety of media, and whether or not their potential clients are happy working with them, as well as by their personality, presence, and overall personal.
How to Select the Right Real Estate Agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is much more than scanning for the lowest commission. You’re entrusting someone not just with your property, but often with one of your largest financial decisions—so it’s vital to find an agent who is both effective and a great fit for you.
Assess Their Track Record, Not Just Their Talk
Don’t be dazzled simply by big sales numbers. Dig deeper—ask the agent for case studies of similar homes they’ve sold recently in your neighborhood. Compare those results to the local market: Did they consistently achieve or exceed benchmark prices? Did properties move quickly, or did they linger?
A skilled agent isn’t the one who rushes to accept the first bid. They’re the professional who knows when to negotiate for better terms and maximise your property’s value.
Seek Out Trusted Recommendations (With a Pinch of Salt)
Word of mouth goes a long way, so start by asking friends, family, and colleagues about their own experiences. But remember—what worked for someone else may not suit your needs. Take recommendations as a starting point, then do your own homework.
Think Local Knowledge
An agent with deep roots in your suburb or region brings a distinct advantage. They understand what makes the neighborhood tick, know the buyers who are likely to be interested, and can talk up the location’s selling points with genuine authority. Their familiarity translates into stronger marketing and more accurate pricing strategies.
Observe Them in Action
Attend an open house or auction hosted by prospective agents. How do they present themselves? Are they engaged, prepared, and approachable—able to answer buyers’ questions confidently? Seeing them on the front lines will give you a sense of how they will represent your property.
Evaluate Their Marketing Approach
An effective agent tailors their marketing plan to fit your specific property—not just sending out generic ads or listing on one website. Ask about their intended strategy: Who are the buyers they’ll target? What digital and offline channels will they use? A thoughtful answer shows they’re not phoning it in.
Request an Appraisal—But Look Beyond the Headline Number
Every good agent is willing to provide a complimentary property appraisal. Don’t simply latch onto the one that promises the sky; instead, ask how they arrived at their suggested price and what their plan is for achieving it. Verifiable logic and a clear process are better indicators than inflated promises.
Selecting the ideal agent demands careful consideration—balancing qualifications, local expertise, and your gut instinct about who will advocate for your sale with energy and integrity.
Long-Term Benefits of Partnering with the Right Agent
Building a relationship with a reputable, experienced real estate agent can yield rewards that go far beyond selling your current home. While some sellers might focus on immediate savings by avoiding commissions, the bigger picture reveals far greater advantages to working closely with an expert.
Ongoing Professional Guidance
Think of your agent as your property guide—not just for the present sale but for each step on your real estate journey. A trustworthy agent doesn’t disappear after the papers are signed. Instead, they become a valued advisor you can call upon for everything from market updates to investment opportunities. Whether you’re considering refinancing, leveraging equity, or exploring new neighborhoods, they’ll provide objective, up-to-date advice.
Access to Better Opportunities
Established agents build extensive networks that benefit clients well into the future. For example:
- You’ll hear about off-market listings or “pocket” deals before the general public.
- When you’re ready to buy again, your agent can negotiate favorable terms or connect you to professionals like conveyancers, mortgage brokers, or reliable tradespeople.
- Your agent can alert you to new government incentives, tax changes, and market shifts that could affect your investment strategy.
Creating Value Beyond the Sale
Beyond just transacting a property, a dedicated agent strives to maximize your long-term results. They may help you identify renovation strategies to boost resale value, suggest tax-efficient ways to manage your assets, or help you time your sale or purchase to perfection in relation to market cycles.
A Relationship That Pays Dividends
Similar to having a trusted family doctor or accountant, a good agent serves as a long-term partner in your financial well-being. Many clients find that the ongoing education, networking, and support an agent provides often translates to tens or even hundreds of thousands in value over a decade or more.
In short, working with the right professional goes far beyond achieving a strong sale price today. It sets you on the path for smarter, more rewarding property decisions for years to come—building wealth and confidence at each step.
