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Real estate agent commission percentages and fees in Perth and WA can vary widely from agent to agent and area to area. Based on our data, the average commission rate in WA is 2.44%, but can go up as high as 3.25%.
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Find out the average agent commission percentage for your NSW suburb by entering the suburb’s name below.
The figures shown are an average. Agents charge different amounts based on a range of factors, including property type, value and likelihood to sell.
Commissions make up the main portion of real estate agent selling fees in Perth and WA (though there are other costs to be aware of).
The average commission rate in WA is 2.44%, but rates can also go as high as 3.25%. Rates are generally lower in Perth than they are in regional WA. Some suburbs of Perth have average rates as low 2.2% while regional areas of WA are often around 3% or higher.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect to pay in these popular suburbs around Perth:
An agent’s commission rate is applied to the final selling price of your house. For example, if you agree to a rate of 2.5% and sell your house $500,00, you’ll pay $12,500 in commission (500,000 x 0.025). Some agents may have a tiered commission structure where you pay a higher rate for any amount above a set target.
The agent’s rate is always agreed on before you sell your house.
Want to know how much you’ll pay in commission? Use our WA real estate agent commission calculator.
As well as your real estate agent’s commission, there are other costs to be aware of when selling your house in Perth or regional WA. Some of these costs are likely to be covered by your agent’s commission fees, but not all agents structure their fees the same way.
It’s important to be aware of all the costs associated with selling a home so you can accurately assess the relative value of a real estate agents’ fees. You should also be aware of what is included in an agent’s fees before taking them on, so you’re not blindsided by any extra costs.
Your real estate agent’s fee for selling your house will generally be charged as a commission rate based on the final selling price of your house. This is usually the largest cost involved in selling your house.
An agent’s fees can incorporate other associated costs such as marketing/advertising costs and photography, but not always – you should always check what is included.
It’s extremely important to invest in a comprehensive marketing strategy and to make sure your house is seen in all the places potential buyers are looking to give yourself the best chance of getting a good price for your home.
These days, online advertising is probably the most valuable marketing channel available when selling a house. It’s the most convenient and effective way for house-hunters to search for properties for sale.
Advertising your house on the most popular websites means maximising the number of eyeballs on your listing and therefore maximising your chances of a sale. The most popular real estate listing sites in Western Australia are realestate.com.au and domain.com.au.
Online advertising costs in Perth can range from around $400 to upwards of $1,000 for 45 days. The cost varies based on the “tier” chosen, which determines how much prominence is given to your property listing. Outside of Perth in regional WA, costs are lower and you can generally expect to pay around $200 to $800 for 45 days.
Traditional advertising in newspapers and other forms of physical media shouldn’t be forgotten about. Newspaper ads increase your overall reach and can get your ad seen by less computer-savvy people who may otherwise miss it. It also helps to leave a lasting impression of your home when people see it advertised multiple times across multiple mediums.
Other types of traditional advertising that can help sell your home include magazines, brochures and flyers.
Your real estate agent will generally put your marketing strategy together with your input. If not, they should at least be giving you guidance and tips. The best strategy will depend on your particular house, location and market. You should ask agents about potential marketing strategies for your house before selecting an agent to sell your home.
Closely related to marketing your home, and possibly equally important, is presenting your home in the best light with quality and professional photography. The photos you include in your listing will have a huge influence on how your home is perceived by potential buyers. This is where it’s absolutely vital you put your best foot forward and emphasise your home’s best features for maximum impact.
A good real estate photographer will capture your house in the best and most flattering angles and produce photos that will help your listing stand out from the crowd in the competitive WA market. Your real estate agent may include photography in their fees. If not, they should be able to point you in the direction of a quality and experienced photographer.
Home staging should be done before photography takes place to remove your house of clutter and arrange your furniture and ornaments in the most appealing way. This should also be done before inspections to make the best impression on interested potential buyers (and to make sure the house matches what they saw in the photos).
This is something you may choose to do yourself; otherwise there are professional home staging services that can work in conjunction with your photographer to get the best possible result. In Western Australia, these services can range anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.
Conveyancing and legal costs associated with preparing a contract for the sale of your house will generally not be included in an agent’s fees. Preparing a contract for sale is the responsibility of the seller and will require you to pay for the services of a conveyancer or solicitor. In Western Australia this will generally cost you between $700 and $1,300.
The conveyancing process can be very complicated – it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with it in preparation for selling your house and to make sure there are no other costs you may be liable for.
Learn more: Conveyancing Costs – Fees By State
Depending on whether you choose to sell your house at auction, you may also need to pay for auctioneer fees. Most real estate agents aren’t registered auctioneers so these costs will generally be separate to your agent’s fees.
Auctioneer fees in Western Australia can range from $200 to $1,000. Fees are charged per auction so you will need to pay more if it takes more than one auction to sell your house.
Though most real estate agents aren’t registered auctioneers, they often work closely with them and can recommend those that can help get the highest price for your house. Talk to a top agent in your area to get an idea of who can help get you the best result.
Need help working out selling costs? Try our costs of selling a property calculator.
There are two main types of real estate commission structures: fixed commission and tiered commission.
Fixed commission is simply a set percentage of the final selling price of the house. The rate stays the same no matter how much the house sells for.
A tiered commission has multiple commission rates depending on the final selling price. A rate is set up until an agreed upon target amount, then a higher rate is set for any amount above that target. This gives the agent more of an incentive to reach a higher selling price. Tiered commission rates are generally used for more expensive properties, as there is more potential to get a higher price.
Learn more: What Are The Different Real Estate Agent Fee Structures?
Have a look at the table below for examples of how fixed and tiered commission rates can work.
As you can see, if you negotiate a good tiered commission structure with your agent, it may result in a bigger sale profit.
The majority of real estate agents in WA are registered with the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA). However, the REIWA has no influence on what commission rates these agents charge and their rates vary just as much as non-REIWA registered agents.
REIWA agents may charge higher or lower fees than non-REIWA agents. It really comes down to the individual agent and the commission rate they decide to set.
When comparing agents, it is a good sign if they are registered with REIWA, but you shouldn’t write off an agent if they aren’t registered. It’s more important to look at an agent’s recent experience in selling houses similar to yours, and how comfortable you are that they are the right fit for you.
Learn more: How to select your agent
When looking for an agent, it’s tempting to look solely for those with the lowest rates to try to save money.
This is a risky tactic, as these agents may be less skilled and/or experienced than more expensive agents, and end up getting a lower price for you house. It may also take them longer to sell your house. It could end up costing you more money if you sell for less than your house’s true value, and if you have to advertise your house for longer.
So be careful when considering an agent with lower rates, and make sure you look at their past performance – including how long their houses were on the market.
Learn more: Top 10 Questions To Ask A Real Estate Agent
No, real estate agent fees and commission rates are not regulated in Perth & Western Australia, even amongst agents registered with REIWA. Agents set their own commission rates and decide what is included in their fees.
So agent fees and commission rates can vary greatly from agent to agent. This makes it very important to do your research and compare multiple agents to make sure you get the best mix of value and results.
There are a few different factors that affect the fees and commission rates Western Australian real estate agents charge. You should be aware of these factors so you can properly assess the value of agents’ fees.
Location is always a big factor in real estate and it’s no exception when it comes to an agent’s fees. Local competition plays a big part in average rates – competition of both agents and houses.
In densely populated areas in and around Perth, there are more agents competing with each other, which drives rates down. There are also more houses on the market and more opportunities for agents to make sales, meaning they can afford to charge lower commission rates.
On the other hand, there is less competition amongst agents outside of Perth in regional WA and fewer houses going on the market. So agents in these areas need to charge a bit more to maintain their income.
Property value has a big influence on agents’ rates as the amount they make from selling a house depends on the price it gets.
Agents can afford to charge a lower rate on expensive houses as a smaller percentage on a high selling price will still add up to a good payment for them. On the flip side, agents need to charge a higher rate on less expensive house to ensure they still receive a fair amount for their work achieving a sale.
The more experienced an agent the higher their rate is likely to be, and vice-versa for agents with less experience.
There is the opportunity to get a better deal with a newer agent looking to build their experience, but you should always be careful when considering less experienced agents. You should examine their recent experience with houses similar to your own and be comfortable they can achieve a good result.
Some agents include more costs in their fees than other agents, such as marketing, photography and other costs of selling your home. An agent that seems more expensive may actually work offer better value if they include more in their fees than other agents.
Make sure you are completely clear on what is included in an agent’s fees before you make a decision.
Learn more: How To Compare Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents’ rates are not regulated or set in Western Australia, so you should absolutely negotiate with agents on their rates.
In fact, in the currently subdued market in Perth and WA, if you have a particularly desirable house you likely will be able to secure a very competitive rate from your agent.
You should always ask potential agents if they can give you a better rate, and don’t be shy to tell them you are talking to multiple agents. They will most likely be more willing to negotiate if they know they are competing with other agents.
Find out what the average rate is in your area so you can be aware of how competitive an agent’s fees are. You should also be wary of agents whose rates seem too low – and make sure you find out what is included in an agent’s fees.
You will usually have more luck negotiating if you are selling a higher value property, as the agent will still make a good amount even if they set a slightly lower rate.
There are some other costs related to selling your house that you may be liable for. You should also consider these costs when working out the total cost of selling your house in WA.
When you sell your home you will likely need to pay for a removalist, or at least to rent a moving van if you plan on doing the moving yourself. Depending on the size of your home, a removalist is likely to cost between $500 and $3,000.
Depending on the condition of your house, you may need to factor in repair costs, or consider a renovation if you feel it will help get you a better price. These costs can vary a lot based on the work that needs to be done, and can be substantial.
If you’re currently living in the house you are selling, you may need to pay capital gains tax if you’re selling the house for more than you bought it for. See the ATO website for more information on this.
You may have to pay a discharge fee or other costs to your lender for ending your mortgage when you sell your home. In WA, these costs usually range between $150 and $1,000. Talk to your lender to find out more about this.
Ready to choose a real estate agent? Compare Western Australian agents in your area now.
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