LocalAgentFinder provides you with the tools to compare and select the right agent to best suit your needs.
When it comes to selling property, the commission rate you pay can make a massive difference and is the largest cost associated with a property sale. Today we'll discuss everything you need to know about NSW real estate agent fees, so you know what's in store when you sell your property.
As you probably know, New South Wales is home to Australia's most populous city, Sydney. Over the past couple of years, the average real estate commission rates in NSW have remained low in comparison to the rest of the country and relatively flat year on year. However, when you take a closer look at pre-pandemic Sydney in 2019, commission rates had increased slightly since mid-2018. This is due to falling property prices and real estate agents protecting themselves in light of changing property market conditions.
The New South Wales market is deregulated, meaning there is no standard practice when it comes to allocating commission and fee rates. There are also no legal regulations that specify what real estate agents can charge when selling property. More often than not, these fees are driven by several key factors, including:
If you're selling an unusual property or an expensive property that will only appeal to a small selection of buyers, the agent will have their work cut out for them. Therefore, their commission is higher due to the extra time and effort involved.
As you will see below, the average NSW real estate commission rate differs substantially between rural and city real estate agents. This is due to the supply and demand of agents. A populated area like Sydney has more agents, which means greater competition and, therefore, generally lower rates. Meanwhile, rural areas have fewer agents, which equals less competition and higher commissions.
A newer real estate agent may have a lower commission rate compared to an experienced agent. Do your research via LocalAgentFinder to find a quality agent with recent sales similar to your property who knows the local market and offers a reasonable commission.
The bar chart below highlights how the NSW average commission rate compares to the rest of the country.
| State | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| SA | 1.94% |
| NSW | 2.01% |
| VIC | 2.00% |
| ACT | 2.17% |
| WA | 2.32% |
| QLD | 2.56% |
| NT | 2.49% |
| TAS | 2.71% |
The average commission rate in NSW is the third lowest in Australia at 2.01%, sitting above Australia's lowest average, South Australia at 1.94%, and Victoria at 2.0%. Over the past two years, the average commission rate in New South Wales has remained relatively flat. As mentioned, NSW's low rates compared to the rest of the country can be attributed to the higher levels of competition in inner-city Sydney and larger rural towns such as Newcastle. This is in comparison to smaller states like Tasmania and the Northern Territory, where they have fewer high-density areas and thus less competition
It's important to remember that not all agents include their marketing and advertising fees in their commission rate. Whatever way your agent chooses to charge their commissions and fees in New South Wales, make sure you know how to negotiate this if required. Many agents are willing to negotiate their fees and commissions.
As mentioned, it's good news if you're currently selling a home in New South Wales when it comes to real estate agent commission rates and fees. NSW has a below-average rate of commission, and this is especially true in Sydney. With a property market slowdown currently occurring in many areas of New South Wales, finding the best real estate agent and ensuring you get the best possible price for your home is essential.
Real estate markets differ significantly in NSW, and this is due to the changes in economic activity, which impact locations in different ways. Below is an outline of how regional areas compare to metro areas in NSW, which will help you understand the commission trends in NSW.
| City | Ave. Commission Rate | Lowest Rate | Highest Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 1.87% | 1.00% | 3.30% |
| Regional | 2.39% | 1.10% | 3.90% |
We believe that it’s just as important to know how to find an agent who understands local conditions as it is to find one who charges affordable fees. Commission rates are important, but they're not everything. Your agent should have more than simply a competitive commission and fees rate – a good agent will also have a sound marketing strategy and strong sales history.
At LocalAgentFinder, we have expert knowledge of the current real estate market and we stay up to date with important data, figures, and trends to give you the very best possible advice.
Here are some tips we’ve learnt along the way to help you with selling your home.
If you’re thinking of selling your property in New South Wales, you’ll want every possible chance to make the process as stress-free as possible. At LocalAgentFinder , we can help with some of the heavy lifting. Here are some facts about us to help you better understand how we work:
If you’re selling your home in New South Wales and want to have a chat, feel free to contact us. We have a fully operational Australian based call centre, so if you have a question, call us on 133 033.
Some NSW real estate agents include marketing fees within their commission, and other agents will charge it as an additional cost. It's a good idea to request a breakdown of marketing costs from your real estate agent before you sign on to ensure you'll get the most bang for your buck. However, depending on the property value, marketing and advertising costs vary widely, ranging from $2500 to $12,500 or 0.5 to 1% of the property value.
Experienced agents will create an extensive print and online marketing campaign that targets your key buyer demographic. The more potential buyers who know your property is for sale, the likelihood you'll sell for the highest price possible. Therefore, the marketing costs should include the following:
Related article: What Sort of Marketing Costs Should I Expect When Selling a Home?
Similar to marketing fees, some real estate agents will charge an auctioneer fee on top of the commission amount. This is for the professional auctioneer's services on auction day. An auctioneer fee generally sits at around the $600 mark.
Home staging is the process of preparing your home for inspections, professional photos and auction day. Home staging services may involve simple styling tips all the way to furnishing your home for the duration of the selling campaign.
A good real estate agent will either be able to give you Home staging advice themselves, generally as a part of their commission, or may connect you with professional home stagers in your area.
In NSW, home staging costs can range from $2000 to $8000 depending on the level of service, property size and the campaign's duration. We recommend getting tips from your real estate agent as a first step and hiring a professional based on their recommendation.
Solicitors in NSW typically charge between $700 and $1300 for legal and conveyancing costs.
Other potential fees to be aware of when your property sells include moving costs, capital gains tax and a mortgage discharge fee, which can be between $150 and $1000.
Absolutely! You are within your rights to negotiate the commission a real estate agent charges if you believe it's above average or doesn't reflect the current market conditions. Work on your negotiation skills, then speak to a few local agents to see if they're flexible.
While speaking to the agents competing to sell your home, remember to ask what's included in their commission rate. It's also beneficial to mention that you're speaking to a few prospective agents because agents will typically negotiate if they know they're competing with other agents.
Knowing the agent's fees, commission and performance in your suburb before you meet them puts you in a great position to negotiate. LocalAgentFinder's leading online comparison platform, selling guide and agent questionnaires gives you access to this information, contact details and more.
There are two main commission structures: fixed fee versus commission. As the name suggests, a fixed-fee real estate agent charges a predetermined rate. So the agent will get the same flat fee commission whether a property's final sale price is $250,000 or $750,000. The main reason people choose fixed fee agents is that the fee is generally significantly lower than regular agent commission rates. Secondly, houses don't typically stay on the market for long, as agents need a high turnover to earn a decent salary.
The other commission structure is a percentage fee of the final amount the property sold for, as discussed in length above. However, there's also a tiered commission structure to be aware of. This is when a real estate agent gains an extra commission, like a bonus, based on the final sale price. It's an incentive for real estate agents to work hard to get a higher sale price. For example, the agent's commission might be 1.75% for a sale price below $700,000, 2% for a price up to $750,000 and 2% plus a bonus if over $750,000.
To determine average commission rates, LocalAgentFinder took the average commission of all active agents respectively September 2022. This included agents with tiered and fixed commission structures based on a $500,000 selling price. This page was updated on 20 October 2022.