Selling in Sydney: How to Choose an Agent and What You Should Pay
Selling in Sydney? Sydney has some of the highest property values in the country, which means even small decisions carry big dollar consequences. The agent you choose, the commission you agree to and the terms you sign can easily swing your result by tens of thousands of dollars.
What Sydney agents charge
Sydney metro commission typically sits between 1.8% and 2.5% of the sale price, with the median around 2.1%. Because Sydney prices are high, percentage differences matter enormously. On a $1.5 million property, a 1% difference in commission equals $15,000.
Marketing is on top. Photography, styling and advertising are separate from commission and typically range from $3,000 to $12,000. Some agents quote all-inclusive packages that bundle marketing into commission, and a 2.6% all-in rate can be better value than 2.0% plus $9,000 of marketing charged separately. Always compare the total cost, not the headline rate.
Know your rights under NSW law
NSW gives sellers protections that many don't know about.
You have a cooling-off period. After signing an agency agreement there's a cooling-off period of one business day in which you can cancel it, with Saturday counted but public holidays excluded. It ends at 5pm on the next business day or Saturday, so an agreement signed on a Friday can be cancelled until 5pm Saturday. Be cautious if an agent asks you to sign a waiver form. There's rarely a good reason to give up that time.
Long agreements can be ended. If the fixed term is longer than 90 days, you can terminate with 30 days' written notice after the initial 90 days. Better still, negotiate a shorter exclusive period from the start.
Rebates must be disclosed. For residential property, the agreement must identify the source and estimated amount of any rebates, discounts and commissions the agent may receive in connection with the expenses you pay. If an agent profits from your marketing spend, you're entitled to know.
Paperwork comes first. A residential property can't be advertised until a contract of sale has been prepared, so engage your conveyancer early to avoid delays.
How to choose the right Sydney agent
Sydney is dozens of distinct markets. An agent who dominates in the Eastern Suburbs may know little about selling a family home in the Hills District or a unit in the Inner West. Ask for their sales in your suburb over the last 12 months, the gap between their first price guide and final results, and how many listings they're currently running.
Be wary of the highest appraisal. Overquoting to win a listing, then conditioning your expectations downward over the campaign, remains the most common complaint sellers have. Ask each agent to walk you through the comparable sales behind their figure.
And ask who will actually run your campaign. In large Sydney agencies, the principal who pitches isn't always the person at your open homes.
Let us do the hard part
Our Agent Select Vendor's Advocate service appraises your property independently, shortlists Sydney agents with a proven record in your suburb, runs the interviews with you and negotiates commission and agreement terms. There's no fee to you; the chosen agent pays us a referral fee that we disclose in writing upfront. For full campaign support, Sale Managed is a flat $3,500.
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