How much do estate agents charge to sell a house?

Estate agents charge a fee, usually a percentage of your agreed final sold price. Some agents have a fixed fee or minimum fee. Percentage fees usually range from 0.75% to 3.5%. Fees vary per agent.

Do estate agents charge VAT?

Yes, always check your contract and fees stated may be excluding VAT.

Do you pay estate agent fees if your house doesn't sell?

It depends on the agent’s agreement, but most agents operate on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis.

What is the average estate agent fee in Liverpool?

Average estate agent fees in Liverpool are between 1% and 1.5% plus VAT.

Is a fixed-fee estate agent cheaper?

Potentially. It all hinges on how much your property is valued at. If your property is worth £300,000, a standard 1% fee would be £3,000. If you opted for a fixed fee agreed at £1,500, this would save you £1,500. If your property is valued on or under £150,000, there may not be much difference in price. Fixed fees can sometimes be due upfront rather than on completion.

How Much Are Estate Agent Fees in the UK?

When selling a property, there are several fees to consider. Estate agent fees in the UK can be one of the largest costs when selling a property. Fees vary depending on location, service level and the agreement you have with your estate agent.

So, if you are wondering “how much are estate agent fees”, most UK estate agents charge around 1% to 1.5%+VAT for sole agency agreements, although some estate agent fees UK sellers can expect to pay range from 0.75% to 3% depending on circumstances.

What Are Estate Agent Fees?

We have a number of customers ask us “How much does it cost to get an agent?”.

When you sell your property with a traditional estate agent, you pay them an estate agent commission fee (usually an agreed fixed percentage of your property’s final agreed sold price. Some estate agents have a minimum fee, so if the figure agreed on the valuation is lower than a certain amount, a set monetary fee is required.

Fees are usually payable upon completion of the property sale. Some estate agents operate a ‘no sale, no fee’ policy.

Online agents such as Yopa or Purplebricks tend to charge a flat fixed fee between £500 and £1,500, paid upfront or on completion.

How Much Do Estate Agents Charge?

Average Estate Agent Fees in the UK

Another factor to consider when assessing how much estate agent fees are is whether you’re selling with a sole agent or multiple agents.

Typically, sole agency fees are less expensive, at around 1% to 1.8%.Whereas, multi-agency fees where more than one agent is advertising your property for sale, tend to be around 2% to 3.6%. View the table below showing pros and cons for sole agency vs multi agency fees and services.

If you’re wondering how much do estate agents charge, the answer will depend on whether you choose an online, hybrid, or traditional estate agent.” View the table below which shows the kind of fees you can expect from a traditional estate agent.

Property Value	1% Fee	1.5% Fee	2% Fee
£200,000	£2,000	£3,000	£4,000
£300,000	£3,000	£4,500	£6,000
£500,000	£5,000	£7,500	£10,000

Figures should note that VAT may apply separately.

What Services Are Included in Estate Agent Fees?

One of the most common questions sellers ask is: how much are estate agent fees when selling a property in the UK? The next frequently asked question being: what do I actually get for my money?

Estate agency fees cover the work the estate agent performs to sell your property.

This includes accurate property valuation, marketing of the property (including photography, videography, social media and advertising on portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket), conducting viewings, sales negotiation and sales progression.

When comparing estate agent fees, Liverpool homeowners should look beyond the percentage fee and consider the agent’s track record and marketing strategy. It’s important to check with the estate agent what’s included in your fee, and what marketing and exposure they will provide in the service. The cheapest fee isn’t always the best value. You may get more marketing coverage with agents charging a slightly higher fee.

Sole Agency vs Multi-Agency Fees

Sole Agency

Selling your property through one estate agent.

Lower fees
One point of contact
Exclusively marketed
Higher marketing investment

Multi-Agency

Selling your property through more than one estate agent.

Higher fees
Wider exposure
Reaching multiple buyer networks
Works well for unique properties

See below the pros and cons of selling by both sole and multi agencies.

Sole Agency	Pros	Cons
One estate agent instructed	Usually lower fees than multi-agency agreements.	Relies on the performance of a single agent.
	Clear accountability – one agent is responsible for the sale.	Less exposure if the agent has a limited buyer database or marketing reach.
	Consistent marketing, pricing strategy, and communication.	If the relationship isn’t working, you may need to wait until the contract period ends before switching.
	Buyers deal with one point of contact, reducing confusion.	Potentially less urgency from the agent if they know they are the only agent instructed.
	Easier to manage viewings, feedback, and negotiations.	May take longer to find a buyer in some circumstances.
	Often allows for stronger negotiation on fees.

Multi-Agency	Pros	Cons
Two or more estate agents instructed simultaneously	Increased market exposure through multiple databases, branches, and marketing channels.	Higher fees, often significantly more than sole agency rates.
	Creates competition between agents to find a buyer first.	Buyers may see the property listed multiple times, which can appear desperate or overexposed.
	Can generate more viewings in a shorter period.	Inconsistent pricing or marketing messages between agents can confuse buyers.
	Useful for unique, high-value, or difficult-to-sell properties where wider reach is beneficial.	Less control over how the property is presented across different portals and marketing materials.
	Reduces dependence on the performance of a single agent.	Agents may be less willing to invest heavily in marketing because there is no guarantee of earning the fee.
	Can create a sense of urgency among agents.	More administration for the seller, including coordinating multiple agents and feedback streams.

Can Estate Agent Fees Be Negotiated?

Sometimes it’s possible to negotiate on fees between the seller and the agent.

Higher property values

A significantly high property price may leave scope to negotiate on fees as the agent’s commission will be a lot higher than their standard property sale

Strong seller’s market

When market conditions favour sellers, they have more flexibility to suggest lower fees with agents due to properties selling fast on the market.

Service packages

It’s harder to negotiate fees if you are receiving a premium package, as agents will have costs involved to achieve maximum exposure through property portals, photographers, videographers and more.

Property appeal

Homes which estate agents deem highly desirable may be open to lower fees, as agents will be motivated by strong demand from potential buyers and a quick sale.

Sole vs multi-agency

It’s easier to negotiate on fees with a sole agent because they have exclusive rights to advertise your property.

Tips for sellers:

Present your property in the best light upon the agent valuation
Opt for a sole agency agreement
Understand what services are included in your package
Ask if there is flexibility on the package
Use property value to your advantage
Know what your priorities are – what do you want out of the sale

Other Costs to Consider When Selling a Property

Estate agency fees are one of the biggest selling house costs to consider when preparing your budget, however there are other costs involved.

Other costs to consider when selling a property:

Conveyancing fees – the legal process of transferring ownership of your property to the new buyer, usually via a solicitor
EPC certificate – a legal requirement when selling residential properties
Mortgage exit fees – Some lenders apply this charge to sellers who pay off their mortgage upon selling their property
Removals – the cost of transporting your belongings from your current property to your new home
Property improvements – investment required to renovate a property

Before choosing an agent, it’s important to know how much are estate agent fees and what services are included. Contact our sales team on 0151 673 1239 to learn what’s included in our sales packages.

Estate Agent Fees in Liverpool and Southport

Curlett Jones covers sales in both Liverpool and Southport. We pride ourselves on being ‘Your Local Property People’, putting our local knowledge and expertise of both these areas at the forefront of what we do.

It’s so important to choose a local agent who knows and understands the market, so they can devise accurate pricing strategies and perform effective sales progression.

Our team have worked in Liverpool and Southport for years, valuing thousands of properties across the North West.

Many sellers compare estate agent fees Liverpool estate agencies charge before deciding which company to instruct, but ensure you compare their experience in your local area before making a final decision. Our team work and live in the city, understanding first-hand buyer demand and trends in Liverpool and its surrounding areas. We know that Liverpool has a unique property market, ranging from family homes in the suburbs to city centre waterfront apartments. Our estate agents in Liverpool are experienced in handling residential sales and investment property transactions to suit the diverse market.

For Liverpool valuations, call 0151 673 1239

Local market conditions can influence estate agent fees Southport sellers are quoted, making it important to compare both service and value. Our Southport team have lived in the town for many years, knowing the town centre and appeal of local villages inside out, making it easy to match potential buyers to homes in specific areas suiting their criteria. We know what attracts buyers to different areas of Southport, from detached family homes in Hillside and Birkdale to Victorian apartments in and around Lord Street. We have also dealt with a number of commercial property sales in Southport.

For Southport valuations, call 01704 537 950

Are Higher Estate Agent Fees Worth It?

Opting for an agency offering lower fees will save you money, but could waste your time. When considering how much are estate agent fees, it’s important to look beyond the headline percentage. An experienced local agent may achieve a higher sale price and faster sale. You are likely to receive more updates and dedicated key contacts at agencies where fees are slightly higher. You can also expect a more premium marketing package

If it’s important to you for your property to be presented in the best light possible at the best price, to receive high-quality customer service, and to achieve a quicker sale, then it’s definitely worth paying an estate agent a slightly higher fee.

To sell your property without using an estate agent at all is very difficult, and can lead to a number of problems down the line. It’s practical and sensible to use an unbiased third-party in the shape of an estate agency to handle everything on your behalf, so that you can minimise stress and emotions at what can be a very sentimental process.

FAQs

How much do estate agents charge to sell a house?
Estate agents charge a fee, usually a percentage of your agreed final sold price. Some agents have a fixed fee or minimum fee. Percentage fees usually range from 0.75% to 3.5%. Fees vary per agent.
Do estate agents charge VAT?
Yes, always check your contract and fees stated may be excluding VAT.
Do you pay estate agent fees if your house doesn't sell?
It depends on the agent’s agreement, but most agents operate on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis.
Can estate agent fees be negotiated?
Yes, there are many circumstances when fees can be negotiated, especially if your property value is significantly higher than average in your local area, if market conditions are in your favour, or if you’re on a sole agency agreement.
What is the average estate agent fee in Liverpool?
Average estate agent fees in Liverpool are between 1% and 1.5% plus VAT.
Is a fixed-fee estate agent cheaper?
Potentially. It all hinges on how much your property is valued at. If your property is worth £300,000, a standard 1% fee would be £3,000. If you opted for a fixed fee agreed at £1,500, this would save you £1,500. If your property is valued on or under £150,000, there may not be much difference in price. Fixed fees can sometimes be due upfront rather than on completion.

Get a Free Property Valuation from Curlett Jones

Whether you’re looking for an instant, desktop valuation, or a more accurate in-person valuation, get in touch with our sales team today or book a free, no obligation valuation today.