Selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Yet when it comes to choosing an estate agent, many sellers focus on one number above all else: the fee. And on the surface, that makes sense, why pay more than you have to?
But here’s what that surface-level thinking misses: the fee structure your agent works under directly shapes how motivated they are to work for you. And that motivation, or lack of it, can make a significant difference to both the price you achieve and how quickly you achieve it.
“The fee structure your agent works under directly shapes how motivated they are to work for you.”
THE CASE FOR COMMISSION
Commission-based fees (typically a percentage of your final sale price) have been the industry standard for good reason. When your agent earns more by selling your home for more, their goals and yours are perfectly aligned. There’s a real financial incentive for them to understand your local market inside out, build a pipeline of active buyers, produce compelling marketing, and negotiate hard on your behalf right up to the finish line.
At DCRE Lets, we know that every neighbourhood has its own rhythm. Sale prices shift street by street, and understanding those micro-pockets is what separates a good result from a great one. That depth of knowledge takes time, effort, and genuine investment, exactly the kind of effort that a commission model rewards.
THE FIXED-FEE PROBLEM
Fixed-fee agents (common among online and hybrid agencies) present an appealing headline. A set fee, often paid upfront, feels transparent and affordable. But the math works differently than it first appears.
When an agent receives the same fee regardless of outcome, there’s little financial reason for them to push harder, stay later, or hold firm in negotiations. They’re not penalised for a slow sale or a lower offer, and if you’ve already paid upfront, they already have their money before your home has sold.
We regularly speak with sellers who came to us after months on the market with other agencies, properties that had gone quiet, viewings that had dried up, and prices that had slowly drifted downward. In almost every case, applying a focused, tailored approach saw those same homes sold within weeks, frequently at or above market value.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The property market is genuinely competitive. When buyer demand outstrips supply, it takes more than a listing on a portal to generate the kind of interest that leads to a closing date and competing offers. It takes market knowledge, buyer relationships, and an agent who’s actively working your sale, not passively waiting for enquiries.
A commission-based agent who achieves a higher sale price earns more, yes, but so do you. That’s the point. A well-negotiated sale that closes quickly puts significantly more money in your pocket than a discounted fee that costs you thousands in the final price.
“You don’t just want an agent who lists your property. You want one who sells it.”
At DCRE Lets, that distinction drives everything we do. If you’re thinking about selling, or you’ve been on the market longer than you’d like, we’d love to have an honest conversation about what’s possible.
DCRE Lets, speak to our team today about your property and what it could realistically achieve.
