OpenAgent compares real estate agents and given how rarely home owners engage one, this service comes in very handy. They compare agents on sales results and reviews so you hire the best professional to maximise your sales price.
OpenAgent helps you find the right and best agent by comparing them on their recent sales performance, appraisals, experience, negotiation skills and what past clients say about them.
They work hard to find high-quality agents who work hard for their vendors. They intelligently use data and customer reviews to match you with local agents who have a proven track record for selling properties just like yours.
RateMyAgent is a website designed to help buyers and vendors identify and research the performance of real estate agents and agencies through comparative reviews and data. They compare top-rated real estate agent reviews and ratings of the best Realtors, insurance and mortgage brokers.
LocalAgentFinder is a copy cat site.
Agent Select does more or less the same thing, but without the same number of agents to compare.
Get an estimated property value based on the most comprehensive data in Australia.
Discover the prices of similar properties that have recently sold nearby.
Understand how your local market impacts your property value.
Find out how fast properties around yours sell.
As Australia’s #1 real estate agent comparison site, they help over 2 million Australians* research agents every year.
They do the research so you don’t have to. It takes just 2 minutes to search and request results for your suburb.
Their service is 100% free to use. There are no hidden costs or fees, ever. Even their phone consultations are 100% free.
To get things right from the start, they will ask you a series of questions that allows them to understand you, your unique situation and your property. They take an individualised approach to your property and your situation so they can match you with the right agent for you.
They intelligently use unique data and customer reviews to match you with local agents who have a proven track record of selling properties just like yours. They firmly believe that by matching you with the right agent, you can sell your home for tens of thousands more.
You’ll receive a personalised no-obligation shortlist which explains why each agent has been recommended for you. Then it’s up to you to decide who you want to work with. You’re not left hanging; we’ll be with you every step of the way until your house is sold.
“I sold my house for $120,000 more than what I expected” – Anne McDonald, Melbourne, VIC
“We were lucky enough to get $208,000 above the reserve” – Lisa Gilbert, Melbourne, VIC
“We sold our house for about ten thousand dollars above reserve” – Rebecca Carton, Brisbane, QLD
“We sold our house within four weeks and got a great price – $100,000 more than I was expecting” – Peter Kosmina, Sydney, NSW
Calculate the average real estate commission in your area
Commission is the fee you pay to your real estate agent when they sell your property. As it tends to be the largest single cost in selling your home, it’s important to understand how commissions work.
Real estate commission rates aren’t regulated and are set by individual agents, which means they can vary from suburb to suburb as well as between agents within a suburb. While the difference between 2.0% and 2.5% may not seem like a lot, this can actually mean thousands of dollars difference in what you pay your real estate agent.
There are two main options when it comes to commissions: fixed commission and tiered commission.
Fixed commission is the traditional method when it comes to calculating commissions. It’s based on the sale price multiplied by the negotiated commission rate. For example, if you were to sell a home for $600,000 and were charged a commission rate of 2.5% you’d pay $15,000 in commission ($600,000 x 2.5%).
A tiered commission rate is based on performance, and is used as a way to encourage real estate agents to get a higher sale price. For example, let’s say you expect a sale price of $830,000. Instead of going for a flat 2.5% commission rate, you could agree on paying a lower rate of 2.0% under $830,000 and a higher rate of 6% on everything above $830,000. This means the agent has a greater incentive to achieve a price above your expected sale price.
It is possible to negotiate on commissions. It’s worth seeing a few agents in your area to see what they are including in their commission rate as not all agents structure their fees the same way. For example some agents include some advertising as part of their commissions rate.
When comparing agents, look at their past history of sales and experience to see if they are right for you. You might be willing to pay a slightly higher commission if they have a proven track record of selling above market rate. As mentioned above, tiered commission rates are also a great negotiation tool to get you the best price result on your sale.
Commissions aren’t the only cost involved in selling your home. Some other costs can include; advertising and marketing, an auctioneer, your solicitor or conveyancer, any lender fees, moving costs and any pre-sale renovations you might want to make. Have a look at our fees guide to find out more on each of these.
The agent you choose to sell your home can make or break the sale. So of all the decisions you need to make, picking the right agent is the one that makes the biggest difference.
So when you’re looking for an agent it’s vital to do your research and create a shortlist. Don’t have time? Just tell us a little about your property and we’ll send a personalised shortlist of the top agents in your area.
Once you have a shortlist of potential agents it’s a good idea to interview each one. This way you can compare your thoughts based on the facts.
While each agent may look similar at face value, once you start asking the right questions you’ll find a range of commissions and fees. Are they fixed or are they negotiable? Do they include marketing and advertising? Make sure you ask the right questions so that you know exactly what you’re in for.
To find the right agent it’s essential to compare them on their recent sales performance, appraisals, experience, negotiation skills and what past clients say about them.
Ultimately you need to be sure that the agent is a good fit for your expectations and desired results. Appoint someone with a great track record who is willing to communicate with you as you see fit, and remember to always read the fine print.
The agent you choose is going to represent you and your property, so it’s important that they understand your local market, are in touch with active buyers and understand what marketing strategies work best in your neighbourhood.
While you might get recommendations from family and friends, be sure to do your own research to ensure so you’re considering all top agents in your area.
Their service is 100% free for vendors.
When a property is sold, the successful real estate agent pays OpenAgent a referral fee, which is at a standard industry rate of 20% of the agent’s commission. It enables them to offer their services at completely no cost to the homeowner.
In order to give you the best outcome, it’s important to us that all parties’ interests are aligned. That is why we only get paid when the agent is paid once your house is sold.
No – when working with them, agents need to agree to their terms and conditions, which explicitly highlight that they cannot pass on the referral fee to the vendor (you).
If you already have a working relationship with an agent, don’t worry, they won’t be charged.
It’s important to them that you feel free to still speak to them about your agents so you have the peace of mind that you’ve made the right choice.
Open Agent is Australia’s largest comparison service, they help more than 20,000 Australians home owners research agents every month. Their mission is to help everyday Australians to make great decisions about the real estate agent they’ll entrust with their most important financial asset.
