How to Avoid Estate Agent Fees When Selling

Selling your home can be one of the most expensive things you ever do—and a big part of that comes down to estate agent fees, which can suck up a sizeable portion of your sale proceeds. 

It’s clear that business is booming, with the number of estate agents in the UK rising to 49,800 at the start of 2024, according to Statista. But while their services are clearly in demand, their eye-wateringly large fees can come as a shock for many sellers.

In this blog we’ll walk you through the best alternatives to estate agents so that you can weigh up your options, and hopefully keep more of your hard-earned money.

What fees do estate agents charge?

In 2024, the average estate agent fee is around 1.42% (including VAT), meaning for a £300,000 home, you’re looking at about £4,260 in fees. 

But fees vary dramatically. Most traditional estate agents charge between 1% and 3.5% of the sale price, plus VAT. On a £282,000 home—the average sold price in January 2024—that’s anywhere from £2,820 to £9,870, just in fees. 

If you go for a sole agency agreement (where you use just one agent), you can expect fees between 1.2% and 1.8% (including VAT). For a multiple agency agreement (where two or more agents are selling your property), fees usually range from 3% to 3.6% (including VAT).

However you look at it, estate agent fees are a significant cost that could be better spent elsewhere, like on your new home, moving expenses or personal savings. More and more sellers are turning to alternative methods to sell up.

Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid estate agent fees when selling, giving you the freedom to keep more of your hard-earned money. This guide will walk you through the best alternatives to avoid estate agent fees altogether.

Read our How Much Are Estate Agent Fees? blog today for extra information.

How to avoid estate agent fees

If you’re keen to avoid estate agent fees, there are several paths you can take. It all depends on how much time, effort and control you want. Let’s break down your options:

1. Selling privately

Selling your home privately means you handle the entire process, from marketing and viewings to negotiations and legal paperwork. While you avoid estate agent fees this way, it’s harder and more time-consuming than most people realise. 

You’ll need to be comfortable managing the sale yourself and handling all the communication with potential buyers. If you have plenty of time, as well as social media, marketing and people skills, it might be worth exploring.

2. Selling at auction

An auction can be a fast way to sell, especially for homes that are harder to sell through traditional methods. But there’s a catch: auction commissions can be higher than estate agent fees, typically ranging from 2% to 5%.

While auctions eliminate the hassle of waiting for a buyer, there’s no guarantee that a property will sell. Plus, the fees will eat into what you receive after the sale.

3. Selling to a cash house buyer

Cash house buyers have become increasingly popular in recent years as the timescale and stress of selling a home have intensified. 

Selling to a cash house buyer is one of the most straightforward ways to sell your home. They offer a quick, guaranteed sale, with no estate agent fees or drawn-out negotiations. They buy your property directly, often completing the sale in a matter of days. This option delivers certainty and speed, without the need to deal with estate agents or their commissions.

Although cash offers may not be quite as high as on the open market, this option is perfect if you need a quick, hassle-free transaction with no fees, hidden or otherwise.

What about online estate agents?

Online estate agents usually charge lower fees and they usually charge a flat fee—often between £300 and £1,500—regardless of your home’s value. For a £300,000 property, that could mean big savings on fees.

While this can save you a lot of money upfront, there are pros and cons to consider. The level of service won’t be anywhere near the same as with a high-street agent, and local expertise and connections isn’t part of the package.

You’ll also need to do things such as host viewings and take photographs to market your property, both easier than they may at first seem. Plus, you’re often expected to pay the fees upfront, which means you’ll need to find the cash before you’ve been paid for your house’s sale.

Is paying estate agent fees ever worth it?

For some sellers, maybe. Estate agents often appeal because they handle much of the heavy lifting, from marketing to negotiating, and their local market expertise can help secure a higher sale price. They can ensure your home reaches a wider market by listing on popular property portals too.

Estate agents are also well suited to people who aren’t in a rush, or have a lot of patience, as selling a home on the open market currently takes around 5 months on average—and longer if you’re part of a chain.

For sellers with complex, high-price or unusual properties, agents may appeal more, as the challenge of selling may seem greater. It can feel like there’s more at stake, making the fee seem like a small price to pay for achieving a better price overall.

So, for some, it will make sense. But it shouldn’t be the default option—and it’s not the only way.

It’s possible to avoid both the fees and the hassle

If you want to avoid estate agent fees and enjoy a smooth, fast sale, SellHouseFast.co.uk is here to help.

We buy any house across the UK, offering a quick, cash-based solution. Your sale can be completed extremely quickly, providing both convenience and certainty…and no commission.

Whether you need to sell your house fast or simply want to avoid agent fees, get in touch today for a free, no-obligation offer.