Selling your house in Tasmania is one of the biggest financial choices you will ever make. For a long time, the process was expensive because most homeowners felt they had no choice but to hire a traditional real estate agent. Commissions, marketing fees, and auction costs all added up to make selling an overwhelming and costly experience. Thankfully, things have changed. With HomeWest, you can now sell privately without an agent, while still advertising your property on major real estate websites. This shift has made selling in TAS significantly cheaper than it used to be, while giving you more control over the process.
View Our Sales Package FeesThe Traditional Cost of Selling in Tasmania
When you sell through an agent in TAS, the biggest expense you face is commission. In Hobart and Launceston, commissions generally sit between 2 and 2.75 per cent of the final sale price. In regional areas, commissions often rise to around 3 per cent. On top of that, most agents expect you to pay for marketing extras such as professional photography, online advertising upgrades, brochures, and auctioneer fees if you sell by auction. These additional charges can easily reach several thousand dollars.
For example, selling a $600,000 property in Hobart at 2.5 per cent commission means you pay $15,000 to your agent. A $750,000 home in Launceston at 2.75 per cent costs $20,625. A $1 million home in regional TAS at 3 per cent will leave you paying $30,000 just in commission. Add marketing costs of $3,000 to $6,000, and you can easily find yourself spending $20,000 to $35,000 simply to sell your home.
Why Commissions Take So Much of Your Equity
The commission model is flawed because it charges you more as your home value rises, even though the work agents do not scale in the same way. Whether your home is worth $400,000 or $1.2 million, the process is mostly the same: advertise the property, answer calls, arrange inspections, and handle negotiations. Yet you can be charged double or triple the amount, purely because of your home’s value. For many Tasmanian homeowners, this feels unfair, and rightly so. Why should you hand over tens of thousands of dollars when the core of the process can be managed by you?
How HomeWest Changes the Cost of Selling
HomeWest gives you the ability to sell privately with affordable fixed-price packages. Instead of paying a percentage-based commission, you pay a set price that covers your listing on Australia’s largest real estate websites, including realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. These are the same platforms agents use to attract buyers. The key difference is that you keep control of your sale and avoid paying massive commissions.
With HomeWest, you manage your listing, enquiries, inspections, and negotiations. You can choose to add optional extras like professional photography or a signboard, but you never have to pay inflated agent mark-ups. The process is transparent, cost-effective, and straightforward.
Breaking Down the Savings in TAS
Let’s compare the traditional model with HomeWest’s approach:
- Selling a $550,000 home in Hobart with an agent at 2.5 per cent commission means $13,750 in fees. Add $3,500 in marketing, and the total is $17,250. With HomeWest, your cost might be under $2,000, saving more than $15,000.
- Selling an $850,000 property in Launceston at 2.75 per cent costs $23,375 in commission. Add $4,000 in marketing, and the total is $27,375. With HomeWest, you could sell for around $2,500, saving nearly $25,000.
- Selling a $1.3 million property in regional TAS at 3 per cent commission costs $39,000. Add $5,000 in marketing, and your cost is $44,000. With HomeWest, the cost stays close to $2,500. That is a saving of more than $40,000.
These numbers show why more Tasmanian homeowners are now questioning the value of traditional agents and choosing to sell privately instead.
Why More Tasmanians Are Selling Privately
Private selling is becoming more popular in TAS because buyers no longer rely on agents to find homes. They search online, and if your property is listed on realestate.com.au or domain.com.au, they will find it. With HomeWest, your home appears alongside agent listings, giving it the same exposure without the inflated costs.
Another benefit of private selling is control. You decide how to present your home, when inspections take place, and how to respond to offers. Many buyers prefer dealing directly with homeowners too, because it feels more honest and straightforward. Instead of waiting for an agent to return their call, they get immediate answers from you.
Addressing Common Concerns About Private Selling
Some people worry that selling privately will stop them from achieving the best price. This is not true. Buyers base their offers on comparable sales, location, and market conditions—not on whether an agent is involved. Others think negotiation is too complex, but as the homeowner, you are often the most motivated and best placed to secure the right deal. With support from your solicitor or conveyancer, you can manage negotiations confidently.
Another concern is professionalism. Some believe buyers will not take private sellers seriously. The truth is that if your property is listed professionally online, buyers will not care whether it is you or an agent who placed the listing. They are focused on the home itself.
The HomeWest Step-by-Step Process
Selling privately with HomeWest is straightforward. Here’s how it works:
- Choose your package: Select the advertising level and extras you want.
- Create your listing: Write a property description, upload photos, and highlight your home’s features.
- Go live online: Your home appears on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other platforms buyers use daily.
- Handle enquiries: Buyers contact you directly, and you arrange inspections at convenient times.
- Negotiate offers: Speak directly with buyers and agree on terms that suit you.
- Finalise the sale: Your solicitor or conveyancer manages the paperwork to complete the process.
This simple process gives you all the control while eliminating the unnecessary costs of an agent.
Tips for Selling Privately in TAS
To maximise your success when selling privately in Tasmania, follow these tips:
- Do your research: Look at recent sales in your area to set a realistic price.
- Invest in good photography: Listings with quality photos get more attention online.
- Focus on lifestyle: Highlight features that appeal to Tasmanian buyers, such as views, outdoor spaces, or proximity to local attractions.
- Be responsive: Answer calls and emails quickly to show buyers you are serious.
- Offer flexible inspection times: Make it easy for buyers to see your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in TAS
Do I need an agent to sell legally in TAS? No. You can sell privately. The only requirement is that a solicitor or conveyancer prepares the contract and manages the legal process.
Will buyers respect a private sale? Yes. Buyers care about the home, not whether it is listed by an agent. If your listing looks professional, they will treat it seriously.
How do I choose the right price? Use online valuation tools, check recent sales in your suburb, or seek an independent valuation.
What if I need help negotiating? You can ask your solicitor for advice, and HomeWest also provides guidance.
Can I still use professional marketing? Absolutely. HomeWest offers affordable extras like photography and floor plans at transparent prices.
Do I have to hold open homes? No. You can choose to do private inspections only, or hold open homes if you prefer.
What if I do not get the price I want? You do not have to accept any offer. You can adjust your strategy until the right buyer comes along.
Why HomeWest Is the Smarter Choice for TAS Homeowners
Traditional agents in Tasmania typically charge between 2 and 3 per cent commission, plus thousands in marketing. This means you could easily pay $20,000 to $40,000 to sell your home. With HomeWest, you can sell for under $2,500 in most cases. You still reach the same buyers, advertise on the same websites, and achieve the same result. The only difference is that you keep the money that would have gone into an agent’s pocket.
For homeowners in Tasmania, HomeWest offers a smarter, more affordable, and more empowering way to sell. You remain in control, you avoid unnecessary expenses, and you maximise your profit. Selling your home no longer has to be costly. With HomeWest, it is efficient, transparent, and designed to benefit you.