Selling your home in the Australian Capital Territory is a major financial decision, and for decades, it was also an extremely expensive process. Homeowners across Canberra and surrounding suburbs often feel trapped by the traditional model of working with real estate agents. High commissions, marketing packages that were marked up, and added auction fees made selling costly and stressful. Thankfully, there is now a better way. With HomeWest, you can sell privately without an agent while still advertising your property on the same websites that agents use. This has made selling a home in the ACT significantly cheaper than it once was, and it has given homeowners far greater control over the entire process.
View Our Sales Package FeesThe Traditional Cost of Selling in the ACT
Real estate agents in Canberra and surrounding areas generally charge between 2 and 2.5 per cent of the final sale price in commission. Some agencies may offer slightly lower rates in highly competitive suburbs, but most homeowners pay between these figures. In addition, you are usually expected to cover marketing expenses. This includes professional photography, floor plans, online advertising upgrades, brochures, and sometimes auctioneer fees. The total can quickly climb into the thousands.
Let’s look at some examples. If you sell a $750,000 home in Canberra at 2.5 per cent commission, you will pay $18,750. If you sell a $1 million home at 2.25 per cent commission, the fee is $22,500. On a $1.4 million property at 2 per cent, you hand over $28,000. Add marketing costs of $3,000 to $6,000, and your total bill can easily reach $25,000 to $35,000. That is money you could have kept in your pocket.
Why Commissions Take So Much of Your Equity
The traditional commission system is based on percentages, so the higher the value of your home, the more you pay. The problem is that the amount of work an agent does does not increase in the same way. Whether your home is worth $600,000 or $1.6 million, the agent will still take photos, create a listing, answer enquiries, and arrange inspections. Yet the fee you pay skyrockets based solely on your property’s value. This can take tens of thousands of dollars from your final profit, making it harder to move forward financially.
Agents also tend to encourage auction campaigns in the ACT. While auctions can be useful in certain circumstances, they add costs. Auctioneer fees, additional advertising, and campaign materials often push the total bill even higher. By the time your home is sold, you could be left wondering why such a large portion of your equity has disappeared.
How HomeWest Makes Selling More Affordable
HomeWest offers a smarter way to sell. Instead of paying a percentage of your sale price, you pay a fixed price package. That package includes your listing on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other major platforms. These are the exact same websites agents use, which means buyers will see your property alongside agent-listed homes. The only difference is that you keep the thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to an agent as commission.
With HomeWest, you are the one who manages enquiries, inspections, and negotiations. You have the option to add extras like professional photography or signboards, but you only pay for what you want. Everything is transparent, affordable, and designed to help you maximise your profit.
Examples of Savings in the ACT
The savings you can achieve by selling with HomeWest are dramatic. Consider these comparisons:
- Selling a $650,000 home in Canberra at 2.5 per cent commission means $16,250 in agent fees. Add $3,000 in marketing, and your total is $19,250. With HomeWest, your cost might be under $2,000, saving you over $17,000.
- Selling a $950,000 property at 2.25 per cent commission costs $21,375, plus $4,000 in advertising. The total is $25,375. With HomeWest, you could sell for around $2,500, saving nearly $23,000.
- Selling a $1.5 million property at 2 per cent commission costs $30,000. Add $5,000 in marketing, and the total is $35,000. With HomeWest, your cost stays close to $2,500. That is a saving of more than $32,000.
These numbers show why more homeowners in the ACT are choosing to sell privately rather than lose a huge slice of their equity to commission fees.
Why More ACT Homeowners Are Selling Privately
Private selling has become increasingly popular in the ACT because buyers no longer depend on agents to find homes. Almost every buyer begins their search online. If your property is listed on realestate.com.au or domain.com.au, they will find it. With HomeWest, your listing has the same reach as an agent’s listing, giving you the same exposure without the costs.
Another reason ACT homeowners are selling privately is control. You set inspection times, answer enquiries directly, and negotiate on your own terms. Buyers often appreciate the opportunity to deal with owners because it feels more transparent and less pressured. You know your property better than anyone else, and you can highlight its features in a way that an agent might not.
Dispelling Myths About Private Selling
One of the biggest myths is that you cannot achieve the best price without an agent. The truth is that buyers base their offers on comparable sales, location, and property condition, not on who manages the listing. Another misconception is that negotiations are too difficult for homeowners. In reality, you are the most motivated person to get the best result. With the guidance of HomeWest resources and support from your solicitor or conveyancer, you can handle negotiations with confidence.
Another myth is that buyers won’t take private sellers seriously. In fact, buyers care about the home, not who lists it. As long as your listing is professional and well presented, they will treat it just like an agent listing.
The HomeWest Step-by-Step Process
Selling with HomeWest is straightforward and easy to follow. Here’s how it works:
- Choose your package: Select the advertising package that suits your needs and budget.
- Create your listing: Upload photos, write a description, and showcase your property’s best features.
- Advertise online: Your listing goes live on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other key websites.
- Manage enquiries: Buyers contact you directly, and you arrange inspections at times that suit you.
- Negotiate offers: You negotiate directly with buyers, supported by your solicitor if necessary.
- Finalise the sale: Your solicitor or conveyancer prepares the contract and completes the legal process.
This process puts you in control and allows you to save thousands compared to the traditional agent model.
Tips for Selling Privately in the ACT
If you are considering selling privately in Canberra or the surrounding areas, here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Research the market: Look at recent comparable sales in your area to set a realistic asking price.
- Use professional photography: High-quality photos make a huge difference to how your listing looks online.
- Highlight lifestyle benefits: Canberra buyers often value proximity to schools, workplaces, public transport, and lifestyle amenities. Make sure your listing reflects these.
- Be responsive: Reply quickly to enquiries to show buyers that you are serious and organised.
- Be flexible with inspections: Offer times that suit buyers, including evenings or weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in the ACT
Do I need an agent to sell legally in the ACT? No. You can sell privately. You just need a solicitor or conveyancer to prepare and manage the legal paperwork.
Will buyers respect a private sale? Yes. Buyers care about the property, not who lists it. If your listing is professional and online, they will take it seriously.
How do I decide on an asking price? Research recent sales, use online valuation tools, or order an independent valuation if you want added certainty.
What if I need help negotiating? You can ask your solicitor for support, and HomeWest provides resources to help you understand the negotiation process.
Can I still use professional marketing? Yes. HomeWest offers extras like photography, floor plans, and signage at transparent prices.
Do I have to run an auction? No. Many ACT homes are sold by private treaty, and you are free to choose the method that suits you best.
What if I don’t 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 ACT Sellers
Agents in the ACT typically charge 2 to 2.5 per cent commission plus thousands in marketing fees, which can add up to $20,000 to $40,000. With HomeWest, you can sell your property for under $2,500 in most cases. You get the same exposure, reach the same buyers, and achieve the same result, but you keep tens of thousands of dollars in your own pocket.
Selling privately with HomeWest is about more than just saving money. It is about taking control of your sale, working directly with buyers, and protecting your equity. For homeowners in Canberra and the wider ACT, HomeWest offers a modern, affordable, and empowering way to sell.