Selling your house in Victoria has always been a significant decision, not only emotionally but also financially. For a long time, homeowners had no choice but to go through traditional real estate agents, paying commissions that could easily take tens of thousands of dollars from their final sale price. Today, the landscape has changed. With HomeWest, you now have the option to sell privately, cutting out the middleman and dramatically reducing the overall cost of selling your home. The result is a process that is simpler, more affordable, and puts you in control from start to finish.
View Our Sales Package FeesThe Traditional Cost of Selling a Home in Victoria
If you have spoken to agents in Victoria, you know that commissions form the biggest chunk of selling costs. In Melbourne’s inner suburbs, commissions are often lower due to competition, sitting around 1.6 to 2 per cent. In regional parts of Victoria, agents usually charge more, typically between 2 and 2.5 per cent. When you translate those percentages into real numbers, the impact becomes very clear.
If you sell a property in Melbourne for $950,000 and your agent charges 2 per cent, that’s $19,000 in commission. If you sell in a regional town for $650,000 at a 2.5 per cent commission, you’ll still hand over $16,250 to your agent. On top of that, you’ll likely face thousands in advertising and marketing charges. Suddenly, your total cost to sell is well above $20,000, sometimes edging closer to $30,000. That’s money that could have gone straight into your pocket or towards your next home.
Why Commissions in VIC Add Up So Fast
Agent commissions sound small when expressed as percentages, but they grow rapidly with property values. As prices in Victoria have risen over the years, so too have the costs of selling. A $1.2 million home in Melbourne at just 2 per cent commission results in a $24,000 fee, while $3,000 to $5,000 more is often added for marketing. Even in smaller regional towns, the proportional cost is enormous when you consider what an agent actually does. Much of their job is listing your property online, taking calls, and opening the front door for inspections. It’s hard to justify paying them $20,000 or more for such tasks.
How HomeWest Changes the Cost of Selling
HomeWest gives you the ability to take control and cut out those excessive fees. Instead of paying a percentage of your final sale price, you pay a simple fixed package price. Your property is still advertised on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au, the same websites agents rely on, but you avoid handing over thousands of dollars in commission. You remain in control, you deal directly with buyers, and you choose the level of marketing that suits your needs and budget.
This approach can save you anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the value of your home. More importantly, it keeps the process transparent. You know exactly what you’re paying, and there are no hidden markups or inflated costs that agents often add to marketing bills.
Examples of Savings When Selling in Victoria
Let’s look at real numbers. If you sell a $900,000 property in Melbourne with a 2 per cent commission, you’ll pay $18,000. Add $4,000 in marketing, and the total reaches $22,000. With HomeWest, you can list your property with a package starting under $1,000. Even if you add photography, a floor plan, and premium advertising, your cost is closer to $2,000. That means you’re saving at least $20,000 on the same sale.
Now imagine you’re selling a property worth $1.5 million. With an agent at 2 per cent commission, you’ll pay $30,000 in fees, plus $5,000 in advertising. That’s $35,000 gone. With HomeWest, your costs remain around $2,500. That’s a saving of over $32,000—enough to pay for stamp duty on your next purchase or fund renovations in your new home.
Why Homeowners in Victoria Are Choosing to Sell Privately
More homeowners in VIC are realising that selling privately isn’t just about saving money—it’s also about empowerment. You already know your home better than anyone else. You understand its best features, its location advantages, and the lifestyle it offers. By selling privately, you get to communicate this directly to buyers instead of relying on an agent to tell your home’s story.
Buyers often prefer dealing with homeowners too. It creates a more open, transparent line of communication and often leads to quicker decisions. By removing the middleman, you make the process smoother for both sides.
Marketing Without the Mark-Ups
Traditional agents love to recommend expensive marketing campaigns, often including print ads, glossy brochures, and costly auction campaigns. These services can add thousands to your bill, and in many cases, they’re not even necessary. Today’s buyers are online, and the majority start their search on property websites. With HomeWest, you advertise directly on those platforms at a fraction of the price. You can choose to add photography, floor plans, or signboards if you wish, but you’ll never be forced into spending money on services that don’t deliver results.
Step-by-Step: Selling Your Home With HomeWest
Here’s how easy it is to sell your home in Victoria using HomeWest:
- Select your package: Choose the level of advertising that suits your budget and property.
- Create your listing: Upload your photos, write your description, and highlight the features buyers care about.
- Go live online: Your property appears on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other major sites where buyers are looking.
- Manage enquiries: Buyers contact you directly. You arrange inspections at times that suit you.
- Negotiate offers: You discuss terms directly with buyers. You can involve your solicitor or conveyancer for support.
- Finalise the sale: Once you accept an offer, your solicitor completes the legal paperwork, and the sale is finalised.
This process keeps you in charge while saving you thousands. At no stage are you pressured by an agent to accept an offer quickly just so they can collect a commission.
Addressing Concerns About Private Selling
You might be wondering if selling privately is too much responsibility. With HomeWest, it’s not. You’re given all the resources and support you need, including legal templates, marketing tools, and professional services if you choose to add them. You’ll find that the process is more straightforward than you might expect, and you’ll gain confidence with each step.
Some people believe agents are better negotiators, but as the homeowner, you have the strongest motivation to get the best price. You can take your time, consider offers carefully, and seek professional legal advice without the pressure of an agent pushing you to settle quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in VIC
Do I need an agent by law in Victoria? No. You are completely free to sell your property privately, provided you use a licensed solicitor or conveyancer to prepare the legal documents.
Will buyers take me seriously? Absolutely. Buyers care about the property, not who is listing it. If your home is marketed well online, they’ll treat your sale the same way they treat an agent’s.
How do I decide the right asking price? You can review recent comparable sales, use online property valuation tools, or even request an independent valuation if you want added reassurance.
What about open inspections? You’re free to hold them yourself at times that suit you. Many buyers find it refreshing to deal directly with owners rather than waiting for agent schedules.
What if I change my mind? You remain in full control. If you decide not to proceed, you’ve only spent a small amount on your listing, not tens of thousands in non-refundable commission fees.
Why HomeWest Is the Smarter Choice for VIC Sellers
At the end of the day, the cost of selling your home in Victoria depends on whether you choose the traditional path with an agent or take control with HomeWest. With an agent, you’re likely to spend $20,000 to $35,000 in commissions and marketing. With HomeWest, you’ll likely spend under $2,500 for the entire process. The difference isn’t just significant—it’s life-changing. That money could go towards your next deposit, pay for renovations, or help you cover stamp duty.
With HomeWest, selling is no longer about handing over a big chunk of your equity to someone else. It’s about empowering you, giving you the tools to connect directly with buyers, and ensuring you keep more of your hard-earned money. For homeowners in Victoria, this is the smarter, more affordable way to sell.