Selling your home in Western Australia is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. For decades, homeowners in WA had little choice but to sell through real estate agents. That meant paying large commissions, inflated marketing costs, and often walking away from the settlement table with tens of thousands of dollars less than expected. Today, things have changed. With HomeWest, you have the option to sell privately without an agent, while still gaining access to the same platforms that agents use to attract buyers. This has made selling in WA significantly cheaper than it used to be, and it puts you in control of the entire process.
View Our Sales Package FeesThe Traditional Cost of Selling in WA
In WA, the biggest cost of selling your home has always been commission. Real estate agents in Perth generally charge between 2 and 2.5 per cent of the final sale price. In regional towns such as Bunbury, Geraldton, or Broome, commission rates are often higher, sometimes pushing closer to 3 per cent. On top of that, you will usually pay for marketing, auctioneer fees if you choose to sell by auction, and other add-ons like signboards and brochures. All of this quickly adds up.
For instance, selling a $600,000 property in Perth at 2.5 per cent commission means paying your agent $15,000. If you are selling a $900,000 home at 2.5 per cent, the fee is $22,500. In regional WA, a $750,000 home at 3 per cent means you are handing over $22,500 in commission. Add $3,000 to $6,000 in marketing and extras, and your total cost climbs to $20,000, $25,000, or even $30,000 just to complete the sale.
How Commissions Eat Into Your Profit
Commission is charged as a percentage of your home’s value, which means the more expensive your property, the higher the fee. Yet the work involved for an agent does not change drastically based on the property price. Whether your home sells for $500,000 or $1.5 million, the tasks are the same: advertise the property, host inspections, answer enquiries, and process offers. For this, agents in WA routinely take five-figure sums out of your equity. This system is outdated, and more homeowners are starting to question why it should cost so much to sell.
How HomeWest Reduces the Cost of Selling
HomeWest makes selling your property in WA much more affordable. Instead of paying a percentage-based commission, you pay a fixed package price. That package gives you access to Australia’s leading property websites, including realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. These are the same websites agents use, but with HomeWest you remain in control and avoid the hefty commission. Buyers do not care whether a home is listed by an agent or the owner—they just want to find the right property at the right price. By selling with HomeWest, your listing reaches the same audience without you having to pay tens of thousands to an agent.
You also decide whether to add optional extras such as professional photography, floor plans, or signboards. These services are available at fair and transparent prices, not inflated agent mark-ups. This approach means you only pay for what you really need.
Examples of Savings When Selling in WA
To see the difference clearly, let’s look at some real numbers:
- Selling a $550,000 home in Perth at 2.5 per cent commission costs $13,750. Add $3,500 in marketing, and the total is $17,250. With HomeWest, you could sell for under $2,000, saving more than $15,000.
- Selling a $900,000 property in Fremantle at 2.5 per cent commission costs $22,500. With $4,000 of advertising, the total reaches $26,500. With HomeWest, your cost would be around $2,500, saving you $24,000.
- Selling a $1.4 million property in Broome at 3 per cent commission costs $42,000. Add $5,000 in marketing, and the total is $47,000. With HomeWest, your cost stays around $2,500. That is a saving of nearly $45,000.
These examples highlight how much money you can keep in your pocket by selling privately through HomeWest instead of going down the traditional agent route.
Why More WA Homeowners Are Selling Privately
Private selling has become increasingly popular in WA because it is simple, effective, and affordable. Buyers are no longer relying on agents to find homes. They search online, and as long as your property is listed on the right platforms, they will see it. With HomeWest, your listing appears on the same sites as agent listings, which means buyers will find your property no matter what.
Another reason more people in WA are choosing to sell privately is control. By managing the sale yourself, you set inspection times, respond to enquiries directly, and negotiate on your own terms. You no longer need to depend on an agent whose main priority may be securing their commission rather than getting you the best result. Buyers often appreciate the chance to deal directly with owners, too, because it feels more transparent and personal.
Debunking Common Myths About Private Selling
Some people worry that selling privately will stop them from achieving the best price. In reality, buyers base their offers on comparable sales and market conditions. Whether a home is listed by you or an agent does not change its value. Another myth is that you need an agent’s negotiation skills. With HomeWest, you are supported with resources, guides, and the option to involve your solicitor or conveyancer in the process. As the homeowner, you are often the most motivated to negotiate strongly because you are the one keeping the equity that would otherwise go to an agent.
The Step-by-Step HomeWest Process
Selling your home in WA with HomeWest is straightforward. Here is how it works:
- Select your package: Choose the level of advertising and extras that suit your needs.
- Create your listing: Write a property description, add photos, and highlight your home’s best features.
- Advertise online: Your property is published on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other key websites.
- Manage enquiries: Buyers contact you directly, and you arrange inspections at times that work for you.
- Negotiate offers: Discuss terms directly with buyers, with the support of your solicitor if required.
- Finalise the sale: Your solicitor or conveyancer completes the legal paperwork and ensures the sale is finalised.
At every step, you remain in control, and the savings compared to traditional selling are enormous.
Practical Tips for Selling Privately in WA
If you decide to sell privately, here are some tips that can make the process even smoother:
- Research the market: Check recent sales in your suburb to set a competitive and realistic price.
- Invest in photography: Quality photos make your listing stand out online.
- Highlight lifestyle features: WA buyers often value outdoor areas, proximity to the coast, and lifestyle amenities. Make sure your description reflects this.
- Be responsive: Reply promptly to enquiries. Buyers like knowing you are serious and approachable.
- Offer flexibility: Allow inspections at times that are convenient for buyers, including evenings or weekends if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in WA
Do I need an agent to sell legally in WA? No. You can sell privately as long as a solicitor or conveyancer prepares the legal documents.
Will buyers take me seriously? Yes. Buyers focus on the property itself, not on whether it is listed by an agent. As long as your listing is professional, they will treat it just like an agent listing.
How do I set the right price? Use recent comparable sales, online valuation tools, or order an independent valuation for extra confidence.
What if I need help negotiating? You can consult your solicitor, and HomeWest provides guides to help you handle negotiations with ease.
Can I use professional marketing? Absolutely. HomeWest offers affordable photography, floor plans, and signage without inflated costs.
What if I do not get the offers I want? You are never obliged to accept an offer. You can adjust your price or continue marketing until you find the right buyer.
Do I have to run an auction? No. Many WA homes sell by private treaty. Auctions are optional and not required when selling privately.
Why HomeWest Is the Smarter Choice for WA Sellers
When you compare the traditional costs of selling in WA to the HomeWest model, the benefits are undeniable. Agents charging 2 to 3 per cent can take $15,000, $25,000, or even $40,000 from your final sale. With HomeWest, you can sell for under $2,500 in most cases, achieving the same online exposure as agents while saving tens of thousands. That money stays with you, helping you move forward with confidence.
Selling with HomeWest is about more than saving money. It is about control, transparency, and empowerment. You make the decisions, you communicate directly with buyers, and you secure the best possible result without losing a huge slice of your equity. For homeowners in WA, HomeWest is the smarter, fairer, and more affordable way to sell.