- An agent's fee is usually a percentage of the sale price, paid after the transaction.
- With an exclusive agreement, the agent can invest more in marketing.
- Don't compare rates – compare the scope of services and how much you actually keep after the sale.
The question of commission comes up in almost every first conversation. That's good, because you need to know the cost. But it's worth looking at it together with what you get and how much you keep after the sale.
How the fee is calculated
The most common arrangement is a fee calculated as a percentage of the sale price, plus VAT, payable once the sale agreement is signed. The amount depends on the property price, the scope of services and the type of agreement. In the premium segment, terms are usually agreed individually.
What you pay for
- valuation and sales strategy,
- checking the documents and legal status,
- preparing the interior and home staging,
- photo shoot, film, reels and campaign,
- reaching buyers in the database and off-market,
- viewings, negotiations and coordinating the paperwork right up to the notarial deed.
Exclusive versus open agreements
With an open agreement several agencies handle the listing, but none has a reason to invest more in it than in any other. With exclusivity one person is responsible for the result, can fund full production of the materials and control how the listing appears on the market. That is why I usually work exclusively on premium apartments.
When the commission pays off
When the agent's work raises the price or shortens the sale by more than the fee. For example, a 3% difference on a PLN 1.5 million apartment is PLN 45,000. If good preparation, materials and negotiation move the price by that much, the commission is more than covered – and you save dozens of hours of work.
How to compare agents' offers
Ask exactly what the fee covers, who pays for the shoot and the film, how reporting works and what happens if the sale falls through. The lowest rate doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
Premium real estate agent in Wrocław. She sells apartments and houses, handles off-market transactions and works with clients from abroad. More about me
