<![CDATA[What is the commission % for agents selling your property?]]>We are selling our pte apt to downgrade to a HDB. An ex-agent friend said standard % for selling pte apt is 1%. But another agent who is eager to market our unit, said the standard is 2%. He also said if there is an interested buyer who has an agent asking for co-broke, we should offer that buyer's agent 0.50% (at our expense). Now shouldn't the cobroke deal be between the agents and agents alone?


First time selling so quite confused. Help please! 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/21509/what-is-the-commission-for-agents-selling-your-propertyRSS for NodeMon, 27 Apr 2026 22:36:44 GMTThu, 21 Apr 2011 02:06:25 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 02 Nov 2017 02:59:25 GMT]]>depends on what extent you’d wanna reno. but generally speaking, you can’t DIY hacking of walls and carpentry work, unless, you’re in the industry to begin with. but simple stuff like painting and basic plumbing

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1812984https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1812984Thu, 02 Nov 2017 02:59:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Mon, 26 Jun 2017 02:29:23 GMT]]>i am thinking of selling my hdb myself if i do get a flat in the sales of balance flats exercise. hope to save on 2% commission to use for renovation.


anyone has experience DIY? is it a tedious procedure?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1780817https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1780817Mon, 26 Jun 2017 02:29:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Tue, 13 Jun 2017 23:42:56 GMT]]>I had just sold away my 4 room HDB flat and had purchased an EA, all with the help of my agent. She is a very committed and responsible agent who had proved to be very competent as well. Very detailed and she looks into all areas when selecting your unit. Thumbs up for my agent. I would gladly recommend her to anyone who have the intention to sell or buy property. Please pm me if you need my recommendation.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1778779https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1778779Tue, 13 Jun 2017 23:42:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:56:27 GMT]]>Commissions for estate agents are always negotiable.


If you are a seasoned investor & know what you need or don’t need, it could simply inform the agent you wish to engage. They can decide for themselves if they would want to pick up the job. There are few hard & fast rules in the industry with regards to charging commission. The only regulation is that we cannot collect monies from both parties (regardless if it is a direct client or co-broking with others).

I’ve met clients who are buyers or tenants and they offer to pay commission. Reasons range from the lack of time/will to source for their ideal property, the wish for someone to represent them because you have a tight financial timeline or they are doing contra (HDB) OR they require professional advice.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1778592https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1778592Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:56:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Mon, 23 Jan 2017 03:11:35 GMT]]>Some are acting on client’s instructions. Not unethical.


I was able to lower the commission significantly with my agent when I instructed him to only deal with direct buyers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1749579https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1749579Mon, 23 Jan 2017 03:11:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:35:33 GMT]]>Hello everyone,


This reply might be a little too late, but as an agent myself I would like to share some things:

Market Practice is Buyers of Private Properties need not pay any commission. However some agents do charge buyers commission, but they can only take from either the buyer or seller, not both. For HDB Buyers, agent usually charge 1%.

For sellers market standard for selling is 2%. If the buyer has an agent usually they will co broke like 1% each.
Yes some agents would do it for 1%, but actually might be a disadvantage to you. Why? Because the buyers agent would not be motivated to bring their buyers to buy your property as they only get 0.5%. Do you know that many developers now pay agents much much more than that. Do you think these buyers agent would rather bring their buyers to buy your property & get 0.5% or convince their buyers to buy a new project & get much more commission?

Also I've come across many unethical sellers agents who are not willing to co broke, they would only want to entertain direct buyers without agents so they do not have to share their commission. This is not acting in the sellers best interest as the sellers would be missing out on many buyers with agents. Hope you guys don't encounter such greedy agents! :xedfingers: Cheers! :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1748260https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1748260Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:35:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:41:12 GMT]]>Nowadays, private properties all above $1m so 1% = $10,000. I still find motivation to at least try to sell the property by myself (which I have done successfully before). Friends may advise otherwise but have these friends even tried to do so?


I dun think the agents can help me get buyers who would pay very much higher coz everyone follows the bank valuation anyway. You think buyers who use agents are silly enough to pay you so much above valuation? Even foreigners are very stingy…

Just received a call from an agent who asked if I was interested to sell my current place and she even said someone already made an offer (I think it’s herself) at a ridiculously low price. I told her I also want to buy if it’s at that price.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/626675https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/626675Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:41:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:42:49 GMT]]>

elderflowertea:
rosemummy:

Hi teddy7171


Yes, that had always been the case. The buyer don't pay any commission for private properties. The seller's agent is always motivated to look for direct buyers, even for HDB (in which case, they can earn commission for both parties). As owners, we just got to learn how to protect ourselves. Go to the agent for the service, but don't rely on them to act in your best interest. Never give exclusive. In this way, the agents are motivated to compete and close the deal faster. You only pay the one who managed to bring you a buyer prepared to pay the price you want. And you are free to also sell it on your own if you chance across a buyer. In my experience, agents don't wait around for direct buyers since they may not get to close the deal if they do so. And if they don't co-broke, others would and they lose the deal.

Wah.. That's like very bad to the agents. Anyone quarrel with the agents over this? Like they wasted so much time and effort to help u source for buyers then in the end, u gave the business to someone else.


Elderflowertea, not agree with you. Seller getting smarter also thanks to some of the agent for not being professional ethic...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/626088https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/626088Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:42:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:46:59 GMT]]>

rosemummy:
Hi teddy7171


Yes, that had always been the case. The buyer don't pay any commission for private properties. The seller's agent is always motivated to look for direct buyers, even for HDB (in which case, they can earn commission for both parties). As owners, we just got to learn how to protect ourselves. Go to the agent for the service, but don't rely on them to act in your best interest. Never give exclusive. In this way, the agents are motivated to compete and close the deal faster. You only pay the one who managed to bring you a buyer prepared to pay the price you want. And you are free to also sell it on your own if you chance across a buyer. In my experience, agents don't wait around for direct buyers since they may not get to close the deal if they do so. And if they don't co-broke, others would and they lose the deal.
Wah.. That's like very bad to the agents. Anyone quarrel with the agents over this? Like they wasted so much time and effort to help u source for buyers then in the end, u gave the business to someone else.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/623573https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/623573Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:46:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:13:58 GMT]]>there is no std market rate although market practise is 2% for seller 1% for buyer for HDB

for private property buyer no comm required

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/498726https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/498726Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:13:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:30:10 GMT]]>We paid 1% only and signed One mth exclusive, will let other agent market if he failed to do so at that time.


Do survey the market price around your area and can even pretend as buyer to view similar units near your surrouding to find out the market value and condition…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440634https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440634Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:30:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:16:51 GMT]]>deleted

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440618https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440618Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:16:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:30:21 GMT]]>teddy7171


Well, if you, as a seller, don’t have an agent, the buyer will definitely ask for a lower price. That’s why, in some sense, the buyer is paying for the commission. If an agent brings a buyer, and you don’t have an agent, you’ll have to pay the agent if you want the deal.

The price don’t include the commission. The seller pays it separately to the seller’s agent. But it’s priced in as far as the buyer is concerned.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440030https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/440030Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:30:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:32:33 GMT]]>

rosemummy:
teddy7171:

Hi rosemummy,


Oh, so dont need to pay a cent for getting a private property. :shock: We r looking for a condo lately n my agent is going to charge us 1% if managed to get one.

Aiya, never get to own any private so dun know. Glad to find out now, can save a lot of $$$$.

Sorry, one more question to be sure. My agent will share $$$$ with the seller's agent rite?

Thanks.




Yes, that's correct. In a sense, the buyer is paying the commission as part of the price. But buyer don't have to pay any commission to the agent. The agent wiil co-broke with the seller's agent.

What I would suggest is for you to get some agents to source for properties for you. But don't let that stop you from looking at the Classifieds yourself. There're many properties available and your agent is unlikely going to be in contact with all the sellers or their agents. Seller's agents may also prefer to deal with direct buyers. There're also ads from sellers who do not want to deal with agents. If you're interested in the property, try to negotiate for a lower price ie sharing the commission saved between the 2 parties.

Another point you may wish to note is that tenants do not pay any commission to their agents if the rental is above a certain amount (I can't recall the exact figure - it's around $2,500pm). The agents have to co-broke, or the landlord agent has to get a tenant on their own. If you try renting out yourself, you'll have to pay the tenant's agent. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to get a good corporate lease without going through an agent.

Hi rosemummy,

Oh, so the selling $ of the house is inclusive of the commission for the agent. In another words, I die die still pay commission.

Thanks a lot.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439716https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439716Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:32:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:39:23 GMT]]>

teddy7171:
Hi rosemummy,


Oh, so dont need to pay a cent for getting a private property. :shock: We r looking for a condo lately n my agent is going to charge us 1% if managed to get one.

Aiya, never get to own any private so dun know. Glad to find out now, can save a lot of $$$$.

Sorry, one more question to be sure. My agent will share $$$$ with the seller's agent rite?

Thanks.
Yes, that's correct. In a sense, the buyer is paying the commission as part of the price. But buyer don't have to pay any commission to the agent. The agent wiil co-broke with the seller's agent.

What I would suggest is for you to get some agents to source for properties for you. But don't let that stop you from looking at the Classifieds yourself. There're many properties available and your agent is unlikely going to be in contact with all the sellers or their agents. Seller's agents may also prefer to deal with direct buyers. There're also ads from sellers who do not want to deal with agents. If you're interested in the property, try to negotiate for a lower price ie sharing the commission saved between the 2 parties.

Another point you may wish to note is that tenants do not pay any commission to their agents if the rental is above a certain amount (I can't recall the exact figure - it's around $2,500pm). The agents have to co-broke, or the landlord agent has to get a tenant on their own. If you try renting out yourself, you'll have to pay the tenant's agent. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to get a good corporate lease without going through an agent.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439662https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439662Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:39:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:04:28 GMT]]>Hi rosemummy,


Oh, so dont need to pay a cent for getting a private property. :shock: We r looking for a condo lately n my agent is going to charge us 1% if managed to get one.

Aiya, never get to own any private so dun know. Glad to find out now, can save a lot of $$$$.

Sorry, one more question to be sure. My agent will share $$$$ with the seller's agent rite?

Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439433https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/439433Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:04:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 06:41:23 GMT]]>Hi teddy7171


Yes, that had always been the case. The buyer don’t pay any commission for private properties. The seller’s agent is always motivated to look for direct buyers, even for HDB (in which case, they can earn commission for both parties). As owners, we just got to learn how to protect ourselves. Go to the agent for the service, but don’t rely on them to act in your best interest. Never give exclusive. In this way, the agents are motivated to compete and close the deal faster. You only pay the one who managed to bring you a buyer prepared to pay the price you want. And you are free to also sell it on your own if you chance across a buyer. In my experience, agents don’t wait around for direct buyers since they may not get to close the deal if they do so. And if they don’t co-broke, others would and they lose the deal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437603https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437603Sun, 05 Jun 2011 06:41:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:16:59 GMT]]>For private, the buyer don't pay commission and seller agent can't be paid by buyer. But if they co-broke, they'll have to share the commission with the buyer's agent. So there's incentive for them to sell to their own direct client.


I believe the new guidelines would prohibit the agents for doing this?[/quote]

Hi Rosemummy,

:? Do u mean that for private property, buyer doesnt need to pay agent fee even the buyer has own agent? So both agents split the 1% commission?

If this is the case, seller's agent would control the selling or not selling the property- coz will wait for direct buyer.

Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437299https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437299Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:16:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:03:02 GMT]]>You should have to survey the market and take quotes from different agents and you will find low commission agent quite easily. As i think your agent is asking more commission than others.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437150https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/437150Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:03:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:40:05 GMT]]>Hi,

Property agents will deduct 2% according to the market standard.But there are plenty of agents willing to do at 1%. If they co-broke they pay the co-broke agent out of their commission…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/436731https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/436731Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:40:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:28:12 GMT]]>

hquek:
Canvas,


My family sold off an apartment recently and paid 1%.

Where possible, try to talk to the buyers directly. But agents won't like that.

Someone I know made a lower offer but got the flat (not mine, this is old history). Reason being the seller's agent thought he would earn commission from both buyer and seller. There was a higher offer but the buyer who had his own agent, so the seller's agent didn't tell the owner of the higher offer.

Good luck
For HDB?

For private, the buyer don't pay commission and seller agent can't be paid by buyer. But if they co-broke, they'll have to share the commission with the buyer's agent. So there's incentive for them to sell to their own direct client.

I believe the new guidelines would prohibit the agents for doing this?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405466https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405466Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:28:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:23:05 GMT]]>

Canvas:
Thanks rosemummy. Really appreciate your reply. Now I know what to do.


I am considering selling my unit myself too but my friend told me to be prepared for various \"patterns\" by agents, for example, they may bring their own friends to pretend to be buyers and offer low prices and pressurize me to sell low etc etc.

No offence to honest agents reading this post! 😎
First, don't give exclusive. Second, set your own reserve price and if you are confident that the level you've set is reasonable, don't accept an offer that is lower than that. Third, the indicative price you give to the agents should be higher than your own reserve price to give room for bargaining. If you're firm on your pricing, tell them not to bring any prospective buyers unless they're ok with your price. Get the agents to screen the prospects so you don't waste too much time entertaining viewing requests.

I've never bothered selling myself because a lot of buyers, especially foreigners, do go through agents, and you'll miss out on those prospects. This is particularly the case for private properties. For rental, if you want corporate lease, it's very difficult to do it on your own.

1 tip for you. Never agree to a lower price if they ask. Tell them to make an offer with a cheque for you to consider. In this way, you cut off those trying to push the price down. It can be a downward spiral.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405463https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405463Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:23:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:57 GMT]]>Canvas,


My family sold off an apartment recently and paid 1%.

Where possible, try to talk to the buyers directly. But agents won’t like that.

Someone I know made a lower offer but got the flat (not mine, this is old history). Reason being the seller’s agent thought he would earn commission from both buyer and seller. There was a higher offer but the buyer who had his own agent, so the seller’s agent didn’t tell the owner of the higher offer.

Good luck

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405397https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405397Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What is the commission % for agents selling your property? on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:51:15 GMT]]>Thanks rosemummy. Really appreciate your reply. Now I know what to do.


I am considering selling my unit myself too but my friend told me to be prepared for various "patterns" by agents, for example, they may bring their own friends to pretend to be buyers and offer low prices and pressurize me to sell low etc etc.

No offence to honest agents reading this post! 😎

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405388https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/405388Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:51:15 GMT