Summary
- UK fees run 0.75–2.5% plus VAT; US commission is commonly 4–6%.
- Judge valuations against three comparable sold prices.
- Negotiate an eight-week tie-in and short notice period.
- Remove ready, willing and able purchaser clauses.
- Ask who conducts viewings and how buyers are financially qualified.
Quick answer
In the UK, high-street estate agents charge 0.75–2.5% of the sale price plus VAT, with online agents charging a fixed £900–2,500. In the US, total realtor commission is commonly 4–6%, though commission arrangements have become more negotiable and are now agreed separately with buyer and seller representation.
Fee structures
| Model | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK sole agency | 0.75–1.75% + VAT | Most common |
| UK multi-agency | 2–3% + VAT | Higher fee, wider exposure |
| UK online / fixed fee | £900–2,500 | Often payable whether or not you sell |
| US listing side | 2–3% | Negotiable |
| US buyer side | 2–3% | Now negotiated separately |
| Photography / floor plan | Usually included | Confirm in writing |
| Premium portal listing | $150–600 / £100–500 | Optional add-on |
On a mid-priced home, the difference between 1% and 1.5% is real money — but a weak agent costing 1% who sells for less than the market will cost more than the saving.
Reading a valuation
Ask each agent for three comparable sold prices in the last six months, not asking prices. Sold data is public in both markets. An agent whose valuation sits well above the comparables is buying your instruction and will ask for a price reduction in six weeks, by which time your listing is stale.
Ask directly: what would you price it at for a sale within eight weeks, and what would you price it at to test the market?
Contract terms that matter
Questions to ask at the valuation
Summary
Compare fee, contract length and sold evidence together, not the valuation alone. Aim for a shorter tie-in, remove ready-willing-and-able clauses, confirm VAT, and choose the agent who can show comparable sales close to the price they are quoting you.