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Selling with or without an agency in Brussels: the honest comparison
An agency costs 3 to 5% of the price. Selling on your own saves that, but at what cost in time and risk? The numbers-based comparison, no spin.
In Brussels an agency typically charges 3 to 5% of the sale price, plus VAT. On a €300,000 property that is around €10,000 to €18,000. Selling on your own saves that commission, but it takes time, an accurate valuation and command of the legal documents.
What an agency actually does
A good agency is not just a listing. It prices the property against the real market, prepares photos and marketing, screens and runs the viewings, leads the negotiation, and above all secures the documents: EPC, urban-planning information, the preliminary contract, the deadlines. It also brings a buyer database and portal visibility you do not have on your own.
Selling on your own: what you save, what you carry
Selling privately keeps the commission in your pocket. Real, and not trivial. In return, you become your own agent: valuation, photos, listings, calls, viewings on evenings and weekends, direct negotiation, and the responsibility of gathering correct documents. The biggest mistake of the solo seller is not the time lost, it is the wrong asking price, which often costs more than the commission saved.
The honest comparison
| Criterion | With an agency | On your own |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 3 to 5% of the price + VAT | €0 commission |
| Pricing | Professional, market-based | Down to you, risk of over- or under-pricing |
| Time required | Largely delegated | High: photos, listings, viewings, calls |