When you sell your home through a traditional real estate agent, you pay a percentage of your final sale price as commission. In Melbourne and across Victoria, that typically ranges from 1.6% to 2.5%, plus marketing costs. On a $900,000 property, that is between $14,400 and $22,500 — before you factor in advertising.
There is now a genuine alternative: a fixed-fee Collings Property Advisory service at $4,500 + GST that gives you professional guidance, pricing strategy, and negotiation support without a percentage-based commission.
The Real Numbers — Commission vs Fixed Fee
| Sale Price | Agent at 2% | Agent at 2.5% | Collings Advisory | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $600,000 | $12,000 | $15,000 | $4,950 (inc. GST) | $7,050 – $10,050 |
| $750,000 | $15,000 | $18,750 | $4,950 (inc. GST) | $10,050 – $13,800 |
| $900,000 | $18,000 | $22,500 | $4,950 (inc. GST) | $13,050 – $17,550 |
| $1,200,000 | $24,000 | $30,000 | $4,950 (inc. GST) | $19,050 – $25,050 |
| $1,500,000 | $30,000 | $37,500 | $4,950 (inc. GST) | $25,050 – $32,550 |
What Does a Traditional Agent Actually Do for That Commission?
Traditional agent services typically include:
- Property appraisal and pricing recommendation
- Listing coordination and photography
- Portal listings on realestate.com.au and Domain
- Open for inspection management
- Buyer enquiry handling
- Negotiation on your behalf
- Contract coordination
What agents do not always tell you: most of this work takes 3-6 weeks on an active listing. The per-hour rate on a $20,000 commission for a $900,000 property is extraordinary — and your interests are not always perfectly aligned.
What Does a Collings Property Advisor Provide for $4,500?
- Comparable sales analysis and market value assessment
- Pricing strategy — not just a number, but a campaign strategy
- Campaign structure recommendations (private sale, auction, expressions of interest)
- Marketing review and presentation guidance
- Buyer qualification coaching
- Negotiation strategy and offer management support
- Contract guidance in conjunction with your solicitor
- Ongoing availability throughout your sale
You stay in control of the process. We give you the expertise, the data, and the strategy to make every decision with confidence.
When Is a Traditional Agent Still the Right Choice?
Be honest about this. A traditional agent makes sense when:
- You have no time to be involved in the sale process at all
- The property is complex, unique, or requires specialist marketing
- You are relocating interstate or overseas and cannot be present
- You want full-service representation and are comfortable with the commission cost
For everyone else — especially sellers who already understand the market, have some buyer interest, or simply want expert guidance without paying a percentage of their largest asset — a Collings Property Advisor is worth serious consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fixed-fee advisor as good as a full-service agent?
A property advisor is a different kind of service — not a substitute for full representation, but a professional who gives you the expertise and strategy to manage your sale more effectively. For sellers who are capable and involved, the outcomes can be equal or better, at a fraction of the cost.
Can I use a Collings Property Advisor and still list with a marketing-only agent?
Yes. Many sellers use a listing-only or marketing-only agent for portal access and photography, and then use a Collings Property Advisor for pricing strategy and negotiation guidance. This gives you the best of both worlds at a significantly lower total cost.
Are agent commissions negotiable?
Yes — agent commissions are always negotiable in Australia. There is no regulated minimum or maximum. However, negotiating a lower commission does not always mean better service, and the incentive structure of percentage commissions can still work against sellers in some circumstances.
Why Collings?
Collings has helped Melbourne property owners navigate sales, purchases, and negotiations for over 30 years. We created the Property Advisory service to give sellers who do not need full representation access to genuine expertise at a price that reflects the value delivered — not a percentage of their asset.
Get Started — $4,500 + GST Fixed Fee
Find out whether Collings Property Advisory is right for your selling situation. Book a free 15-minute discovery call.
Visit collings.com.au/portal to get started.
Find your next property with Collings
Track suburbs, get matched to on-market and off-market listings, and manage your whole property search in one place. Access the Collings property portal.
