Understanding real estate agent commission in Belgium

The fees charged by estate agents represent a significant amount when a sale is made with their help. They are generally calculated as a percentage of the sale price.

Given that each professional is free to establish his or her own fee structure, it's not surprising to find considerable variations in the commissions charged, which can be as much as double.

Who sets agency fees?

Each agency is free to set its own rates. The only requirement is that it be transparently displayed and not exceeded. This fee schedule must be mentioned in the sales mandate.

It is entirely possible to negotiate these fees, as they are contractual and not fixed by law. When you sign the sales mandate, you can discuss ways of reducing them with the real estate agent.

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How are agency fees calculated?

As a general rule, estate agency fees are graduated according to the value of the property. This means that for a low-value property, the percentage may be as high as 5% exclusive of VAT, and for more expensive properties, the same percentage may fall, to 2% exclusive of VAT, for example.

On average, according to Le Soir, real estate agency fees in Belgium represent 3% of the sale price, excluding VAT.

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Who pays agency fees?

Agency fees are generally paid by the seller, since it is the seller who signs the sales mandate with the agency.

If a buyer has given a property search mandate to a real estate agent, sometimes called a property hunter, the agent is paid by the buyer.

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When are agency fees paid?

The commission is only payable if the sale is successful. The seller or buyer, depending on the option chosen, pays the real estate agency fees when the deed of sale is signed at the notary's office.

No advance or hidden costs can be demanded by the real estate agency during its sales mandate.

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How can I cut agency fees?

Request offers from several agencies

Since real estate agencies are free to set their own fees, you have everything to gain by comparing different agencies. Commissions can vary greatly from one agency to another.

Be careful, however, to compare the services on offer and not just the real estate agency fees.

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Granting an exclusive mandate

The real estate agent will generally be prepared to lower his commission in order to obtain an exclusive mandate. The principle is simple: the real estate agent has exclusive rights to sell the property for a defined period of time.

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During the period of exclusivity, you will not be able to sell your property directly between private individuals or to use another agency, unlike a simple mandate.

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The exclusive mandate guarantees that the agency will receive its commission if the property is sold.

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However, this type of contract is not without risks. If the agent isn't efficient and doesn't invest fully in the sale of your property, you'll have to wait for the exclusivity period to end before you can entrust it to another professional.

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Choosing an alternative to traditional real estate agencies: a digital real estate agency

Today, 90% of searches start on the Internet, with the physical agency becoming less relevant than it used to be. 

At BrickSquare, we've opted to modernize the real estate agent's profession:

• Efficient and transparent digital services for buyers and sellers;
• A team of experienced and dedicated agents will guide you through the sales process from A to Z.

You benefit directly from this optimization of working time and reduced structural costs. We charge a fixed fee of €2,950 or €4,950, depending on the formula chosen, whatever the price of the property up to €1 million.

BrickSquare is not synonymous with low-cost services:

• We provide a precise estimate of your home's value 
• We write a sober, effective and striking advert 
• For the photos, we organize a shooting with a professional photographer. 
• The ad is posted on all the major real estate platforms
• A telephone secretariat handles calls and visit appointments according to your availability. 
• Candidates are screened to select buyers whose project is well thought-out and who already have an agreement in principle on financing from a bank. 
• Our legal teams prepare the notary's file and proofread the documents

In short, while real estate agency fees are greatly reduced, the services offered are premium.

State-of-the-art digital tools

On our website, you have access to a customer platform which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From here, you can follow the progress of your sale, download the necessary documents, select and modify photos, and contact your agent at any time.

A la carte tours

More than 60% of our customers express the wish to actively participate in their home visits. That's why we offer this service as an additional option. This gives you the freedom to choose the formula that best suits your needs.

If you decide to carry out the visits yourself, we'll provide you with detailed advice on the best practices to follow. And, of course, we'll be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

A formula that works

The effectiveness of this method is real: on average, our customers save €7,500 compared with a traditional agency;

Proof that real estate agency costs can be significantly reduced without affecting sales efficiency in the slightest.

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