Low Commission 1.5% vs Industry Standard 2.5% | Proven Local Results
This page explains how a 1.5% low commission selling fee compares with a commonly quoted 2.5% industry benchmark, and how commission fits into the overall outcome of a property sale.
It includes example fee comparisons, what’s typically included in a full selling service, and how pricing decisions and negotiation approach can influence the final result.
Service accountability: Provided by Andrew McKiggan, Licensed Real Estate Agent (SA) RLA 248695.
Please note: The commission figures shown on this page are examples to help explain how fees are commonly structured.
Actual fees can vary depending on the property, the type of campaign, and the level of service required. In higher-value sales, the effective percentage may be lower.
Commission is only one part of the decision — how the sale is priced, marketed, and negotiated often has a bigger impact on the final outcome.
Your Low Commission Savings Breakdown
Real Savings on Today’s Gawler Home Prices
| Sale Price | Example Benchmark (2.5%) | Our Low Commission (1.5%) | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $700,000 | $17,500 | $10,500 | $7,000 |
| $800,000 | $20,000 | $12,000 | $8,000 |
| $900,000 | $22,500 | $13,500 | $9,000 |
Plus marketing and admin savings: typically an additional $2,000+
💰 Total savings on an average Gawler home: $9,000+
Low Commission Real Estate Savings by Gawler Suburb
Plus additional $2,000+ in marketing and admin fee savings
Based on 2024-2025 sales data from PropertyValue.com.au and CoreLogic. Commission savings calculated on 1% difference (2.5% vs 1.5%)
Why Expert Negotiation Often Pays for Our Entire Commission
With housing supply tight and demand rising across Australia, the first few weeks of a campaign can bring dozens of inspections.
But here’s the truth: What gets you top dollar isn’t marketing alone – it’s your agent’s ability to negotiate.
If you tried to sell your home yourself:
- You’d face legal risks around compliance, contracts, and disclosures
- You’d worry about giving incorrect advice
- You’d be emotionally invested – and that makes it harder to stay objective
- You’d struggle to create buyer competition
As a professional low commission real estate agent:
We’re the calm third party. We do this every day, we’re not emotionally attached to the home, and we’re trained to work multiple buyers against each other to get the best possible price.
The agent who can skillfully work those buyers against each other, create urgency, and push the price up through expert negotiation often recovers their entire commission fee and more.
This is why smart sellers choose professional agents.
Real example: Last month, we helped a Gawler seller achieve $12,200 above their initial asking price by strategically managing four competing buyers over a two-week period. Our commission was $9,700 – meaning our negotiation skills more than covered our fee.
Why Low Commission is Just the Beginning of Your Savings
Here’s what most sellers don’t realize: commission is only one part of the equation – it’s your total outcome that matters.
In today’s market, a small low commission agency like ours delivers the same premium marketing reach as the big franchises – professional photography, top-tier listings on realestate.com.au and Domain, targeted Facebook advertising.
We’re everywhere the large agencies are, but without their massive overhead costs.
But here’s the game-changer: Australia’s housing shortage has created something remarkable for sellers. With limited supply and strong demand, your home opening isn’t just an inspection – it’s a competitive arena.
Your total advantage with our low commission service comes from:
- Lower commission rates – Save $7,000+ compared to major franchises
- Smart marketing spend – Online focus where buyers actually search
- Expert negotiation – Turn buyer competition into higher sale prices
- Honest pricing strategy – Maximize those crucial first weeks on market
- Local market knowledge – Know exactly what Gawler buyers want
Each of these points is detailed below, showing you exactly how we keep more money in your pocket while achieving better results.
Real Case Study: How One Gawler Seller Saved $7,744 with Low Commission on a $525k Property
What a Known Franchised Agency Quoted:
- Commission: 2.5% on $525k sale = $13,125
- Marketing costs: $210 ad writing + $70 floorplan redraw + $185 signboard + $84 brochures + $2,000 legal searches and Form 1 + $1,059inc realestate.com.au + $341inc for Domain + $450 establishment package
- Admin fees: $550 (later “discounted” to $295)
What Our Low Commission Service Delivered:
- Commission: 1.5% on $525k sale = $7,875
- Statutory Searches: $800
- Marketing costs: $1059 realestate.com.au + $341 Domain.com.au = $1400
- Admin fees: $0
Client’s total savings: $7,744inc ✅
| Known Franchised Agency | Gawler East Real Estate | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 2.5% of $525,000 = $13,125 | 1.5% of $525,000 = $7,875 |
| Ad Writing | $210 | Included |
| Floorplan Redraw | $70 | Included |
| Signboard | $185 | Included |
| Brochures | $84 | Included |
| Legal Searches & Form 1 | $2,000 | $800 |
| realestate.com.au Ad | $1,059 (inc) | $1,059 (inc) |
| Domain.com.au Ad | $341 (inc) | $341 (inc) |
| Establishment Package | $450 | Included |
| Admin Fees | $295 (after discount) | $0 |
| Total Cost (inc GST) | $17,819 | $10,075 |
| Total Savings | $7,744 |
“Gawler East Real Estate’s low commission saved me close to $8,000, delivering service that was simply better. Andrew’s professional approach and clear explanations gave us peace of mind, knowing exactly what was happening throughout the process. He made a potentially stressful time incredibly smooth. Couldn’t recommend him enough!”
– P. Smith
With today’s $700k+ average Gawler home prices, your low commission savings grow substantially.
Detailed Cost Comparison: Low Commission vs Competing Agencies
| Service | Competing Agency | Gawler East Real Estate | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission on $700k | $17,500 (2.5%) | $10,500 (1.5%) | $7,000 |
| Admin Fee | $550 | $0 | $550 |
| Form 1 & Searches | ~$2,000 | Included in $800 | $1,200+ |
| Professional Photography | $240–$365 | Comparable pricing by package | $365 |
| Signboard | $200 | Included | $200 |
| Newspaper Ads | $625–$2,500 | Optional, if requested | — |
| Marketing Materials | $84–$220+ | Simple, effective | $220 |
| Facebook Promotion | Extra cost | Included | $200+ |
Total Potential Low Commission Savings: $9,000–$12,000+
Why Gawler Homeowners Choose Our Low Commission Service
- Low Commission Savings – 1.5% commission vs industry standard 2.2-2.5%
- Local Experts – Born and raised in Gawler – we know every street, school zone, and buyer preference
- Premium Marketing – Professional photos, top listings on realestate.com.au & Domain, targeted Facebook ads
- Honest Pricing – No inflated promises, no “conditioning games” – honest market advice from day one
- Expert Negotiation – 25+ years deal-making experience gets you the best possible price
- No Hidden Fees – What we quote is what you pay – no surprise admin fees or upsells
Strategy Over Hype: Why We Don’t Recommend Letterbox Drops
You’ve likely seen agents include “letterbox flyers” in their proposals. But ask yourself – who are they really for?
You’re paying for their local branding – not buyer conversions.
Today’s buyers are online. And that’s where your home needs to be:
- Realestate.com.au (Premier listing)
- Domain.com.au (second largest in SA)
- Facebook local groups & buyer alerts
These platforms are where real buyers are looking. Just like on Google, 91.5% of people never click page two, and the same applies to property searches.
We focus on effective ad placement online, moving past expensive, old-school print ads. While it’s a smaller expense, we believe in a partnership, so if a vendor decides on this option, we’ll split the cost – it helps our visibility too!
The “Listing Game” – What Other Agents Won’t Tell You
Here’s an uncomfortable truth about our industry (even exposed on ABC’s Four Corners):
Many agents play what’s called the Listing Game:
- Promise an inflated price to win your listing
- Watch your home sit on the market for weeks
- Slowly “condition” you to accept a lower price
- Sell at the price it was truly worth all along
By the time it sells, the home has gone stale – and the competition that drives up price is long gone.
Our low commission approach is different. We’re honest from day one, price your property strategically, and use those crucial first weeks to attract serious interest.
That’s when the best negotiation happens.
This industry practice is so widespread it was featured on ABC Four Corners.
Why These Low Commission Savings Matter for Gawler Families
Your $9,000+ savings could mean:
- 💰 Deposit boost for your next home
- 🏖️ Family holiday plus home improvements
- 🏠 Investment property deposit
- 🎓 Kids’ education fund contribution
- 🛡️ Emergency fund security
The bigger your home value, the bigger your low commission savings.
Meet Your Local Low Commission Expert
Andrew McKiggan – Licensed Agent RLA248695
- Gawler Born & Raised – knows every street and suburb intimately
- 25+ years in business and deal-making experience
- Member Real Estate Institute of SA
- Family-run business committed to the local community
- Proven track record of achieving record prices for Gawler sellers
What Our Low Commission Clients Say
“We were blown away by the results! Andrew and his team exceeded our expectations, securing a fantastic sale price for our property in a surprisingly short timeframe. Their marketing strategy was top-notch, and their guidance was invaluable.”
— S & M McDonald, Gawler
“I saved nearly $8,000 and got better service with Gawler East Real Estate’s low commission approach. The professional photos and premium listings were included – not extras. I couldn’t believe the difference, thanks Andrew”
— P. Smith
Ready to Save Thousands? Contact Us Today
Don’t settle for average results. Partner with a local agency that delivers proven outcomes through
smart strategy, expert negotiation, and genuinely low commission.
Many sellers have similar concerns when comparing low commission services to traditional agencies.
The questions below address the most common comparisons, misconceptions, and decision points we see in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Commission Real Estate
Will low commission mean less marketing?
No – we spend your marketing budget smarter, not smaller. Premium listings, professional photos, and targeted digital advertising are all included.
How can you offer 1.5% low commission when others charge more?
We’re a local, family-run business with lower overhead costs. No corporate office expenses, no franchise fees, and we operate efficiently. This allows us to pass the savings directly to you while maintaining the same high-quality service.
Are low commission real estate agents as good as full-service agents?
A low commission real estate agent is a fully licensed professional who chooses to reduce their commission — without reducing service. In fact, many sellers are surprised to find that low commission agents often work harder and smarter to prove their value.
Andrew from Gawler East Real Estate holds a Diploma-level real estate agent’s licence, which qualifies him to legally operate an agency and manage contracts, compliance, and negotiation in full. Many agents operate under a Certificate IV qualification while working within larger agencies, which is far easier to attain under a supervising agency owner.
And here’s an uncomfortable truth exposed by ABC’s Four Corners: many agents play what’s known in the industry as “The Listing Game.” They promise an inflated price to win your listing, let your home sit on the market, and then slowly “condition” you to accept less.
By the time your home sells, the buzz is gone — and so is your best price. We don’t play that game. We give you a smart, market-driven price upfront and use the crucial first weeks to generate strong competition.
Read: The “Listing Game” – What Other Agents Won’t Tell You (as seen on ABC’s Four Corners)
What if my home doesn’t sell with a low commission agent?
We provide honest market pricing from day one — no false promises or “conditioning games.”
Do you provide the same service quality as higher commission agents?
Better. Professional photos, premium listings, expert negotiation, plus thousands in savings.
See our complete service breakdown
Limited Availability – Act Now
We only take on 8 new listings per month to ensure each client gets our full attention and expertise.
With Gawler home prices rising, your potential low commission savings are growing too.
Lock in your 1.5% commission rate today before your neighbors discover what you’re missing.
Licensed and Trusted Low Commission Real Estate Services
Gawler East Real Estate ABN: 31 564 429 203
Fully Licensed South Australian Real Estate Agency (RLA 248695)
Member of Real Estate Institute of SA
Verify our credentials through the official Consumer and Business Services (CBS) public register.
Serving Gawler, Gawler East, Gawler South, Angle Vale, Willaston, Evanston, Munno Para, Hewett, Two Wells, Blakeview and surrounding Northern Adelaide suburbs with professional low commission real estate services.