With or without an estate agent: the short answer
Short answer: An estate agent takes marketing, viewings and negotiation off your hands and brings market knowledge — in return a commission applies, usually 5 to 7 per cent incl. VAT, varying by region, as of 2026. A private sale saves these costs but takes a lot of time and carries the risk of mistakes. The right choice depends on your time, experience and the property.
The question of with or without an estate agent is often decided solely on the commission. That falls short. Selling a house involves valuation, professional preparation of the documents, marketing, managing many enquiries, viewings, vetting prospective buyers and finally the negotiation and the notary appointment. Each of these steps costs time and can become expensive if mistakes are made.
For context: Prefabricated House does not sell anything itself and does not place listings. On request, we connect you with vetted contacts (e.g. estate agents in your region) and support you with independent guides — free of charge and without obligation.
Pros and cons in direct comparison
| Aspect | With an estate agent | Without an estate agent (private) |
|---|---|---|
| Time required | Low — the estate agent handles appointments, enquiries and documents | High — you organise listings, enquiries and viewings yourself |
| Pricing | Market knowledge and experience with comparable properties | Own research required, risk of pricing too high or too low |
| Reach | Access to portals, a client database and existing prospects | Limited to your own listings and personal network |
| Legal certainty | Support with documents and contract preparation | You bear responsibility for complete and correct information |
| Costs | Commission, usually 5 to 7 per cent incl. VAT, varies by region, as of 2026 | No commission, but effort and potential cost of mistakes |
| Negotiation | A neutral third party negotiates, emotional distance | You negotiate yourself, often emotionally attached to your own home |
What a private sale really costs in time and risk
A private sale saves the commission but demands real effort. You research the realistic price, obtain and check documents such as the land register extract, energy performance certificate (Energieausweis) and floor plans, draft a compelling listing, answer enquiries and coordinate viewing appointments. Over several weeks this quickly adds up to many evenings and weekends.
On top of the time required comes the risk. A price set too high leaves the property unsold, one set too low gives away proceeds. Incomplete or incorrect information can later lead to disputes with the buyer. Checking the buyer's ability to pay and ensuring a clean process up to the notary appointment are also solely your responsibility. How this succeeds step by step is shown in the guide to selling a house privately.
When an estate agent pays off
An estate agent pays off above all when you lack time, experience or emotional distance. Anyone who is in employment, sells from a distance or has a property that needs explaining benefits from professional marketing and negotiation. An experienced estate agent knows the local market, filters out unsuitable enquiries and can achieve a higher or faster sale that outweighs the commission.
A private sale, by contrast, makes sense for simple, easily comparable properties in a sought-after location, when you have time and feel comfortable with documents and negotiation. Calculate honestly: the difference in proceeds and the value of your own time matter more than the pure level of the commission. You will find details on commission and other items under costs and taxes when selling a house.
How to make the decision
Instead of looking at the commission alone, honestly assess three questions. First: how much time can and do you want to invest over several weeks? Second: how confident do you feel about pricing, documents and negotiation? Third: how sought-after is your property in the current market? The scarcer your time, the greater the uncertainty and the more the house needs explaining, the more this speaks in favour of an estate agent.
Weigh the possible difference in proceeds against the commission and the value of your own time. An experienced estate agent can achieve a higher or faster sale through better marketing and negotiation that outweighs the costs. If you lack this advantage because the property is simple and demand is high, a private sale can be the more economical choice. There is no blanket answer — the calculation is always individual.
Unsure which route suits you?
Request a vetted estate agent recommendation for your region and then decide at your leisure — free of charge and without obligation, with no commitment whatsoever.
Request a vetted estate agent recommendationFrequently asked questions
Is an estate agent worthwhile when selling a house?
An estate agent is worthwhile above all when you lack time, market knowledge or experience with contract documents. They take over marketing, viewings and negotiation and can avoid mistakes that cost more than the commission. For simple properties and a lot of personal initiative, a private sale can pay off instead.
How high is the estate agent's commission when selling a house?
The estate agent's commission is usually 5 to 7 per cent of the purchase price including value-added tax and varies by region, as of 2026. Since the statutory regulation, buyers and sellers of owner-occupied residential property usually share the costs. You agree the exact amount individually in the estate agent contract.
