Selling in Perth: frequently asked questions

Selling costs in Perth

How much commission do real estate agents charge in Perth?

Most Perth agents charge between 2% and 2.75% of the sale price, and published industry comparisons put the Perth average near 2.44%. Commission in Western Australia is not regulated or fixed, so it is negotiable, and it is normally payable at settlement rather than at listing. On a $1.5M Karrinyup home, 2.2% is $33,000. C Realty quotes commission after the in-home appraisal so the figure reflects the campaign the property actually needs.

What does it cost to sell a house in Perth?

Budget for four line items: agent commission (roughly 2% to 2.75% of the sale price), marketing production of about $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the campaign, settlement and conveyancing of about $800 to $1,500, and any presentation or repair spend you choose. Sellers in Western Australia pay no stamp duty on a sale. Every C Realty marketing line item is approved by the vendor before it is spent.

Is real estate commission negotiable in Western Australia?

Yes. Commission rates in Western Australia were deregulated and are set by agreement between vendor and agency, so every rate you are quoted is negotiable. The more useful question is what the rate buys: campaign production quality, who personally negotiates your offers, and whether the agent is incentivised on price rather than a fast settlement.

Timing, appraisals and the market

How long does a house take to sell in Perth's northern suburbs?

The Perth market has been averaging roughly 18 days from listing to under-offer, and REIWA reported a metropolitan median near 22 days for houses in 2026. Coastal stock above $2M typically runs longer because the buyer pool is smaller. Settlement then adds a further 30 to 60 days from the date the contract goes unconditional.

What is the difference between an agent appraisal and a licensed valuation in WA?

An agent appraisal is a market opinion of likely selling price, given free by a licensed sales agent and benchmarked against recent comparable sales. A valuation is a formal, legally defensible figure prepared for a fee by a certified practising valuer, and it is what banks, courts and the ATO accept. Use an appraisal to plan a sale; use a valuation for finance, probate or a settlement dispute.

What questions should I ask a real estate agent before listing?

Ask for their sold results in your suburb over the last twelve months, not their listings. Ask what percentage of their appraisal figures the final sale prices achieved, who personally attends your home opens, what the marketing spend buys line by line, when commission is payable, and how offers are presented to you. Then verify the answers on RateMyAgent and REIWA, where sold data is published independently.

Should I sell my house off-market in Perth?

Off-market suits vendors who need discretion, such as separations, relocations and executor sales, or who want to test buyer depth before committing to a public campaign. The trade-off is exposure: a smaller buyer pool usually means less competitive tension, so if your single goal is the highest price a public campaign more often achieves it. C Realty runs both and will say plainly which one your property suits.

Working with C Realty

What suburbs does C Realty cover in Perth?

While C Realty has sold in over 50 suburb locations across Perth, our target areas sit within 5 km of Perth's stunning coastline. These include Trigg, Karrinyup, Doubleview, North Beach, Scarborough, Sorrento, City Beach, Woodlands and more. Focusing on this corridor is how the agency maintains real depth in pricing, buyer pools, and agent-to-agent relationships.

Who is the lead agent at C Realty?

Cina Ghiassi is the founder, director and lead agent. He is a Rate My Agent Award Winner — recognised as a Top 20% agent, Trusted Agent and Price Expert — and holds a 4.9 rating from more than 300 verified RateMyAgent reviews. Cina has resided in Perth's northern coastal community for over two decades and personally walks every appraisal, runs every campaign, and takes charge of your sale.

Is C Realty REIWA-licensed?

Yes. Chris Bursey holds the C Realty licence. The agency operates under the Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978 (WA) and adheres to REIWA professional standards. Trust accounting is managed by the C Realty operations team.

Where is C Realty's office?

2/9 McDonald St W, Osborne Park WA 6017. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00–17:30 AWST; Saturday by appointment. Office phone 0434 935 134. Cina direct 0411 809 708.

Fees, appraisals and timing

How much does it cost to use C Realty?

We're happy to provide commission options you feel comfortable with, while guiding you to the marketing strategy that best suits your property. We're in this together, and our motivation is to get you the best outcome possible. Commission is only paid at settlement of the sale of your property, and all our appraisals, guidance and services are complimentary with no obligation.

Is the appraisal really free?

Yes — free and no-obligation. Our preference is to give you an accurate figure by walking through your property in person, benchmarked against the last 90 days of comparable sales. We understand there can sometimes be restrictions, and a desktop appraisal may be the only option — but either way, we'd love to meet or talk in person to better understand your motivation.

How long does it take to sell a home with C Realty?

While the market averages approximately 18 days from listing to under-offer, we create a tailored marketing strategy to sell your property for the highest price possible — not just the fastest. Prestige stock can run longer; well-priced entry-level stock often runs shorter. Settlement typically takes a further 30–60 days from the date the contract goes unconditional.

What happens between under-offer and settlement?

C Realty's operations team runs settlement end-to-end. Vendors receive a written timeline once the contract goes unconditional, with milestones for buyer finance, valuations, building inspections (where applicable), final inspections, and the settlement/handover date itself.

Campaigns and marketing

What marketing does C Realty include in a campaign?

Standard inclusions are professional stills, drone, twilight and a lifestyle film. Copy and floor plans are produced in-house. Listings appear on REA and Domain with social distribution across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. A signboard is installed for on-market listings. The exact production budget is set in the strategy session and vendors approve every line item.

Does C Realty sell off-market?

Yes. Off-market and pre-market campaigns are routinely offered. They suit vendors who prefer discretion (separations, relocations, executor sales) or who want to test buyer depth before committing to a public campaign. However, if your goal is the highest price possible, a public campaign often achieves the best outcome.

How does C Realty get a higher price than other agents?

Three repeatable mechanisms. First, a strategic campaign that launches your property on the best-performing websites and social platforms, maximising your listing's exposure and sharing it with our in-depth database of buyers. Second, high-quality, tailored content — photos, video, floor plans and signage — that promotes your property to the highest standard, always guided by our recommendation on what suits your home. Third, Cina's skill in creating a competitive environment, managing every stage of follow-up and negotiation, and using precise anchoring to strategically influence buyer expectations, encouraging each buyer to submit their strongest possible offer.

Pricing and the market

What if my price expectations are higher than your appraisal figure?

Would you prefer we hurt you with the truth, or comfort you with a lie? Some agents will “buy the listing” by over-pricing the figures to flatter the vendor — but setting expectations that aren't aligned with the market only disappoints vendors and makes the whole experience negative. We're always open to discussing the value of your property; just keep in mind that words talk, numbers scream.

Can I get a phone-only appraisal?

Yes, but it will be a ball-park figure rather than a more accurate number. Final written appraisals require the in-home walk so Cina can verify condition, orientation, finishes and inclusions against the comparable set. Phone-call ranges are free.

Does C Realty work weekends?

Yes. Open homes run primarily on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Calls to Cina are answered on weekends — there is no junior taking messages.

Contact C Realty