Marcus Reilly Pricing
I’ve always believed that estate agency should be simple, honest, and transparent. No jargon. No smoke and mirrors. No “contact us for pricing” nonsense. So let me say this upfront: my fee is 2.5% of the final selling price. But if I showed you that by spending, say, £7,500 more on my professional services, I could hand you an extra £42,000 in cash at the end of the process, would you still think that was ‘expensive’? It’s not the 1 or 2% on the fee that matters — it’s the final figure that you walk away with.
This page explains exactly how the fee works, what’s included, and why sellers who compare us with low‑fee agents usually end up choosing the approach that protects their outcome, not just their cost.
Legal Transparency Requirements
Under the National Trading Standards (NTSELAT) Material Information requirements, estate agents must clearly display their fees and any additional costs. Here’s exactly how ours works.
Our Standard Fee
- 2.5% of the final selling price (including VAT)
- Payable only on completion
- No sale, no fee
What’s Included
Everything required to bring your home to market properly and negotiate the strongest outcome is included as standard. There are no hidden extras, no marketing add‑ons, and no charges for photography, floorplans, or viewings.
Contract Type
- Sole agency agreement
- No withdrawal fees
- No long lock‑ins (our agreement length is on a monthly rolling contract)
- No small‑print surprises
Optional Extras
[Insert optional extras if relevant]
Why Estate Agent Fees Vary
Estate agent fees in the UK range from “almost nothing” to “that seems a bit steep”, and there’s a reason for that. Fees vary because the service behind them varies — sometimes dramatically. If you’ve ever wondered why one agent charges 0.9% and another charges 2.5%, it usually comes down to the depth of work involved and the level of responsibility taken for the outcome.
Here are the main factors that influence fees:
Service Level
Some agents offer a light‑touch service: basic photos, a listing on the portals, and a hope that the right buyer appears. Others take responsibility for the entire journey — preparation, marketing, negotiation, and chain management. The fee reflects the difference between “listing a property” and actively managing a sale.
Marketing Quality
Photography, copywriting, launch strategy, and buyer targeting all affect the level of interest your home receives. Strong marketing creates competition. Competition creates better offers. Better offers create better outcomes. High‑quality marketing takes time, skill, and investment.
Negotiation Skill
This is the part most sellers never see — and the part that makes the biggest financial difference. A skilled negotiator can add 1–3% to your final sale price. A junior negotiator, or someone juggling too many listings, usually can’t.
Risk Management
Fall‑throughs, weak buyers, slow solicitors, and chain issues can cost you thousands. Some agents simply pass messages along. Others actively manage the chain, anticipate problems, and keep the sale moving. The fee reflects how much responsibility the agent takes for protecting your outcome.
Contract Type
Sole agency, multi‑agency, and hybrid models all come with different fee structures. Sole agency with a premium service is usually the most efficient route for sellers who want a controlled, well‑managed sale.
Local Market Conditions
In some areas, competition between agents drives fees down. In others, the complexity of the market demands more hands‑on work. Fees tend to reflect the realities of the local selling environment.
In short, fees vary because the work varies. A lower fee doesn’t automatically mean better value, and a higher fee doesn’t automatically mean better service — but understanding what sits behind the number helps you compare agents fairly and choose the approach that protects your financial outcome.
What’s Included in Our 2.5% Fee
A fee only makes sense when you understand what sits behind it. The 2.5% covers everything required to prepare your home properly, bring it to market with impact, and negotiate the strongest possible outcome. There are no add‑ons, no marketing packages, and no “premium upgrades”. This is the full service.
Preparation and Presentation
Good preparation changes the way buyers feel about a home — and how they value it. This includes:
- Advice on presentation and small improvements
- Guidance on staging and layout
- Identifying the features that will matter most to buyers
- Helping you avoid unnecessary spend
[Optional review placeholder: a client praising preparation advice or “getting the house ready”]
Professional Photography and Marketing
Every listing receives editorial‑grade marketing as standard. This includes:
- Professional photography
- Floorplans
- Lifestyle‑led copywriting
- Portal listings with premium placement
- Targeted social media exposure
Strong marketing increases buyer engagement and creates competition — one of the biggest drivers of final sale price. [Optional reference placeholder: e.g., “Rightmove data shows that high‑quality photography increases click‑through rates…”]
Launch Strategy and Demand Creation
A successful sale isn’t just about being “on the market”. It’s about launching in a way that builds momentum. This includes:
- Timing the launch for maximum visibility
- Managing early interest to create competitive tension
- Coordinating viewings to maintain pace
- Positioning the home to attract the right buyers
Skilled Negotiation
This is where the real financial difference is made. Negotiation includes:
- Qualifying buyers properly
- Managing multiple offers
- Securing the strongest price and terms
- Protecting your position throughout the process
A well‑handled negotiation can add significantly to your final outcome.
[Optional review placeholder: a client mentioning achieving a higher price or strong negotiation]
Chain Management and Progression
Once a sale is agreed, the work doesn’t stop. This includes:
- Liaising with solicitors
- Monitoring progress
- Anticipating delays
- Keeping the chain moving
- Reducing the risk of fall‑throughs
Fall‑throughs are one of the most expensive and stressful parts of selling a home. Active chain management is one of the most valuable parts of the service.
Communication and Support
You’ll always know what’s happening and why. This includes:
- Regular updates
- Clear explanations
- Straightforward advice
- A single point of contact
[Optional review placeholder: a client praising communication or feeling supported]
Everything above is included in the 2.5% fee. No extras. No upgrades. No surprises.
Comparison Table: Low‑Fee vs Premium Service
Not all estate agency services are built the same. A lower fee often means a lighter‑touch approach; a higher fee usually reflects deeper involvement, stronger marketing, and more experienced negotiation. This table shows the typical differences.
[Optional review placeholder: Insert a short client quote that highlights the difference they felt compared with other agents]
