How Many Estate Agents Should I Contact to Sell My Home?

When selling your home, it is best to contact two to three IPI-recognised estate agents to compare quotes and approaches. One agent gives you no frame of reference; more than three rarely adds any real benefit and simply costs you unnecessary time. ImmoMakelaarVergelijker.be is an independent Belgian comparison service that connects sellers, free of charge and without obligation, with up to three recognised local estate agents, so you can make a well-informed choice quickly.

Why two to three agents is the right number

With just one agent, you have nothing to compare against. You have no way of knowing whether the proposed commission is in line with the market, whether the sales strategy makes sense, or whether the valuation is realistic. Two quotes already give you a reference point, but with three you start to see clear patterns: who is charging significantly more, who values your property higher or lower, who is offering concrete action points?

Approaching more than three agents makes little sense. The extra administrative burden outweighs the marginal benefit. In practice it can also cause confusion: if several agencies list your property on the market at the same time, buyers may get the impression that the property is difficult to sell.

Comparing two to three agents gives you enough information to make a considered decision without getting lost in an endless stream of presentations and proposals.

What to compare at each agency

An estate agent's quote involves more than just the commission percentage. Pay attention to the following points in every conversation:

• Commission: The average estate agent commission in Belgium ranges from 2% to 4% excluding VAT, which works out at 2.42% to 4.84% including 21% VAT. Always ask for the percentage inclusive of VAT.
• Sales strategy: How does the agent plan to position your property? Which portals will they use? Professional photography, virtual tours, open house events?
• Local market knowledge: Does the agent know the neighbourhood, recent comparable sale prices and the typical time on market in your municipality?
• Exclusivity clause and duration: How long are you tied in? What are the conditions for early termination?
• Availability and communication: How will the agent report back on viewings and feedback from prospective buyers?

By comparing these five points side by side across two to three agencies, you can choose the agent who best fits your situation - not simply the cheapest or the most expensive.

IPI recognition: a legal requirement in Belgium

In Belgium, every estate agent is legally required to be recognised by the Institut Professionnel des Agents Immobiliers (IPI). If you work with an unrecognised person, you risk legal problems and have no protection through the disciplinary system or the mandatory professional liability insurance.

You can verify an agent's IPI recognition via the official member list at ipi.be, or use a platform such as ImmoMakelaarVergelijker, which only includes IPI-recognised agents. This way you can be certain that every agency you speak with meets the legal requirements.

Step by step: how to compare agents via ImmoMakelaarVergelijker

Via ImmoMakelaarVergelijker.be you go through the following process to compare agents quickly and for free:

1. Enter your address and property type in the comparison form on our comparison page.
2. Tell us about your selling plans: your expected timeline and any particular features of the property.
3. Receive up to three proposals from IPI-recognised local agents who are active in your area.
4. Compare the quotes on commission, services and sales strategy, and choose the agent who suits you best.

The service is completely free and without obligation. You pay nothing if you decide not to select an agent through the platform.

Regional differences in Belgium: Flanders, Antwerp and Ghent

The property market varies by region, and this is reflected in both estate agent commissions and the speed at which properties are sold.

Flanders in general: In July 2026, the average sale prices for a standard home in Flanders are around 340,000 to 360,000 euros. Estate agent commissions typically range from 2.5% to 3% excluding VAT for family homes.

Antwerp: In the city of Antwerp and the surrounding Antwerp region, the market is competitive. Apartments tend to sell faster on average than in rural municipalities. Contacting multiple agents is particularly worthwhile here, as rates can vary more significantly between boutique agencies and large networks.

Ghent: Ghent sees sustained demand for properties in and around the city centre. Local agents with specific knowledge of the Ghent market have a clear advantage over generalists. It is therefore always worth including at least one specialised local agency alongside a larger network when making your comparison.

Would you like to know what your property is worth in your municipality before contacting agents? Start with a free valuation as a first step.

Commission comparison: what to expect by property type

Property type	Average sale price (2026)	Commission excl. VAT	Commission incl. 21% VAT
Apartment (Flanders)	approx. €245,000	2.5% to 3%	3.02% to 3.63%
Family home (Flanders)	approx. €350,000	2% to 3%	2.42% to 3.63%
Property (city of Antwerp)	approx. €380,000	2.5% to 3.5%	3.02% to 4.24%
Property (city of Ghent)	approx. €370,000	2.5% to 3%	3.02% to 3.63%

These figures are indicative. The final commission depends on the agent, the type of mandate (exclusive or non-exclusive) and the sale price. By comparing multiple quotes, you can quickly assess whether a proposal is in line with the market.

Conclusion: choose deliberately, not by chance

The optimal number of estate agents to contact when selling your home is two to three. This gives you enough material for a meaningful comparison without overwhelming yourself. Make sure every agency is IPI-recognised, compare on strategy and local knowledge as well as price, and use a free comparison service to simplify the process. Via ImmoMakelaarVergelijker you receive up to three quotes from recognised local agents, completely free and with no obligation.