List of estate agencies: how to find the right agent for your property

Putting together a good list of estate agencies takes time. Which agency knows your neighbourhood best? Who charges a fair commission? And is the agent actually IPI-accredited? In this article you will find out what to look for, what the differences between agencies are, and how to quickly make the best choice when selling your property.

Why comparing a list of estate agencies pays off

Many sellers go with the first agent they know from a poster or a board in the street. That is understandable, but not always the smartest approach. Agency commissions in Belgium typically range between 2% and 3.5% of the sale price, excluding VAT. On a property worth 350,000 euros, that difference can quickly add up to more than 5,000 euros.

On top of that, local market knowledge varies considerably from one agency to the next. An agent who has been active in your municipality for twenty years knows the going prices and the buyers who are actively looking in your area. That translates into a shorter selling period and a better final price. A thorough comparison of several agencies is therefore not a luxury - it is a logical first step.

IPI accreditation: the basic criterion in any list

In Belgium, every real estate agent must be accredited by the Institut Professionnel des Agents Immobiliers (IPI). Without that accreditation, an agency is not permitted to act as an intermediary in the sale of real estate. You can easily verify accreditation through the public database at ipi.be.

When drawing up a list of estate agencies, IPI accreditation is the very first selection criterion. Agencies that operate solely as a "property consultant" or cannot produce a licence number are immediately ruled out. This protects you as a seller, because accredited agents are bound by a code of professional conduct and compulsory professional indemnity insurance.

What else to watch out for when evaluating agencies

Beyond accreditation, there are a number of practical points that make the difference between a good and a less effective agent:

• Local presence: does the agency have a physical office in your municipality or the surrounding area? A local presence points to market knowledge and an active buyer network.
• Advertising channels: does the agency list properties on Immoweb, Immovlan and Logic-Immo, and does it have its own website with up-to-date listings?
• References and reviews: recent Google reviews or testimonials from sellers give an honest picture of what working with the agency is like.
• Transparency about costs: does the agent require an exclusivity contract? How long does it run? Are there start-up costs or charges for photography and floor plans?
• Communication style: does the agency respond quickly to your first enquiry? That is a good indicator of how they will keep you informed throughout the sales process.

All these elements together determine whether an agency deserves a place on your personal shortlist.

How IMV helps you build your list

Putting together a complete and reliable list of estate agencies yourself takes hours of research. Through ImmoMakelaarVergelijker you can compare up to three IPI-accredited agents in your area, completely free of charge and with no obligation. You indicate where your property is located and what type of property it is, and IMV selects the most suitable local agencies based on experience, reviews and local activity.

You then only contact the agents who appeal to you most. You are not tied to anything and do not have to call a single agency you have not chosen yourself. That saves you not only time, but also the unwanted calls from agencies you never expected to hear from.

Would you also like to know straight away what your property is worth? You can use our free valuation tool to get an initial indication of the market value, so you go into your conversations with agents well prepared.

National chains or independent local agencies?

When drawing up a list of estate agencies, you will inevitably face the question: do you go for a national network such as ERA, Century 21 or Sotheby's, or do you opt for an independent local agency?

Both have their pros and cons. National networks offer name recognition, standardised processes and sometimes a wider buyer reach through internal platforms. On the other hand, personal follow-up at larger agencies can be less intensive. Independent local agents often know every street in their working area and sometimes build up years-long relationships with buyers and sellers in the region.

The Belgian property market in 2026 remains active despite the higher interest rates of recent years. Properties in sought-after municipalities around Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp still find buyers relatively quickly, although the average selling period has risen slightly compared to the peak years of 2021-2022. In a market like this, local knowledge is once again a real asset.

Step by step towards your own shortlist

Want to get started yourself? Follow these steps:

1. Note down the agents active in your street or neighbourhood based on for-sale boards and recent listings on Immoweb.
2. Check the IPI accreditation of each agency at ipi.be.
3. Read recent reviews on Google or Facebook.
4. Request a no-obligation valuation from at least two or three agencies.
5. Compare not only the estimated sale price, but also the commission rate, the length of the exclusivity contract and the approach to marketing and viewings.

Or skip steps one through three and let ImmoMakelaarVergelijker do the pre-selection for you. That way you get to agents who can demonstrably deliver results in your municipality much faster.

Frequently asked questions

Finding a good agent starts with the right comparison. Whether you want to sell a flat in Ghent, a family home in the Kempen or a villa on the coast: the local market calls for a local expert. Build your personal list today through ImmoMakelaarVergelijker and set the sale of your property on the right track.