Start a boutique real estate sales agency
Run your own licensed agency selling homes in your local suburbs, earning commission on each sale.
- A$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small, locally focused agency that lists and sells residential property. You appraise homes, market them online and in print, run inspections and auctions, and negotiate between buyers and sellers. Many start lean with a home office and meet clients at the properties.
Your first three steps
- Check your state or territory regulator for the qualifications and experience needed for an agent's licence, and start the required course
- Choose a suburb or two, study recent sales and work out how you will stand out against the big franchises
- Price out insurance, a trust account, listing portal fees and a CRM, then build a cash buffer to cover at least six months
Who pays
Home owners selling a property. The seller pays the commission and agreed marketing costs.
How it makes money
A commission on the sale price, paid when a sale settles. Income is lumpy: a few good months can be followed by quiet ones, so you need savings to cover slow periods.
Skills that help
- Negotiating and selling
- Knowing your local property market
- Clear communication and trustworthiness
- Organising inspections, contracts and paperwork
Watch out for
- A real estate agent's licence is required to run an agency, and requirements differ by state and territory, so check your regulator
- Trust account and record-keeping rules are strict, and breaches can lose you your licence
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, plus any compulsory fidelity or compensation fund contributions in your state
- Income is irregular and commission only, so plan your cash flow carefully
- Check advertising, auction and cooling-off rules in your state, and whether council approval is needed to work from home
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: boutique real estate sales agency
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a real estate agency in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your state, licensing and insurance, marketing and how lean your setup is. Many start with a home office and meet clients at the properties.
How much can a boutique real estate agency earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many properties you sell and your local market. Income is commission only and irregular, so it pays to plan your cash flow carefully.
What licences and rules apply to running a real estate agency?
Check that you can get a real estate agent's licence, as requirements differ by state and territory, and ask your regulator. Also check trust account and record-keeping rules, insurance requirements, and advertising, auction and cooling-off rules in your state.
Other ways to run this business
Similar business services ideas
Refurbished mailing equipment and servicing
Sell and service reconditioned folders, inserters and mailing machines for offices and mail rooms.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local flexible workspace agency
Run a small agency that finds serviced offices for growing firms across your city and takes commission from operators.
- A$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small recruitment agency serving outsourcing companies
Run a small team from a shared office, placing staff with several outsourcing clients and building repeat fee income.
- A$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local tax and small business office
Run a small shopfront or office doing tax returns, BAS and bookkeeping for local individuals and small businesses.
- A$6k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Rural water treatment supplier
Visit farms and rural homes to test tank, bore or dam water and supply filters, UV units and treatment chemicals.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Arcade and pool table placement route
Place pool tables, arcade games and claw machines in local venues and share the takings.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Photo: Schluesseldienst on Pixabay