PHOTO: FILE
You might expect to pocket a tidy profit from selling your home — but brace yourself. Behind the scenes, the true cost of selling a property in Australia can be tens of thousands more than you bargained for.
From marketing to legal fees, staging to sprucing up the landscaping — it turns out selling a house isn’t just about slapping up a “For Sale” sign and cashing in. So what exactly are you paying for, and which expenses are worth it?
💼 The Big Three: Agent Fees, Marketing & Legal Costs
Ray White’s Bianca Denham says the three unavoidable costs when selling a home are:
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Agent commissions
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Marketing
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Legal fees
Agent commissions typically range between 2% to 3.5% of the sale price — meaning a $1 million home sale could cost you $20,000–$35,000 just in commission.
And while this “success fee” only gets paid once your house sells, marketing costs are due upfront — and they vary dramatically depending on your suburb’s popularity online. You might spend $2,000 to $20,000 on professional photography, video walkthroughs, and premium web listings alone.
Legal costs are the smallest slice of the pie but still add up — averaging between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on state laws and complexity.
You could make big bucks from the sale of your home, but it won’t come cheap.
🛠 Hidden Costs That Can Blow the Budget
What many sellers overlook are pre-sale preparation expenses, which can sneak into five-figure territory.
Real estate veteran Ben Horwood, who sells multi-million-dollar homes in Sydney’s inner west, says vendors typically spend $30,000–$50,000 preparing their homes. This includes:
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House washing
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Interior and exterior painting
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New window furnishings
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Landscaping
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Flooring upgrades
“Paint, landscaping, and styling are the three biggest impact areas,” Horwood explains. “They can boost the home’s appeal by 10%–20% of its value.”
Repainting the house might be worth doing to maximise the sales result.
🛋 Styling: Worth It or Waste of Money?
Designer Justine Wilson of Vault Interiors says home staging — where professionals dress your home to impress — can cost between $4,000 and $8,000, even for a small property.
And don’t assume a partial style is cheaper. It often involves more work in removing and storing the homeowner’s own furniture — potentially leading to double handling fees and extra logistical costs.
Designer Justine Wilson.
🎯 Spend Smart: The #1 Thing You Should Invest In
It might be tempting to cut corners with a cheaper agent or low-cost marketing package, but that can backfire spectacularly.
“The most valuable money you’ll spend is hiring a quality agent,” Horwood stresses. “A good agent gives you expert advice on what to spend money on — and what to skip.”
Hiring a bargain-basement agent who promises the world can lead to overpriced listings, extended time on the market, and eventual price slashes — costing far more than a top-tier agent would have.
Ray White head of performance and recognition Bianca Denham. Picture: supplied
💡 Final Word
Selling a home isn’t just about finding a buyer. It’s about investing strategically to maximise your sale price — and minimise stress.
From commission to curb appeal, the costs can creep up fast. But with the right guidance, smart upgrades, and a trusted agent, you’ll walk away with a better result — and fewer regrets.
SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU