How much does it cost to sell a house in QLD?

Wondering how much it costs to sell a house in Queensland? This guide breaks down what fees are involved in selling a house in the Sunshine State including conveyancing costs and typical real estate agent commission.

Conveyancing and government fees in Queensland 

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring the ownership of a house from seller to buyer. Typically, conveyancing fees are one of the major costs of selling a house and while you can save money by doing it yourself, having your paperwork professionally managed can protect you from potentially costly mistakes. Like every state, Queensland has specific conveyancing requirements that sellers should be aware of before commencing the selling process.

Average price of a conveyancer in QLD 

In the Sunshine State, you could be looking to pay anywhere starting from $500 or more depending on the complexity of the sale. These fees are commonly charged as:

• A flat or fixed conveyancing fee that may not include disbursement costs or your solicitor’s out-of-pocket expenses.
• A negotiated fee.
• An hourly rate.
• A percentage of the total sale price.

Requirements for conveyancing in Queensland 

In Queensland, you don’t need to appoint a conveyancer until you’ve accepted an offer, and any professional conveyancing work must be done through a legal practice. This differs from states such as NSW where conveyancing is required to put your house on the market and can be handled by a licensed conveyancer or settlement agent. Queensland law allows sellers to do their own conveyancing, but it’s worth noting legal professionals have indemnity insurance in case something goes wrong.

Cooling-off period

If exercised, buyers of residential property in Queensland get a cooling period of 5 business days starting from when they receive a signed copy of the contract of sale. A buyer may be charged around 0.25% of the selling price to cancel the contract of sale during the cooling off period, which is generally deducted from their deposit. Cooling off periods don’t apply to houses sold at auction.

Disbursement costs are fees your solicitor may need to pay to third parties on your behalf. For example, Titles Queensland requires sellers to register the discharge of their mortgage from their property, incurring a registration fee of around $195. You may also be charged Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) transaction fees for your solicitor to electronically lodge your settlement.

Before signing up, it’s a good idea to ask your solicitor for a detailed quote or a breakdown of what’s included in their fixed fee. Some law firms may not initially disclose all their potential fees so be sure to check for any ‘hidden’ costs.   

Real estate agent commission in QLD

According to internal data, the average real agent commission In Queensland fee is 2.57% but this can vary depending on the agent, location, state of the market and type of property you’re selling.

In the city of Brisbane, you could expect to pay roughly 2.41% in commission, whereas in Cairns, you'd be paying around 3.85%. 

This means that for a home sold for $1 million, commission could range from $24,100 to $38,500 depending on where you're located. 

Your agent’s sales commission structure will also influence how much you pay. The two typical real estate commission structures are fixed and tiered, with fixed commissions calculated by multiplying the sale price by the commission rate. Tiered commissions are performance-based meaning the amount you pay is based on how much your house sells for. If it’s more than the set sale price, the commission will be higher.

Other fees to consider when selling your house in QLD

 On top of conveyancing and commission, there are several other key costs of selling a house that should be factored into your budgeting:

Auction fees 

Auctioneer’s fees in Queensland can be anywhere between $400 and $1,000 and are separate to your real estate agent commission fees. You can hire your own auctioneer but it’s generally most cost effective to have your agent organise one on your behalf. 

Marketing costs 

According to internal research the cost of a comprehensive marketing campaign for a house in Queensland can be roughly $2,000 or more, depending on the type and duration of the marketing plan used.

This will typically include things such as photography and videography, online listings, print advertising and signage. These costs may either be included in your agent’s commission fee or charged separately. 

Other optional costs 

A well-presented home is more likely to attract buyers and a potentially higher price. Costs for preparing your home for sale can include renovations, repairs, garden maintenance and professional home staging.

Factors that can alter the cost of selling a house in QLD

Real estate fees can also vary depending on the situation, including:

Method of sale (private or auction)

Selling your house at auction is generally more expensive than a private treaty sale. This is due to the addition of auctioneer’s fees as well as a more extensive advertising campaign.

Property type  

An unusual property or one that is only going to appeal to a small number of buyers can be challenging to sell. An agent will have to work harder to find a buyer and is likely to charge more for their time and efforts.

Property value 

Some agents may accept a lower commission rate for properties with a comparatively higher value as they’re still likely to be paid a decent amount from the sale.

Location of property

Commission rates vary by location and whether they’re in metro or rural areas. According to internal data, rates tend to be lower at around 2.41% in capital cities, such as Brisbane, and higher at around 3.85% in other areas, like Cairns.

Don't stress about all the complicated costs and steps involved in selling. OpenAgent's ultimate property guide can help simplify this process.