The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Arundel (and How to Prepare)
The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Arundel (and How to Prepare)
Selling your home in Arundel offers great potential thanks to strong demand from families, first-home buyers, and investors alike. But while most sellers focus on the sale price, the true outcome hinges on the net you walk away with—after all the hidden costs. Planning for these in advance ensures you protect your profits and stay ahead of issues that could delay settlement or reduce offers.
Arundel Market Snapshot
Arundel is a well-established suburb on the northern Gold Coast with convenient access to schools, shopping, transport links and medical facilities. As of early 2026 market trends indicate:
Median house price: ~$1,050,000 – $1,120,000
Median unit/townhouse price: ~$700,000 – $760,000
Rental demand has remained strong, with typical gross yields of ~4.0% – 4.5% for both houses and units, reflecting the suburb’s healthy investment appeal.
1) Agent Commission & Marketing Investment
One of the most obvious, yet often underestimated, costs is your agent’s commission. Commission is usually a percentage of the sale price and varies between agencies and campaign types. But a big part of the total cost is marketing—which can include:
Professional photography & videography
Floorplans & virtual tours
Premium property listings & social media features
Signboards and email campaigns
Hidden cost tip: Upgrades or “extras” added mid-campaign (e.g., drone footage, twilight photos) can push up your fees after the fact.
How to prepare: Before signing any contract, ask for a detailed marketing schedule showing inclusions versus optional extras.
2) Conveyancing & Settlement Legal Fees
Your conveyancer or solicitor handles the legal process of transferring ownership. While fees vary, there are always base legal costs plus smaller but essential items known as settlement disbursements (search fees, documentation, etc).
How to prepare: Request an estimate of all likely charges so nothing catches you unprepared near settlement.
3) Mortgage Discharge & Potential Loan Break Costs
If there’s still a mortgage on the property, expect a mortgage discharge fee when repaying the loan at settlement. For fixed-rate loans, break costs may apply—these are sometimes significant and often only known once your lender generates a payout figure.
How to prepare: Contact your lender early and request a full discharge payout figure, including any potential break costs.
4) Unseen Unit/Townhouse Costs (Body Corporate)
If you’re selling a unit or townhouse, buyers will almost always request body corporate certificates and associated records. These can have standard and priority fees if required quickly—another often-overlooked cost for sellers.
How to prepare: Order your Body Corporate information early in the campaign so delays don’t slow the sale.
5) Pre-Sale Presentation & Repairs
In Arundel’s competitive market, buyers compare properties quickly. Small improvements can make a big difference:
Pressure cleaning of pathways and driveways
Lawn and garden tidy-ups
Minor paint touch-ups and repairs
Strategic room styling for key areas like living and master
How to prepare: Focus on the first impressions—buyers decide quickly, and even small touches can protect your asking price.
Sell with Confidence — Norton’s Real Estate
Before you list, let us prepare a clear selling cost breakdown and marketing strategy for your Arundel property so you know exactly what to expect—no surprises, just results.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice. Costs vary by property type, loan arrangements, timing and selling method. Always obtain independent advice from your solicitor/conveyancer and accountant prior to selling.