The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Biggera Waters (and How to Prepare)
The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Biggera Waters (and How to Prepare)
When sellers search costs of selling a house or hidden fees selling home, most expect agent commission to be the main expense. In Biggera Waters, however, the true cost of selling often includes a series of less obvious items that can add up quickly—particularly for units, townhouses, and waterfront-adjacent properties. Planning for these early helps you avoid delays, renegotiations, and budget blowouts.
1) Commission is only one part of the picture
Agent commission in Queensland is negotiable and varies by property type, price point, and demand. What many sellers overlook is that commission typically sits alongside marketing costs, which are usually paid upfront and charged separately.
Marketing may include professional photography, floorplans, premium online listings, video, and targeted digital advertising—especially important in a Broadwater lifestyle market like Biggera Waters.
How to prepare: Ask for a clear, written breakdown that separates commission from marketing before you sign an agency agreement.
2) Marketing costs can change mid-campaign
Biggera Waters attracts downsizers, owner-occupiers, and investors. If enquiry slows or competing listings increase, sellers sometimes choose to extend premium listings, refresh imagery, or boost online exposure during the campaign.
How to prepare: Set a defined marketing budget and agree on review points upfront, rather than making reactive decisions later.
3) Mandatory disclosure costs: Form 2 and Form 33
A commonly underestimated expense in Queensland is seller disclosure documentation.
Form 2 – Seller Disclosure Statement is required for all residential property sales.
Form 33 – Body Corporate Disclosure Statement is required for units and townhouses.
These documents are generally prepared by your solicitor or conveyancer and are paid for by the seller. For unit sales, Form 33 relies on current body corporate records, which may involve strata search or administration fees.
How to prepare: Engage your solicitor early and budget for disclosure preparation before your property goes live.
4) Body corporate and waterfront-related costs
Biggera Waters has a high proportion of apartments and canal-side developments. Buyers often scrutinise levies, sinking fund balances, insurance arrangements, and planned maintenance—particularly in older or waterfront buildings. Sellers may also need to clear levy arrears or respond to additional due-diligence requests.
How to prepare: Have levy notices, AGM minutes, insurance certificates, and sinking fund summaries ready prior to listing.
5) Legal, finance, and settlement fees
Most sales also include:
solicitor or conveyancing fees,
mortgage discharge fees charged by lenders,
electronic settlement and identity-verification costs.
While each may seem modest, together they can materially affect your net proceeds if not planned for.
How to prepare: Request a full estimate from your solicitor and confirm discharge fees with your lender early.
Biggera Waters market snapshot
Biggera Waters remains a popular Broadwater suburb with strong lifestyle appeal and consistent rental demand. Median house prices commonly sit around the low-to-mid $1 million range, while unit prices often fall between the high $600,000s and $800,000s, depending on outlook, building quality, and proximity to the water. These fundamentals continue to attract both owner-occupiers and long-term investors.
Sell with clarity and confidence
When you work with Norton’s Real Estate, selling costs are explained clearly from the outset, so there are no surprises at any stage of the sale process.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or property advice. Costs, prices, and market conditions vary depending on property type, building, and individual circumstances. Sellers should obtain independent legal and financial advice before proceeding.