The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Burleigh Heads (and How to Prepare)
The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Burleigh Heads (and How to Prepare)
Selling in Burleigh Heads is rarely about “if” you’ll attract buyers—it’s about how much you keep once the sale is done. With strong lifestyle demand, proximity to the beach, cafés, schools and parks, Burleigh Heads commands premium prices. But higher prices also mean small percentage costs turn into big dollar figures if they’re not planned early.
Burleigh Heads market snapshot
Burleigh Heads continues to perform as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held lifestyle suburbs. Recent data places median house prices around $1.9M–$2.0M and median unit prices around $1.1M–$1.2M, depending on exact pocket and outlook. Units generally show stronger rental yields than houses, which keeps investors active alongside owner-occupiers—particularly for well-located apartments close to James Street and the beachfront.
This buyer mix means your pricing, presentation, and contract readiness matter more than ever.
1) Agent commission + marketing (the two costs most sellers underestimate)
Commission is negotiable, but marketing is where budgets can creep. In Burleigh Heads, buyers expect high-quality presentation—professional photography, floorplans, premium online placement, database marketing, and often social media exposure.
Hidden cost risk: adding extras mid-campaign (video, drone, boosted ads) after the listing is live.
How to prepare: ask for a fully itemised marketing plan before signing—what’s essential, what’s optional, and what’s designed to reach Burleigh’s buyer pool.
2) Conveyancing and settlement disbursements
Legal fees are unavoidable, but many sellers forget the smaller add-ons: searches, settlement adjustments, administrative fees, and contract variations if negotiations get detailed.
How to prepare: request a total estimate including disbursements, not just the headline legal fee.
3) Unit-specific costs (Body Corporate documentation)
If you’re selling an apartment or townhouse, buyers will request body corporate records early. Queensland sets standard fees for certificates, with additional charges for priority turnaround.
Hidden cost risk: paying priority fees or losing momentum because documents weren’t ready.
How to prepare: order certificates and key records before launching your campaign.
4) Mortgage discharge fees + possible break costs
If there’s a mortgage, lenders usually charge a discharge/settlement fee. Fixed-rate loans can also trigger break costs, which can be substantial and are often overlooked until a payout figure is requested.
How to prepare: ask your lender early for a full payout estimate and confirm whether break costs apply.
5) Pre-sale presentation: small spends that protect big prices
Burleigh Heads buyers compare hard. Common pre-sale costs include pressure cleaning, paint touch-ups, minor repairs, garden tidy-ups, and light styling (entry, living, master).
How to prepare: focus on street appeal and main living areas—that’s where buyers form value judgments fastest.
Sell with clarity — Norton’s Real Estate
If you’d like a simple net sheet showing likely selling costs and a strategy tailored to your Burleigh Heads property, we’ll map it out clearly before you list.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Costs vary by property type, lender, body corporate requirements, and selling method. Always seek independent advice from your solicitor/conveyancer and financial adviser.