The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Elanora (and How to Prepare)
The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Elanora (and How to Prepare)
Selling your home in Elanora, a popular Gold Coast suburb known for its leafy streets, quality schools, easy access to beaches and parks, and strong lifestyle appeal, can be financially rewarding. But while many sellers focus on the sale price, the real outcome is determined after all costs are deducted — including the ones that aren’t always obvious. Planning for these early will protect your final return and help you manage the selling process smoothly.
📍 Elanora Market Snapshot
Elanora’s market has remained competitive due to its family-friendly amenity and proximity to both the coast and hinterland.
Median house price: approximately $1,250,000 – $1,300,000
Median unit/townhouse price: approx $880,000 – $920,000
Rental demand in Elanora is strong, with houses renting around $900 – $950 per week and units achieving roughly $630 – $680 per week, yielding close to 3.8% – 4.2% in gross returns — a mix that continues to keep investors active alongside owner-occupiers. This dual demand helps sustain buyer interest and can benefit sellers who price and present their property well.
💰 1) Agent Commission & Marketing Costs
The largest cost most sellers expect is real estate agent commission — typically a percentage of the sale price. In a suburb like Elanora with relatively high average values, even a small percentage can add up to a significant sum.
What many sellers underestimate is the marketing investment required to attract the right buyers. Quality campaigns often include:
Professional photography and floorplans
Premium placement on top property portals
Social media promotion and email campaigns
Signage and open home coordination
❗ Hidden cost risk: Mid-campaign add-ons like drone footage, twilight photography, or boosted social media posts can increase your spend if they weren’t agreed at the start.
How to prepare: Request a detailed itemised marketing plan and fee schedule before signing a contract with an agent.
📜 2) Conveyancing & Settlement Fees
Selling always involves legal costs. Conveyancers or solicitors prepare the contract, manage title transfer, and handle settlement. Beyond their base fee, additional costs known as settlement disbursements (title searches, council rates adjustments, etc.) can add up.
How to prepare: Ask your conveyancer for a full cost estimate including all disbursements before you list.
🏦 3) Mortgage Discharge & Break Costs
If your property has an existing mortgage, your lender usually charges a mortgage discharge/settlement fee when it is paid out at settlement. If you’re on a fixed-rate loan, you could also incur break costs, which can sometimes be substantial.
How to prepare: Contact your lender early and request a payout figure that includes any potential break costs.
🏘️ 4) Unit/Townhouse Administrative Fees
If you’re selling a unit or townhouse in Elanora, buyers’ solicitors will generally request body corporate certificates and records. In Queensland, these have set fees, with priority or express options attracting higher charges.
How to prepare: Order these documents before marketing your property so contracts aren’t delayed when a buyer is ready to sign.
🧼 5) Presentation & Staging Costs
Presentation matters — especially in lifestyle suburbs. Costs often include:
Exterior pressure cleaning and gardening
Minor repairs and paint touch-ups
Professional styling or staging in key rooms
How to prepare: Focus first on street appeal and the most viewed spaces — buyers often decide within minutes of walking in.
📞 Sell Smarter with Norton’s Real Estate
Before you list, let us prepare a clear selling cost estimate and strategy for your Elanora property — so you know what to expect at every step and how to protect your return.
⚠️ 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 seek independent advice from your solicitor/conveyancer and financial adviser before selling.