The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Tugun (and How to Prepare)
The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Home in Tugun (and How to Prepare)
When homeowners search costs of selling a house or hidden fees selling home, most focus on agent commission. In Tugun, however, the real cost of selling often extends beyond that headline figure. As a tightly held southern Gold Coast suburb with a strong lifestyle appeal, sellers can encounter a range of less obvious costs linked to presentation, disclosure requirements, body corporate obligations, and legal compliance.
Understanding these early allows you to plan properly and protect your final sale result.
1) Commission is only part of the selling cost
Agent commission in Queensland is negotiable and varies depending on property type, price point, and market demand. In Tugun, commission typically sits separately from marketing costs, which are usually paid upfront.
Marketing may include professional photography, floorplans, videography, premium online listings, targeted digital advertising, and database campaigns—particularly important in a coastal market where buyers compare presentation and outlook closely.
How to prepare: Ask for a clear, written breakdown that separates commission from marketing before signing an agency agreement.
2) Marketing and presentation costs can escalate
Tugun buyers are often owner-occupiers seeking a coastal lifestyle rather than purely investment stock. Beachside homes, boutique apartments, and hillside properties are judged on light, finish, and outdoor spaces. Sellers are frequently surprised by cumulative costs such as professional styling, repainting, pressure cleaning, landscaping, balcony upgrades, or mid-campaign advertising boosts if enquiry softens.
How to prepare: Prioritise high-impact presentation items and agree on a defined marketing budget with review points before launch.
3) Mandatory disclosure costs: Form 2 and Form 33
One commonly underestimated selling 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 applies to units and townhouses.
These documents are generally prepared by your solicitor or conveyancer and are paid for by the seller. In Tugun, where apartment sales are common, 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 coastal considerations
Tugun has a mix of boutique apartment buildings and older coastal stock. Buyers often scrutinise levies, sinking fund balances, insurance arrangements, and planned maintenance—particularly for buildings exposed to salt air. Sellers may need to clear levy arrears or respond to additional due-diligence requests during the contract period.
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 cost may seem modest individually, together they can materially affect your net proceeds if not planned for early.
How to prepare: Request a full cost estimate from your solicitor and confirm discharge fees with your lender well before settlement.
Tugun market snapshot
Tugun remains one of the southern Gold Coast’s most desirable lifestyle suburbs, valued for its beach, village atmosphere, and proximity to Coolangatta and the airport. Median house prices commonly sit in the low-to-mid $1.5 million range, while units often range from the high $800,000s to over $1 million, depending on outlook and proximity to the beach. Limited supply continues to support long-term capital growth and solid rental demand.
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, location, and individual circumstances. Sellers should obtain independent legal and financial advice before proceeding.