In this article
THE SHORT VERSION
There is no single fixed cost to sell every Ipswich home.
Your written plan may include agent commission, property marketing, conveyancing and seller-disclosure work, sale preparation, mortgage-related charges, moving costs and—depending on how the property was used—tax advice. Commission and campaign costs should be agreed before you appoint an agent.
The useful question is not simply “what percentage will I pay?” It is “what will this particular sale require, when will each amount be due, and what could be left for my next move?” A clear selling-cost plan should show the services included, optional choices and the costs you need to confirm with other professionals.
The main costs to plan for
Agent commission
Queensland does not set a maximum commission rate. The amount is negotiated, must include GST and must be recorded in writing in the appointment before the agent acts.
Property marketing
Your campaign may include photography, floor plans, online advertising, signage, copywriting, video or print. Ask for an itemised plan showing what is included, what is optional and when payment is due.
Legal work and seller disclosure
Your solicitor or conveyancer can prepare or review the contract, advise on the transaction and help with Queensland’s seller-disclosure requirements. Ask them for a written quote for the work your property needs.
Preparation and presentation
Cleaning, repairs, gardening, styling, storage or removal work may be appropriate, but they are not automatically worthwhile. Arrange an early walk-through before committing to major spending.
Loan and settlement items
If there is a mortgage, ask your lender and solicitor about the payout process and any applicable discharge or settlement charges. These are separate from the agent’s commission.
Tax and moving costs
Removalists, temporary accommodation and buying costs can affect the next-home budget. If the property was rented, used for business or was not always your main residence, obtain tax advice about your circumstances.
What should the agent appointment show?
In Queensland, the appointment form records the commission, other costs the agent may incur on your behalf, when payments are due and the services the agent will provide. Appointment types can also affect when commission is payable, so read the form and seek independent legal advice if anything is unclear.
The Queensland Government explains that commission is negotiable and must be written into the appointment. Advertising and marketing expenses should also be disclosed rather than appearing as an unexplained extra later.
What changed with Queensland seller disclosure?
Queensland’s mandatory seller-disclosure scheme began on 1 August 2025. In many property sales, the seller must give the buyer a completed disclosure statement and applicable prescribed certificates before the buyer signs the contract. Your solicitor should advise on the requirements and exceptions for your property.
This creates work that should be planned early. Ask which searches, certificates and professional fees are needed, who will prepare the documents and how long the process may take.
Build the budget around your actual move
SELLER COST WORKSHEET
Ask for a written amount beside every line.
- Expected sale range from a personal property appraisal
- Less estimated mortgage payout, if applicable
- Less agreed agent commission including GST
- Less itemised marketing and campaign costs
- Less legal, conveyancing and disclosure costs
- Less agreed preparation, moving and storage costs
- Less any tax amount identified by your accountant
The result is only a planning estimate. The eventual sale price and final settlement figures can differ.
Questions to ask before signing
- What is the commission, does the quoted amount include GST and when is it payable?
- What exactly is included in the marketing plan?
- Which costs are payable upfront, at settlement or even if the property does not sell?
- Which appointment type is proposed and how long does it run?
- What preparation would you recommend before I spend money?
- Who will arrange the seller-disclosure documents and what will that cost?
- How does the estimated net position fit with my next purchase?
Start with the property, not a generic percentage
The right campaign and cost plan depend on the home, the likely buyers, your timing and what needs to happen next. I can inspect your property, discuss relevant sales and prepare a campaign conversation around your circumstances.
General information only. Fees, contracts, disclosure obligations, lending and tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Obtain written quotes and advice from your solicitor, lender and accountant.
Official sources: Queensland Government: appointing a real estate sales agent · Queensland Government: commission and costs · Queensland seller-disclosure scheme · ATO: property and the main-residence exemption.