Selling in Lower Hutt: straight answers
What does it cost to sell a house in Lower Hutt?
Selling a house in Lower Hutt usually means three main costs: the agent's commission, the marketing campaign and your lawyer's fees. Commission is paid only when the house sells. Rupert sets out every cost in writing at the appraisal, before you sign anything, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Commission
Commission is the agent's fee for selling your home. It is normally a percentage of the sale price plus GST, and it is only payable once the sale goes through. The rate is set out in your agency agreement.
Before you sign an agency agreement, a licensed agent must give you the Real Estate Authority's guide to agency agreements and an estimate of the commission at a likely sale price. Read both, and ask Rupert anything that isn't clear.
Marketing
Marketing is what gets buyers through the door: professional photography and video, listings on Trade Me, realestate.co.nz and OneRoof, Ray White's buyer database, social media and a signboard. You agree the plan and its cost in writing before the campaign starts.
Marketing is usually paid whether or not the home sells, so Rupert sizes the plan to your property and the buyers most likely to want it, rather than selling you everything on the menu.
Your lawyer
A lawyer or conveyancer checks the sale and purchase agreement before you sign, deals with the buyer's lawyer and handles settlement day. Ask for a quote early; many offer a fixed fee for a straightforward sale.
Costs that depend on you
If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your bank may charge a fee to repay it early. Ask them before you list, not after the sale.
Getting the house ready can cost a little or a lot: a tidy-up of the garden, a coat of paint, small repairs, a builder's report or LIM to have on hand for buyers. Rupert will tell you which of these are worth it for your home and which aren't.
If the property isn't your home, talk to your accountant about tax, including the bright-line test, before you sell. Then there's moving: removal trucks, storage, and sometimes a gap between settling one home and moving into the next.
What it costs to talk to Rupert
Nothing. The appraisal is free and there is no obligation. You will leave with a price range backed by recent sales and a written list of every cost, so you can decide with the facts in front of you.
