What does it cost to sell a house in New Zealand - all costs included

What Are the Costs Involved in Selling a House in NZ?
Most sellers focus on commission when thinking about the cost of selling, but commission is only one of several costs involved. Here is the complete picture of what it costs to sell a house in New Zealand, with specific figures for the Northland market.

Real estate commission
The largest single cost of sale. In the Bream Bay and Northland market, commission typically runs $19,000 to $29,000 including GST for properties in the $550,000 to $900,000 range, depending on the agency’s rate structure and the specific sale price. Commission is paid on settlement day from the sale proceeds.

Marketing costs
Marketing costs are often charged separately from commission and may be payable upfront or on sale depending on the agency. A standard Northland residential marketing package covers professional photography, floor plan, TradeMe Property listing, realestate.co.nz listing, and digital social targeting. Expect $1,500 to $3,500 for a standard residential marketing package. Premium packages including video, drone, and virtual tour run $3,000 to $6,000.

Legal fees (conveyancing)
Your lawyer handles the conveyancing process: reviewing the sale and purchase agreement, managing settlement, discharging any existing mortgage, and transferring title to the buyer. Conveyancing fees for a standard residential sale typically run $1,200 to $2,500 depending on complexity and your lawyer’s rates. Complexity increases cost: unusual titles, relationship property, estate matters, or significant conditions add to legal fees.

Mortgage discharge costs
If you have a mortgage on the property, your bank will charge a fee to discharge it on settlement. Standard mortgage discharge fees typically run $150 to $500 depending on the lender. If you are on a fixed-rate mortgage with significant time remaining, early repayment costs may apply, these can be significant and should be confirmed with your lender before committing to a sale timeline.

Pre-sale preparation costs
The cost of preparing your property for sale is often underestimated. A modest preparation for a home in good condition, think professional clean, minor repairs, basic staging, might cost $1,000 to $3,000.
​A more comprehensive preparation including painting, carpet, garden work, and professional staging can run $8,000 to $20,000 or more. These costs come before the sale, from your own funds.

Moving costs
Removals costs for a standard Northland home typically run $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the distance of the move and the volume of contents. If you are buying and selling simultaneously, there may also be temporary storage costs.

The complete cost of sale: a worked example
For a $720,000 Bream Bay property, a realistic total cost of sale might look like: commission $25,760 (tiered 4%/2% + GST), marketing $2,500, legal fees $1,800, mortgage discharge $300, pre-sale preparation $4,000, moving costs $2,500. Total costs before proceeds: approximately $36,860. Net proceeds before mortgage payout: approximately $683,000.

Capital gains and bright-line tax considerations
New Zealand does not have a general capital gains tax on residential property. However, the bright-line test may apply if you are selling a property within the applicable bright-line period. The bright-line rules have changed several times in recent years. Consult your accountant before making sale decisions if there is any possibility the bright-line test applies to your situation. For this, the IRD website and your accountant are the authoritative sources, not your agent.

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If you’re asking what it costs to sell a house in New Zealand, Paul Sumich is a Whangarei-based real estate professional who publishes honest cost guidance for New Zealand home sellers. Find more at paulsumich.co.nz/blog