Your home. Your budget. Your selling plan.
One of the first questions when selling is: what will it cost to get my home on the market? It’s a sensible place to start.
Before choosing advertising or booking photography, let’s work out what suits your property, your circumstances and what you can comfortably spend.
Before you go to market: four first steps
- Set your budget. Agree on preparation and marketing costs, what is optional, and when payments are due.
- Complete the ID checks (AML). I’ll explain which identity and address documents are needed. These required checks are completed before we enter into the agency agreement.
- Review the agency agreement. Check the commission, agreed expenses, timeframe and cancellation terms. Read the consumer guide and get advice from your lawyer before signing.
- Get ready to launch. Confirm the property information, photography, signboard choice and launch date.
Start with three parts of your budget
Preparation: cleaning, gardening, small repairs and any presentation work you choose. We can walk through the property and prioritise what is worth considering before you commit to spending.
Marketing: photography, floor plans, online advertising, a signboard and any other agreed campaign items. Ask what is included and what costs extra.
Selling and moving: agency commission, legal fees, moving costs and any lender charges that apply. Ask your lawyer and lender for estimates relevant to you.
Signboard or no signboard?
A signboard can help people passing by notice the property. Some owners prefer a more discreet approach. We can discuss visibility, privacy, the property’s position and other ways buyers will find it. Confirm whether a board is included or charged separately; leaving one out may not reduce the quoted package price.
Staging or your own furniture?
Full staging isn’t the starting point for every home. Decluttering, rearranging what you already have or staging selected rooms may be options.
Compare the cost and practical benefit before deciding. Presentation should help buyers understand the home, while remaining achievable for you.
A tighter budget is a conversation worth having
Tell me what you’re comfortable spending. We can prioritise the items most useful for your property and discuss the trade-offs. You don’t need to apologise for having a budget, and you don’t need to agree to every optional extra.
What is payable upfront—and what comes later?
Marketing is often paid before the campaign starts. Commission is commonly deducted from the buyer’s deposit once the sale becomes unconditional, subject to the agency agreement. Agreed marketing costs can still be payable if the property does not sell. Confirm the amounts, GST, payment dates and terms in writing.
A simple checklist before you agree
Ask: What is included? What is optional? Are the figures GST-inclusive? When is each payment due? What happens if the home doesn’t sell or I withdraw it? What would any additional marketing cost?
There is no single budget that fits every Auckland home. Ask for an itemised plan and current written quotes, including a commission estimate in dollars. Read the agency agreement and consider legal advice before signing.
Useful independent guidance: Settled.govt.nz — agency agreements and selling expenses.
Let’s work out your selling budget
Whether you’re downsizing, working through a family change or simply exploring your options, talk with Vanessa about a tailored selling plan. We can start with your questions, at your pace.
Vanessa Bickerton · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Barfoot & Thompson. My qualifications and ongoing learning.
