How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Christchurch

April 15, 2026

By

ChCh Property Insight

Most vendors focus on the sale price but underestimate the costs of selling. Here is a complete breakdown of what you will actually pay to sell a Canterbury property in 2026.

Selling a property in Canterbury involves more costs than most vendors expect. Getting a clear picture of the total selling cost before you list helps you plan your net proceeds accurately and avoid surprises at settlement.

Real Estate Commission

Commission is the largest selling cost for most Canterbury vendors. A standard full-service agency charges approximately 3.95% on the first $400,000 and 2.0% on the remainder, plus an administration fee and GST. On a $700,000 sale, total commission including GST is approximately $25,600-$26,000. On an $800,000 sale, approximately $28,000-$30,000. Discount and flat-fee agencies like Tall Poppy charge significantly less - potentially saving $15,000-$20,000 on a typical Canterbury property.

Legal and Conveyancing Fees

You need a solicitor or licenced conveyancer to manage the legal aspects of your sale. Fixed-fee conveyancing for selling a standard residential Canterbury property starts from approximately $1,390-$1,590 (including GST and disbursements) for a straightforward transaction with no mortgage to discharge, and $1,590-$1,800 for a sale with a mortgage to discharge. More complex transactions (trusts, companies, complicated titles, disputes) will cost more. Get a fixed-fee quote from your solicitor before listing.

Marketing Costs

Marketing costs are typically charged separately from commission. A standard Canterbury marketing package includes professional photography ($300-$600), floor plan ($150-$300), realestate.co.nz listing fees ($150-$500 for standard, $500-$1,500 for premium placement), Trade Me listing ($200-$400), signage, and potentially print advertising. A comprehensive Canterbury campaign typically runs $1,500-$3,500. Some agencies include marketing within their commission - confirm this explicitly before signing the agency agreement.

Auctioneer Fees

If selling by auction, the auctioneer fee is typically $800-$1,200, sometimes charged upfront at the time of signing the agency agreement and sometimes deducted from sale proceeds. Some agencies do not charge a separate auctioneer fee. Confirm this in your agency agreement.

Pre-Sale Repairs and Presentation

Budget for any pre-sale repairs, painting, cleaning, and garden work required to present the property competitively. This varies enormously - from zero for a well-maintained modern property to $5,000-$15,000+ for an older property requiring meaningful work. Home staging, if used, costs $2,000-$5,000+ depending on property size and staging scope.

Moving Costs

Professional removalist services for a standard Christchurch house move typically cost $1,500-$4,500 depending on the volume of belongings and distance. Budget for packing materials and storage if there is a gap between settlement of your sale and possession of your next property.

The Bottom Line

On a typical $700,000 Canterbury sale with a full-service agency: commission approximately $26,000, solicitor fees approximately $1,600, marketing approximately $2,000, auctioneer $900, and moving $2,500. Total selling costs approximately $33,000, meaning your net proceeds are approximately $667,000 before your mortgage discharge, rates adjustment, and any other adjustments your solicitor calculates at settlement.

All figures are indicative estimates for 2026 and will vary depending on specific circumstances. For general information only - not financial or legal advice.