Cost of selling

How much does it cost to sell a house in Arrowtown?

The main costs of selling a house in Arrowtown are the agent’s commission and marketing costs, legal fees, any preparation or reports before the sale, and moving costs. Commission is set in your written agency agreement and is usually negotiable. Settled, the government’s home-buying and selling guide, lists ten costs to plan for. Ask your salesperson for a written estimate before you sign.

How is a real estate agent’s commission worked out?

Settled explains that the seller pays commission only if the property sells. It is usually a percentage of the sale price, often tiered, and it varies and is usually open to negotiation. It is normally paid from the buyer’s deposit, held in the agent’s trust account, and you pay any shortfall. Ray White Arrowtown’s salespeople can explain how commission, marketing and the method of sale fit together in our guide to methods of sale in Arrowtown.

What should you have in writing before you sign an agency agreement?

• A written agency agreement, signed before the agent starts work.
• A clear statement of how the commission is calculated and when it is payable.
• An estimate of the commission if the property sells at the appraised price.
• A copy of the Real Estate Authority’s guide to agency agreements, which the agent must give you.
• The chance to take legal advice before you sign.

In the 24 months to 10 November 2026, Ray White Arrowtown settled 9 Arrowtown houses between $1,550,000 and $6,500,000. Because commission is usually a percentage of the price, ask for the estimate at your own appraised price rather than at an average.

What other costs should you plan for when selling in Arrowtown?

• Advertising and marketing: often professional photography and a targeted plan, usually set out in the agency agreement.
• Listing fees: agents commonly charge an administration fee as well as commission.
• Pre-sale work and reports: repairs, a LIM report from the council, and anything an inspection raises.
• Home staging and cleaning: decluttering, styling and a deep clean for viewings and settlement.
• Auction fees: ask your salesperson whether an auctioneer’s fee applies if you sell at auction.
• Legal fees: a lawyer or conveyancer to act for you on the sale and purchase agreement.
• Body corporate: levies and maintenance funds, if the home is a unit title.
• Moving, rates and insurance: moving costs, keeping the home insured until settlement, and paying rates and bills up to settlement.

What should you do next?

Read our guide to preparing your Arrowtown property for sale, see selling your property in Arrowtown, or request a property appraisal. Use the form below to ask us about the costs for your property.

Sources: Settled (Government), Selling with an agent, https://www.settled.govt.nz/selling-a-home/selling-your-property/selling-with-an-agent/ ; Settled, Ten costs of selling a house you should prepare for (published 16 January 2020), https://www.settled.govt.nz/blog/ten-costs-of-selling-a-house-you-should-prepare-for/ ; both accessed 10 November 2026. Check current costs with your salesperson and lawyer. Ray White Arrowtown settled sales, 10 November 2024 to 10 November 2026, houses with Arrowtown as the suburb (Ray White data). Last updated: 10 November 2026.

Written by the Ray White Arrowtown team. Ray White Arrowtown, 25 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown 9302. Phone +64 3 746 7797. Email arrowtown.nz@raywhite.com.