Cost of Selling

What does it cost to sell a house in Gore?

Selling a house in Gore has five main costs: the agent’s commission plus GST, marketing, legal fees, a council LIM report if you provide one, and any mortgage or rates that must be settled on the sale. Commission is negotiable and is usually paid from the buyer’s deposit. This guide explains each cost and where the figures come from, so you can budget before you list.

What are the main costs of selling in Gore?

Sources: Real Estate Authority, Agency Agreement Guide (effective 14 October 2022); Settled.govt.nz, Thinking about your finances when selling; Gore District Council 2026 to 2027 fees and charges. Accessed 13 November 2026.

How much is the real estate agent’s commission?

There is no fixed rate. The Real Estate Authority (REA) says in its Agency Agreement Guide that commissions can vary between agencies and that you can negotiate timeframes, commission, expenses or services. Before you sign, the agent must explain the formula used and give you an estimate in dollars of the commission you will pay if your property sells at their estimated price. You pay GST on the commission, and it is usually paid from the buyer’s purchase deposit once the sale becomes unconditional. Consumer NZ suggests talking to at least three agents and comparing how each charges, whether by a set percentage, tiered percentages or an upfront fee: How to choose a real estate agent.

What does marketing cost, and can I choose?

Settled.govt.nz lists advertising costs among the costs of selling, usually paid upfront when you sign. The REA guide says you usually pay extra for marketing but you do not have to pay for extras you do not want, and that you will pay for the marketing you agree to even if the property does not sell. Ask for each item in writing: photography, signboards, online listings, printed material and any open home costs. Our free appraisal includes a plain breakdown of what we recommend for your home and why.

What is a LIM, and do I need one to sell?

A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a council report on a property. Settled.govt.nz lists a council LIM as a possible seller cost. Gore District Council issues LIMs within 10 working days, lists the residential fee at $400.00 for 2026 to 2027 (fees and charges) and the rural, commercial or industrial fee at actual cost with a $550.00 deposit. The council states that its staff do not inspect the property, so a LIM cannot tell you about the condition of buildings, and it does not cover unconsented work or private drains. Details: Gore District Council, LIM. If your property is outside Gore District, the council that covers it issues the LIM.

What happens to the deposit and when do I get paid?

Settled.govt.nz explains that the deposit is usually about 10% of the sale price and is held in a trust account. After 10 working days the deposit is usually transferred to your lawyer or conveyancer’s trust account, and once all conditions are met the sale becomes unconditional. The settlement date is the date agreed in the sale and purchase agreement. Your lawyer then arranges the final payment, deducts what is owed, such as agent commission, legal fees and any mortgage, and pays you the balance. More detail: Completing the sale.

Will I pay tax on the sale?

Inland Revenue’s bright-line test applies to residential property. For property sold on or after 1 July 2024 the test asks whether the sale falls within 2 years of the day the title was transferred to you. Inland Revenue states that business premises and farmland are excluded, and that a main home is generally excluded where it meets certain criteria. Whether the test applies to your sale depends on your circumstances, so check Inland Revenue’s page and ask your lawyer or accountant: The bright-line test.

Which agreement terms can I negotiate?

• The commission formula, and the dollar estimate at your expected price.
• The length of the agency agreement. If a sole agency agreement runs for more than 90 days, either side can end it after 90 days, in writing.
• Which marketing items you pay for.
• Whether the agency uses the REA standard clauses on commission. The REA recommends you only use agencies that do.

If you sell privately after an agent has introduced a buyer, the agency may still be able to claim commission, so read your agreement carefully: Deciding to sell with an agent or privately.

What does the market look like for Gore sellers?

REINZ recorded a median sale price of $475,100 in Gore District in September 2026, up 4.4% on a year earlier, from 23 sales with 29 median days to sell. See our Gore market update for the six month table and the source.

Want a clear costs estimate for your Gore home?

Call Ray White Gore on (03) 208 9490, visit us at 37 Main Street, Gore, or use the form below. We will explain every cost in writing before you sign anything.

Source for the REINZ figure: REINZ Statistics (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand), Market Insights Report, Gore District, September 2026, accessed 13 November 2026. Ray White Gore is not speaking on behalf of REINZ. This guide is general information and not legal or tax advice.

Last updated: 13 November 2026. Written by the Ray White Gore team. Ray White Gore is licensed as Nicole Cronin Realty Ltd (REAA 2008), 37 Main Street, Gore 9710.