One of the most common questions we're asked — and one the industry is often vague about — is simply: what does it cost to sell? Sellers deserve a straight answer, so here's a clear breakdown of the real costs of selling a home in South Australia in 2026. As with our approach to property management fees, we'd rather you understood the full picture up front than found it in the fine print.
Agent commission
The largest cost is the agent's commission, charged as a percentage of the sale price. In Adelaide this typically sits between about 2 and 2.75 per cent, with the state average around 2 per cent; regional South Australia runs higher. On an $800,000 sale, a 2.2 per cent commission is roughly $17,600. It's worth remembering that commission buys the whole campaign of work — negotiation included — and that the cheapest rate isn't automatically the best value if it comes with a weaker result.
Marketing and advertising
Marketing is charged separately from commission and is not optional if you want your home properly exposed. In Adelaide, a solid campaign — professional photography, portal listings on the major sites for around 45 days, signage — typically runs from about $500 to over $1,000, and can be more for a premium property or a larger campaign. This is money spent attracting buyers to your specific home; done well, it more than pays for itself in the final price.
Conveyancing
You'll need a conveyancer to handle the legal transfer of the property. In South Australia, conveyancing for a sale generally costs somewhere between $700 and $1,300, depending on the complexity of the transaction. It's a fixed, predictable cost and one worth paying for properly — a good conveyancer keeps settlement smooth.
Auctioneer and other costs
If you sell by auction, an auctioneer's fee applies — typically $200 to $1,000 — though as we've covered elsewhere, most Adelaide homes sell by private treaty, where this cost doesn't arise. Depending on your situation there may be minor additional costs: a building or pest report if you commission one, or the cost of small pre-sale presentation work. There's no stamp duty for a seller — that's a cost the buyer carries.
Putting it together
On a typical $800,000 Adelaide sale, the all-in cost of selling — commission, marketing and conveyancing — commonly lands somewhere around $19,000 to $21,000, the large majority of it commission. The number that matters, though, isn't the cost in isolation: it's the net result in your pocket after a campaign that actually maximises the sale price. A slightly higher cost that delivers a materially higher sale price is the better outcome every time.
A clear quote, no surprises
We believe in setting all of this out plainly before you commit to anything. If you'd like a straightforward quote for selling your home — every cost itemised, nothing buried — just ask. Pair it with our stamp duty and mortgage calculators if you're buying your next home, and you'll have the full financial picture for your move.
