09/06/2026
🏠 HIDDEN COSTS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME
When selling your property, the selling price is not always the amount you walk away with.
Here is what sellers should understand:
1. 🏦 Bond Cancellation Costs:
If there is still a bond registered over the property, the bank must cancel it at transfer. This may include bond cancellation attorney fees and possible notice period penalties if the bank was not given enough notice.
2. 🏛️ Rates Clearance Figures:
Before transfer, the municipality must issue rates clearance figures. These usually include outstanding rates, taxes, services and advance payments required before transfer can proceed.
3. 🏘️ Levy Clearance Figures:
For sectional title properties or estates, the body corporate or HOA may require levy clearance. Any outstanding levies, special levies or admin fees may need to be settled before transfer.
4. ✅ Compliance Certificates:
Depending on the property, sellers may need certificates such as electrical, gas, electric fence, solar or beetle certificates. If something does not comply, repairs may be needed before the certificate can be issued.
5. 🚚 Moving Costs:
Transport, packaging, storage, cleaning and relocation costs are often forgotten when sellers calculate their expected proceeds.
6. 🔧 Repairs and Maintenance:
After inspections or buyer negotiations, certain repairs may be requested. These could affect the final amount the seller keeps.
7. 📄 Lost Title Deeds:
If the original title deed is missing, it may need to be replaced through the correct legal process. This can cause extra costs and possible delays.
8. 📐 House Plans:
Missing, outdated or unapproved building plans can become a problem during the sale process. Sellers may need to obtain approved plans or resolve unapproved structures.
9. 📣 Estate Agency Professional Marketing Fee:
A professional estate agency fee covers the work involved in pricing, marketing, buyer qualification, negotiation, compliance support and managing the sale through to registration.
Before you sell, make sure you understand your estimated net proceeds, not just the selling price.
At Harcourts Blue, we help sellers across Boksburg, Benoni, Germiston, Kempton Park and the East Rand understand the full picture before going to market.
📍 Boksburg Property Sellers
📍 Benoni Property Sellers
📍 Germiston Property Sellers
📍 Kempton Park Property Sellers
📍 East Rand Property Sellers
📞 Contact Harcourts Blue today for a FREE property assessment and seller cost estimate.
🌐 Visit us: https://www.harcourts.co.za/contact/harcourts-blue/1255/
