What Does a Real Estate Agent Cost in Wellington?
- Leonie and Steve - Harcourts Wellington
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Most agents won't put this on their website. We will.
If you've ever tried to find out what real estate agents actually charge in Wellington, you'll have noticed one thing: almost no one publishes it. There's a reason for that — and it's not a great look for the industry.
So here's a plain answer.
Two costs to understand
When you sell a house in Wellington, there are two distinct costs: commission and marketing. They're separate. They fall due at different times. Both matter.
Commission
Commission is what you pay the agent for their time and expertise. It's calculated as a percentage of your sale price, and in New Zealand it's negotiated — there's no fixed rate.
In Wellington, agents charge a percentage of the sale price, plus GST (15%). Some agencies also charge a small administration fee on top. The exact rate varies by agency and individual agent.
On a typical Wellington home, total commission usually lands somewhere between 2.5% and 3.25% of the sale price, plus GST. On a $750,000 sale, that's roughly $18,750–$24,375 before GST — or $21,563–$28,031 with GST included.
Commission is generally only paid ten working days after you receive an unconditional contract — meaning if the property doesn't sell, you don't pay it.
Marketing costs
Marketing is separate from commission, and it's usually paid upfront regardless of whether the property sells.
A Wellington campaign typically covers:
Professional photography and floor plan
Online listing (Trade Me, realestate.co.nz, agent website)
Social media advertising
Print advertising (Just Listed flyers etc)
Signboard
Open home collateral (professional brochures etc)
Budget: usually $2,000–$5,000 depending on the property, suburb, and campaign level you choose. Premium campaigns with video, aerial photography, or editorial styling cost more.
List Now Pay Later: Most real estate companies in Wellington offer this option — your marketing costs aren't paid upfront. Instead, they're deducted at settlement when your home sells. It's worth asking your agent whether it's available, as it removes the out-of-pocket cost before your sale.
Ask your agent for a written breakdown of exactly what's included before you sign anything.
Is commission negotiable?
Yes. Commission rates in New Zealand are set between you and your agent — they're not regulated.
That said, the cheapest rate rarely means the best outcome. An agent who secures an extra $20,000 at the negotiating table has more than paid for the difference in commission. The question to ask isn't just what's the rate? — it's what do I get for it, and what's your track record?
What does commission actually cover?
Commission covers the agent's full involvement across your sale:
Pricing advice and method of sale recommendation
Preparing and managing the marketing campaign
Hosting open homes and private viewings
Buyer follow-up and qualification
Negotiation and offer management
Preparing disclosure documentation (building report requests, LIM coordination, property file)
Managing the process through to unconditional and settlement
It doesn't cover the marketing spend itself — that's separate. There are a few other costs worth knowing about. Building reports, LIM reports (Land Information Memorandums — the council record of your property), professional valuations, and rating valuation updates are all separate again, and typically paid directly to the supplier rather than through your agent. You may also encounter AML costs — Anti-Money Laundering compliance checks, which are a legal requirement in New Zealand property transactions. These vary by provider but are generally modest. Your agent can tell you which of these apply to your sale and give you a rough idea of what to budget.
What to ask before you sign
Before you commit to any agent, ask:
What's your commission rate, and how is it structured?
What marketing costs are included, and what's extra?
When is marketing paid — upfront or on settlement?
What happens if the property doesn't sell?
If you offer free marketing, do I have to pay this back if I don't sell?
Can I see a written breakdown of all costs?
Any agent worth working with will answer these without hesitation.
A note on what we charge
We're not going to publish our exact rates here — they're negotiated based on property type, campaign scope, and what's realistic in the current market. What we will tell you is that we're transparent about every cost before you sign, and we back our work with a track record of 500+ Wellington sales over 17 years.
If you want to know what it would cost to sell your home, the conversation starts with an appraisal.
Thinking about selling? Find out what your home is worth. Get a free appraisal →
Also useful: How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Wellington →
Leonie & Steve — Harcourts Wellington. Selling in Karori, Khandallah, Ngaio,
Johnsonville, Newlands, Paparangi, Grenada Village, Woodridge, Churton Park,
Wilton, Wadestown, and Crofton Downs.
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