The True Cost of Selling Your Property in South Africa

Spoiler: it’s not just the estate agent’s commission you need to worry about.

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Most sellers assume that if they’ve budgeted for the estate agent’s fee, they’ve covered the cost of selling. Wrong.

Selling a property comes with a range of legal, municipal, compliance, and administrative costs—some of which only surface once you’re deep into the transfer. And if you weren’t told about them upfront, you’ll feel blindsided.

Let’s break down what it really costs to sell—and where you can save smartly (hint: it’s with us).

1. Estate Agent’s Commission

Traditional agents charge 5–7% of the purchase price, plus VAT. On a R2 million property, that’s up to R161 000 in commission.

And here’s the catch: that fee only covers the marketing and negotiation of the sale. It does not include legal advice, contract drafting, or the actual transfer.

With Günther Attorneys & Conveyancers, our all-inclusive attorney-led sale costs just 2.5% (no VAT), minimum R30 000. That covers the full marketing, vetting, drafting, and transfer process. No agent. No add-ons. One team. One fee.

2. Compliance Certificates

You’ll need a few of these depending on your property type and location:

• Electrical Compliance Certificate (CoC) – legally required
• Plumbing Certificate – required in Cape Town and some other municipalities
• Beetle Clearance – required in coastal areas
• Gas Certificate – if you have installed gas appliances
• Electric Fence Certificate – if you have one installed

Average cost per certificate: R500 – R1 200 If remedial work is required? That’s extra—and can run into the thousands.

We co-ordinate all inspections upfront and tell you exactly what’s needed. No delays. No surprise invoices halfway through the transfer.

3. Municipal Rates Clearance Figures

Before transfer, the municipality must issue a clearance certificate confirming all rates, water and services are paid. Most councils require advance payment of 2–6 months’ rates, depending on account status.

If you’re in arrears or there’s a billing issue, this can delay transfer or cost extra.

We calculate and request figures as early as legally possible—and we check them for errors (which, frankly, are common).

4. Bond Cancellation Costs

If your property is bonded, you’ll need to cancel the bond—even if the loan is fully paid.

Expect:

• Bond cancellation attorney fee: ~R4 500 – R6 000
• Bank admin charges: ~R3 000
• 90-day notice penalty: if you haven’t given prior written notice of cancellation

We help you manage the timing of this to avoid unnecessary penalties. We also liaise with the bank’s appointed attorney to speed up cancellation.

5. Levies & Body Corporate Clearance (Sectional Title Only)

If your property is in a sectional title scheme or estate, you’ll need a levy clearance from the body corporate or HOA.

That means:

• Paying all levies in advance
• Sometimes paying legal fees if the body corporate has handed the account to attorneys
• Admin fees for issuing clearance

Again, we chase this early—and we query inflated or unsubstantiated fees where necessary.

6. Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

If the property is not your primary residence or you make a large profit, SARS may charge CGT on the sale.

This is calculated based on your profit, inclusion rate, and marginal tax rate. We advise you when and if it’s likely to apply, and refer you to a tax practitioner where needed. No surprises on registration day.

How We Save You Money (and Headaches)

At Günther Attorneys & Conveyancers:

• We charge one transparent fee: 2.5%, no VAT, all-inclusive
• We co-ordinate inspections and advise on compliance early
• We pre-empt rates clearance delays and limit penalties
• We draft the offer ourselves, tailored to your risks
• We run the entire process—from listing to Deeds Office

No need to pay separate legal, sales, and admin teams. We’re your single point of contact, and we own the deal from start to finish.

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