Selling your home is one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll make in your lifetime. While the sale price may seem impressive, the final payout after selling house is what truly matters. That’s the amount that lands in your bank account after all deductions—commissions, fees, loans, and other costs—have been taken care of.
At For Sale By Home Owner, we help Australian homeowners sell their properties without paying agent commissions, which means they walk away with more from the sale. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how the final payout after selling your house is calculated, what to expect, and how you can maximise your return.
What Is the Final Payout?
The final payout after selling house refers to the net amount you receive once your property has settled. It’s not simply the sale price minus your mortgage. You’ll need to factor in all other expenses related to the transaction to know what you’ll actually receive.
Key Components That Affect Your Final Payout
To calculate your final payout, you need to consider the following:
1. Sale Price of the Property
This is the agreed price between you and the buyer. It forms the foundation of your payout calculation. For example, if your property sells for $800,000, this is your gross revenue—but not your profit.
2. Outstanding Mortgage or Home Loan
If you still owe money on your mortgage, the bank will take their share first. Your lender will require the full remaining balance to be paid at settlement. This is one of the biggest deductions from your sale proceeds.
Example:
Outstanding mortgage: $450,000
Sale price: $800,000
Remaining after mortgage: $350,000
3. Real Estate Agent Commissions
Traditional agents typically charge between 1.5% and 3% of the sale price. This commission is deducted from the proceeds before you receive your payout.
Agent Commission on $800,000 sale (2.5%) = $20,000
Remaining after commission = $330,000
Tip from For Sale By Home Owner: Selling privately can help you eliminate this fee completely, which keeps more money in your pocket.
4. Legal and Conveyancing Fees
Legal professionals handle the transfer of property ownership. Conveyancing fees usually range between $800 and $2,000 depending on the complexity of the sale.
Remaining after legal fees = $328,000 (assuming $2,000 legal costs)
5. Outstanding Council Rates or Utility Bills
At settlement, you must pay any remaining council rates, water charges, or utility bills up to the handover date. These amounts are adjusted and deducted from the total payout.
Example:
- Council rates adjustment: $1,200
- Water usage bill: $300
- Final payout = $326,500
6. Mortgage Discharge Fees
Most lenders charge a discharge or exit fee when closing your mortgage. This is usually between $300 and $600 and is deducted during the settlement process.
Final payout after mortgage discharge fee = $325,900
7. Repairs, Staging or Pre-Sale Improvements
If you paid for repairs, cleaning, or professional styling to improve the sale outcome, these costs reduce your total return.
Staging costs: $2,000
Final payout = $323,900
Optional: Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
If the property is not your principal place of residence (e.g., an investment property), you may be subject to CGT. While this isn’t deducted at settlement, you must consider it when calculating your actual profit. It's usually paid through your annual tax return.
Sample Final Payout Calculation
Let’s look at a quick summary example to illustrate how the final payout after selling house is calculated:
Item | Amount |
Sale Price | $800,000 |
Less: Mortgage Balance | $450,000 |
Less: Agent Commission (2.5%) | $20,000 |
Less: Legal Fees | $2,000 |
Less: Rates/Utilities | $1,500 |
Less: Mortgage Discharge Fee | $500 |
Less: Staging/Repairs | $2,100 |
Final Payout | $323,900 |
In this example, although the sale price is $800,000, the seller walks away with $323,900—less than half of the sale price—once all costs are accounted for.
How to Maximise Your Final Payout
Now that you understand how your final payout is calculated, let’s explore how to increase your net return.
1. Avoid Agent Commissions
By selling your property through For Sale By Home Owner, you can eliminate expensive agent commissions. Our platform helps you advertise on realestate.com.au and Domain, connect directly with buyers, and manage your sale from start to finish. The average seller saves $10,000 to $20,000 by choosing this route.
2. Be Smart With Pre-Sale Costs
Only invest in repairs or staging if it significantly increases your sale price. Prioritise cost-effective updates like painting, garden maintenance, or a deep clean.
3. Compare Legal Services
You don’t need the most expensive solicitor to get the job done. Compare quotes from conveyancers to find a fair price that meets your needs.
4. Plan Your Settlement Date
You can time your settlement to minimise council rates and water usage costs. This may save you a few hundred dollars in adjustments.
Final Thoughts
The final payout after selling house is the most important figure to focus on when planning your next move. It tells you how much cash you'll actually have for a new property, debt reduction, or investing elsewhere. Too often, sellers overestimate their earnings by ignoring hidden fees and commissions.
With For Sale By Home Owner, you stay in control of the sale process, avoid agent commissions, and keep more of your hard-earned profit. When you sell smart, you sell successfully—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
