What sellers need to know
- Separate fixed and time-based costs
- Model three sale outcomes
- Include finance and holding costs
- Compare decisions by net proceeds
Asking price isn’t your take-home amount
An illustrative calculation, not a valuation or a typical commission quote. All amounts are AUD.
- Advertised asking price$200,000A starting position, not a completed sale
- Agreed sale price$185,000Use the amount actually agreed
- Less example deductions
- Selling costs
- $12,000
- Preparation & holding costs
- $5,000
- Finance payout
- $40,000
- Illustrative net proceeds$128,000$185,000 − $12,000 − $5,000 − $40,000
Use your own quotes, payout figure and any applicable tax or other transaction costs. Avoid counting the same expense twice.
Build the Budget Before Choosing a Price
List every cost from preparation to handover. The sale price is not the amount that reaches your account, and two campaigns with the same price can produce different net results.
Separate fixed costs from monthly holding costs and percentage-based fees so the budget responds when timing or price changes.
Preparation and Marketing Costs
Allow for detailing, minor repairs, servicing, slipping, photography, video, advertising and document replacement. Obtain approval rules and caps for broker-arranged expenditure.
Do not automatically complete every suggested upgrade. Use the repair-versus-disclose analysis and protect cash for sale-critical work.
- Cleaning and presentation
- Mechanical and safety work
- Haul-out and antifoul where justified
- Photography and advertising
- Document and inspection preparation
Commission, Finance and Holding Costs
Include commission, GST treatment, minimum fees, marketing, lender payout, interest, berth or mooring, insurance, cleaning and scheduled maintenance.
A slow campaign can make a slightly higher asking strategy expensive. Model at least three timeframes.
Survey, Settlement and Delivery Allowances
Budget a contingency for negotiated survey outcomes, transfer documents, professional advice and any agreed delivery. Responsibility for buyer due diligence costs should be stated in the contract.
Use the net-proceeds calculator to compare quick-sale, expected and optimistic scenarios rather than focusing on one headline number.
Cost to Sell a Yacht in Australia FAQs
What are the main costs of selling a yacht?
Preparation, marketing, broker commission where used, GST treatment, holding costs, finance payout, negotiated repairs or allowances, professional advice and settlement or delivery costs.
Who pays for the yacht survey?
It depends on the contract. Buyers commonly pay their due diligence, while haul-out and related responsibilities should be explicitly agreed.
How can I estimate net proceeds?
Model several sale prices and timeframes, subtracting every fixed, percentage and monthly cost plus finance payout and a realistic survey contingency.
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