Advice

Do I need a building and pest report before buying a property?

Well, if you are buying at Auction you absolutely should - any purchase at Auction is usually unconditional in nature - so best to have an inspection done before bidding. We can recommend inspectors that we trust.

If you are buying via Private Treaty - no you are not required to have a building and pest inspection done prior to entering into a contract - you can stipulate that the purchase is subject to a successful inspection (usually within 14 days of the contract date).

If I'm selling - what kind of fees and charges am I likely to be faced with?

There is a bit of flexibility here , but in general you should budget for the following:

Marketing - anywhere from $500 to $5000 (Through Realty Assist you can delay payment until Settlement or 150 days)
Sellers Disclosures range from $500 - $1000 and are provided via your solicitors. YOU WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE THIS PRIOR TO SELLING
Commission 2.75% including GST for an experienced negotiator & marketer.
Solicitor/Conveyancing fees
- Selling $450 - $600
- Buying $1400 - $1600

If my property is tenanted - can I sell while the current lease is in place?

Yes.

There are considerations to be discussed if the tenant is in the first 60 days of a new or continuing lease.

The tenant retains the right to remain in the property for the life of the lease - they can not be forced out because you want to sell.

The tenant also has specific rights regarding :

Photos
Inspection times/days
Notification times
Auction location and more

At MacCabe Real Estate we understand that while the property is your investment it is your tenants' home - and a happy tenant is a smooth and profitable sale.

What is the local market doing in the next 1-2 years?

We continue to find ourselves in a sellers market. It is expected that growth will continue on the Gold Coast at a rate of 3-5% for the coming years. Average time on market has shifted since the most recent budget from 32 days early in 2026 year to 62 days in June. Investment stock has certainly slowed - if you are looking to sell your investment, we recommend waiting until you are within 60 days of the end of your tenants lease before placing the home on the market, so you are more attractive to Owner Occupiers - who make up 95% of buyers currently. As interst rates look to continue to increase through 2026 - we expect more stock coming to the market with days on market expected to extend.