02/10/2026
Most buyers budget carefully for the purchase price and then get caught off guard by everything else. Here is a realistic picture of the additional costs involved in a standard NSW property purchase.
💵 Transfer duty. This is what most people call stamp duty. The amount depends on the property value. If you are a first home buyer purchasing a property valued at $800,000 or less, you may pay nothing at all under the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme.
💵 Conveyancing fees. These will depend on the complexity of the matter and can vary between conveyancers.
💵 Building and pest inspection. Expect to pay between $400 and $700 depending on the size and type of property. This is not optional, it is protection for your investment.
💵 Strata report. If you are buying into a strata scheme, a strata report typically costs between $200 and $350. Skipping it is one of the most common and expensive mistakes strata buyers make.
💵 Council and water rate adjustments. At settlement, you reimburse the vendor for any rates already paid beyond the settlement date. Your conveyancer calculates this and includes it in your final settlement figures.
At Contract Conveyancing, we make sure every client understands the full cost picture before they commit.
Call (02) 4505 4600 or email [email protected]
Corporate Licence No: 06000857 / Judith Hogarth's Licence No: 05008096 / Friendly Disclaimer: This post is just general info, not legal advice. Everyone's situation is different, so make sure you get your own professional advice before making any decisions.
