Retirement villages vs aged care
Retirement villages and aged care aren’t the same thing.
What costs to expect when selling your retirement village home
Friday, 19 September 2025
Thinking of selling your retirement village home? Here’s a clear guide to the costs and considerations involved — so you can plan with confidence.
Selling your home in a retirement village is similar to selling in the traditional property market — but the costs and process depend on the type of contract you signed when you moved in.
Based on your contract choice, there’ll be different costs to pay when you move in and when you move out. Plus, you’ll pay a monthly service fee to cover everyday operating costs of the village.
And when it comes time to sell your retirement home, there are cost considerations for putting your home on the market.
How to set the right selling price
If you decide to sell, depending on your contract type, you can work with the village sales team to settle on the best listing price for your home. Like any property, the price will depend on your home’s size, style, condition and location.
While you’re free to choose any real estate agent, our sales team specialises in retirement village homes and can help you get the best price for your home, which is why so many residents choose to sell with us. A selling fee may apply depending on your contract.
Preparing your home for sale
When you move out, you may need to pay for a basic reinstatement — this covers wear and tear and typically includes:
- New carpet
- Painting throughout
- Servicing appliances
- Comprehensive cleaning
Costs vary depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and its condition. For example, a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home might cost:
- $8,000–$12,000 for shorter stays
- $18,000–$25,000 for longer-term residents
Sometimes, a more extensive refurbishment like a kitchen or bathroom renovation can help improve market appeal of the home. We’ll work with you to decide what’s most appropriate, but the choice is entirely up to you. We can also manage this work for you to ensure it meets our quality standards.
Please note that the cost of reinstatement is always dependent on the home's condition. The information contained in this article is general in nature and not specific to you and may vary depending on the state you live in.
Here are some tips to spruce up your home before selling
It’s about more than property
There are many things to consider when making the move to retirement living. While selling your retirement home can be less profitable than buying and selling in the traditional property market, retirement living is about more than just bricks and mortar - it's an investment in your lifestyle.
And the best thing is you’ll say goodbye to the high costs of maintaining a large family home. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a vibrant lifestyle with built-in safety, security, support, community and peace of mind. Something money alone can't buy.
When the time is right for you to leave your home our Village team can help support you through the journey. We’ll guide you through any documents you need to sign on the works to be done and sale price of your home. Our teams can provide you with more information when the time comes, based on your circumstances.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not specific to you. Contract types vary across villages and some contract options may not be available at some villages. You should obtain your own independent legal advice before entering into any of our contracts.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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