THE property market continues to defy gravity. Despite three Reserve Bank interest-rate cuts this year and new seller disclosure laws, house prices keep climbing and demand remains intense.
From August 1, Queensland sellers must provide extensive disclosure documents before signing contracts, covering zoning, heritage listings, contamination, and more.
As predicted when the disclosure rules were first announced, real estate agents knew this could slow the process and – that’s exactly what’s happening with some contracts.
“It’s interesting how each solicitor is managing this,” one agent said, noting big differences in how firms handle the new requirements.
The costs are also mounting. Solicitor fees are outshining any previous charges, ranging from $1500 to $3000 just to prepare documents, with some contracts stretching from a few pages to several hundred.
“It’s becoming a little bit concerning,” another agent added, “particularly for elderly homeowners and those struggling to even get their house on the market and to understand this extra layer”.
“To start with, it’s adding yet another cost to the equation. We don’t see any benefit to this at all – other than for the lawyers doing the contracts.”
Property economist Dr Nicola Powell defends the change.
“This is about strengthening the property sector,” she said.
“It’s about ensuring buyers have all of the information they need. We have to remember most people’s largest asset IS their home.
“If you’ve got a seller trying to manipulate the system or hide something about the property, what this is trying to do is add that level of transparency.”
The market itself shows no sign of slowing.
More than 99 per cent of Brisbane homes sold in the first half of 2025 achieved a profit, with a median gain of $480,000, up sharply from about $145,000 in 2019.
Antonia Mercorella from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland is urging sellers to prepare early to avoid delays and notes the changes may even reduce contract terminations by giving buyers clearer knowledge.
With soaring profits, rising legal costs, and unrelenting demand, Brisbane’s property market remains
red-hot despite every new hurdle.
Ms Mercorella said the changes could also help sellers and potentially lead to fewer contract terminations.
“There is an argument to be made that actually they may reduce the number of contract terminations because a buyer is entering into the contract with better knowledge about the key matters affecting the property.”
