High body corporate or owners corporation (OC) fees and levies are among the top concerns for both sellers and buyers of investment apartments and units. Genneva Smarrelli’s philosophy: never hide the facts—instead, bring net return and true investment drivers to the forefront, and you’ll find the right buyer, even for properties other agents struggle to shift.
Why High Fees Matter—but Aren’t Always a Deal Breaker
- High OC fees impact net yield and cash flow, but if the property is competitively priced and the income covers the outgoings, many investors remain interested.
- Cash buyers and syndicates may make the decision based on total return, not just the headline fees.
Genneva’s Carlton Case Study—Selling Three Studios Others Couldn’t
- 3 studio apartments in Carlton, all under 50 sqm
- High body corporate/levy costs in two separate buildings
- Many competing listings already online, some at lower prices
- Transparent marketing focusing on net yield and real outgoings
- Result: two cash buyers purchased, both aware of high fees, because net yield with tenants stacked up
How to Position High-Fee Properties for Success
- Prepare full disclosure packs showing all OC fees, levies, and special costs
- Explain reason for high fees (e.g., building works, facilities, insurance)
- Frame the real net numbers: rent – (fees, levies, management) = investable yield
- Pre-empt buyer objections by providing a profitability snapshot
Transparency and Integrity
Genneva’s advice: Never withhold or sugar-coat fee information. Serious buyers will find out regardless—early transparency avoids wasted time and the “bait and switch” traps that cause deals to fall over late in the process.
Summary
The right investor will make a decision based on total, true returns. For apartments and units with high fees, shift the focus to honest, net-yield based positioning—the approach that turned Genneva’s “difficult” Carlton apartments into completed sales other agents simply could not deliver.
Find your next property with Collings
Track suburbs, get matched to on-market and off-market listings, and manage your whole property search in one place. Access the Collings property portal.
