What a brokerage fee
should make clear.
An accepted seller mandate sets a 1%* seller fee; buyer advisory is a separate 1%* fee under an accepted buyer mandate. Each person’s written agreement states their own obligations.
Originally published as “How to Avoid Hidden Fees and High Brokerage When Buying or Selling Property in Goa”. Updated 11 October 2026. The original guide is retained here; references to rates, rules and market conditions should be checked against current sources and independent advice.
The purchase price is one part of a transaction. Ask which professional, government and tax charges may apply, and get each fee arrangement in writing.
A “0% buyer brokerage” headline does not explain how a service is funded. Ask whether another party pays the provider and whether the buyer has any separate obligation.
Understanding Commission Structures on New Properties
Do not assume a developer-paid fee is automatically added to a buyer’s price. Ask who pays the provider, whether the buyer has a separate obligation and what the written terms say.
Silver Sands’ standard fees: An accepted seller mandate sets a 1%* seller representation fee. Buyer advisory is a separate 1%* fee under an accepted buyer mandate. Each agreement states its scope, fee basis, payment timing, taxes and exclusions.
Separate fees and hypothetical arrangements
Our standard written mandates set a 1%* seller representation fee and a separate 1%* buyer advisory fee. The table below uses hypothetical rates for arithmetic only; it is not a comparison with other providers or market averages.
| Illustrative arrangement | Seller fee | Buyer fee | Combined fees* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Sands standard mandates | 1%* | 1%* | 2%* |
| Hypothetical example A | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Hypothetical example B | 2% | 2% | 4% |
| Hypothetical example C | 3% | 3% | 6% |
*Subject to Standard Mandate terms for accepted, clear-titled resale properties. Excludes stamp duty, registration fees, GST/taxes, government fees, third-party legal/professional costs, title correction, disputes, and non-standard advisory work. Government tax rates, stamp duty slabs, registration fees, and TDS rules are subject to change via official notification. All figures are presented for illustrative reference only and do not constitute formal legal or financial advice; current rates must be verified independently with qualified professionals before executing property deeds.
For arithmetic only, the table adds assumed seller and buyer fees. The combined figure applies only if both parties separately accept those fees; it is not the amount charged to either individual party.
An illustrative fee comparison
This illustration compares assumed fees of 2% per party with Silver Sands’ standard 1%* seller fee and separate 1%* buyer fee. These rates are hypothetical, not competitor quotations or market averages. Use actual written agreements and compare equivalent service scope and costs.
| Example value | Assumed 2% fee per party | Silver Sands 1%* fee per party | Illustrative combined difference* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹5 crore | ₹20,00,000 combined | ₹10,00,000 combined | ₹10,00,000 |
| ₹10 crore | ₹40,00,000 combined | ₹20,00,000 combined | ₹20,00,000 |
| ₹15 crore | ₹60,00,000 combined | ₹30,00,000 combined | ₹30,00,000 |
*Subject to Standard Mandate terms for accepted, clear-titled resale properties. Excludes stamp duty, registration fees, GST/taxes, government fees, third-party legal/professional costs, title correction, disputes, and non-standard advisory work. Government tax rates, stamp duty slabs, registration fees, and TDS rules are subject to change via official notification. All figures are presented for illustrative reference only and do not constitute formal legal or financial advice; current rates must be verified independently with qualified professionals before executing property deeds.
What is included in the 1%* Standard Mandate?
The accepted written mandate sets the fee and the representation work it covers. Check who communicates, coordinates marketing and viewings, and handles offers; confirm any privacy request and its limits in writing.
What is not included in the 1%* fee?
Silver Sands does not provide legal, tax, or surveying services, and these are not included in our fee. Formal legal opinions, title search validations, contract/deed drafting, boundary verification, and title dispute resolutions are separate professional services that must be handled by independent qualified professionals at your own expense.
The Private Desk Efficiency
The fee and service scope are set in the written mandate. Ask who will communicate, coordinate viewings and carry offers forward, and confirm how any request for discretion will be handled.
Further questions.
What are Silver Sands’ standard fees?
An accepted seller mandate sets a 1%* seller representation fee. Buyer advisory is a separate 1%* fee under an accepted buyer mandate. Each agreement identifies the scope and payment terms.
How should I compare another provider’s fee?
Compare actual written quotations for the same service scope, including who pays, the fee basis, timing, taxes and independent professional costs. Percentages in this guide are examples, not a survey of other providers.
What should I ask about a different provider’s advertised fee?
Ask who pays the fee, what work it covers, and whether either party has a separate obligation. Compare the actual written terms and costs; one advertised percentage does not establish which service is cheaper or more suitable.
Are there broker-side costs outside the stated fee?
The accepted written mandate states the agreed broker fee and the work it covers. Applicable taxes, government charges and independent professional costs are separate; ask for clarification before accepting an engagement.
Is one commission percentage standard across Goa?
No single percentage should be assumed across providers. Silver Sands’ standard mandate sets a 1%* seller fee and a separate 1%* buyer fee; each applies only when that party accepts the relevant written mandate.
What does the seller’s fee cover?
The accepted seller mandate sets the 1%* fee and the representation work it covers. Legal opinions, deed drafting, title searches and other independent professional work are separate and should be arranged with qualified providers.
From the original Silver Sands guide archive.