Sell Your Melbourne Home Yourself: The Ultimate Private-Sale Guide

Selling your house in Melbourne—without an agent—is not only legal, it’s a powerful way to save on commission and steer every detail of your sale. With SaleByHomeOwner.com.au, a fully licensed real estate agency service, your home is listed on realestate.com.au, Domain, and other major portals—ensuring maximum exposure while keeping you in control.

Why Choose a Private Sale in VIC?

Keep More of Your Equity

Agent commissions in Australia often run between 2–3% of the sale price (plus GST). On a $900,000 home, that’s $18,000–$27,000 in fees you can avoid by going DIY—funds you can instead reinvest or pocket.

Leverage Your Local Knowledge

No one knows your neighbourhood better than you. Whether it’s school catchments, weekend markets, or the best coffee spots, you can share authentic insights with buyers—details an agent simply can’t replicate.

Control Every Marketing Decision

From headline to photos, pricing, and inspection times, you call all the shots. Our platform’s intuitive dashboard lets you update your ad live—once you hit “Save,” your changes sync instantly to realestate.com.au, Domain, and partner sites.

Benefits of Selling Privately in Melbourne

• Flexible Scheduling: Host open homes or private viewings at times that suit you and your buyers.

• Direct Communication: Answer enquiries via SMS or email, negotiate terms in real time, and build rapport with prospective purchasers.

• Tailored Budgeting: Choose only the signage, brochures, or portal upgrades you need—no hidden agent-markup costs.

Step-by-Step: Selling Your House Privately in Melbourne

1. Prepare Your Property for Market

• Declutter & Stage: Remove personal items and streamline furniture layouts to highlight space and flow.

• Minor Repairs & Touch-Ups: Fix squeaky doors, leaky taps, and chipped paint to avoid price knock-downs.

• Professional Photography: High-resolution images capture attention—consider twilight shots or drone views for standout appeal.

2. Price Your Home Strategically

• Research Comparable Sales: Use online tools and recent suburb data to set a realistic asking price.

• Valuation Reports: Optional professional appraisals ($300–$500) provide an independent benchmark.

• Pricing Format: “Fixed Price,” “Offers Over,” or “Price on Application” each target different buyer mindsets—choose what fits your goal.

3. Create a Compliant Sale Contract

• Section 32 Vendor Statement: A mandatory disclosure document outlining title details, encumbrances, and council notices.

• Contract of Sale: Have a licensed conveyancer or solicitor draft and review to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.

4. Launch Your Listing

• Craft Compelling Copy: Highlight lifestyle benefits—proximity to transport, parks, and local amenities. Keep descriptions concise, benefit-driven, and jargon-free.

• Portal Upload: As your licensed agent, salebyhomeowner.com.au pushes your listing via XML feeds to all major real estate websites, usually within 30 minutes.

5. Engage & Inspect

• Open Homes & Private Viewings: Offer a mix to suit varying buyer preferences. Provide inspection checklists or virtual tours to pre-qualify interest.

• Feedback Loop: Collect comments after each viewing to refine your pitch or adjust price expectations.

6. Negotiate and Secure an Agreement

• Written Offers Only: Require signed offers with price, deposit amount, settlement date, and any special conditions (finance approval, building inspection).

• Counter-Offers: Negotiate firmly on your bottom line while remaining open to reasonable terms—flexibility can seal the deal.

7. Exchange and Settle

• Exchange Contracts: Once both parties sign, the buyer pays the deposit (typically 10%).

• Cooling-Off Period: In Victoria, buyers have three business days to withdraw (forfeiting 0.2% of the price) unless waived.

• Settlement Day: Coordinate funds transfer, final inspections, and key handover through your conveyancer for a smooth completion.

Legal Essentials & Best Practices

• Section 32 Accuracy: Disclose all relevant property details upfront—surveys, title searches, easements, and body corporate minutes (if applicable).

• Cooling-Off Rights: Understand the buyer’s three-day cooling-off window and plan accordingly.

• Trust Accounts: Ensure any holding deposits are lodged in a compliant trust account until contracts are exchanged.

Marketing Mastery: Stand Out Online

• Professional Photos & Floor Plans: Listings with floor plans get 30% more clicks.

• Virtual Tours & Videos: Offer 24/7 walkthroughs for out-of-town or time-poor buyers.

• Social Media Boosts: Target local demographics with geo-focused Facebook or Instagram ads starting from $100.

Final Thoughts

Selling your Melbourne home privately with salebyhomeowner.com.au gives you the best of both worlds: full DIY control plus licensed-agent compliance.