8 min read
All guidesThe process at a glance
Get an appraisal
Understand your home's likely value range from recent comparable sales — not a number plucked from the air.
Choose your agent
Compare track record, communication, fee structure and the campaign they propose — not just the lowest commission.
Prepare the home
Repairs, a declutter, light styling and professional photography make the first impression buyers form online.
Launch the campaign
Listing on the major portals, signboard, social and the agency database, with a clear price guide.
Open homes & feedback
Inspections run over 3–4 weeks; your agent reports buyer numbers, feedback and price signals each week.
Negotiate or go to auction
Offers are negotiated privately, or competing buyers bid on auction day under the hammer.
Sign & settle
Contracts exchange, the deposit is paid, and settlement (commonly 30–90 days) transfers the property and funds.
Start with an honest appraisal
A market appraisal is a free, no-obligation estimate of your home's likely selling range, based on recent comparable sales in your suburb and the current level of buyer demand. It is not a sworn valuation (that is a separate, paid service usually for finance or legal purposes).
A good agent will walk you through the comparable sales they have used and explain the reasoning — so the range is defensible, not just optimistic.
Choosing the right agent
Commission matters, but the cheapest fee can cost you far more if it comes with a weaker campaign or a price that scares buyers off. Weigh local track record, how clearly they communicate, the marketing plan, and whether their proposed price guide is grounded in evidence.
- Recent sales of similar homes in your area
- A written marketing plan and price guide
- Clear, transparent fees and what they cover
- How and how often they will report to you
Method of sale
The two main paths are auction and private sale (private treaty). Auctions create competition and a deadline and suit in-demand homes; private sale offers a calmer, more flexible negotiation. Your agent should recommend the method that fits your property and the current market — see our dedicated auction-vs-private-sale guide.
Offers, contracts and settlement
In a private sale, offers are usually submitted and negotiated through the agent. Once you accept, contracts are signed and (after any cooling-off period) become binding. At auction, the winning bid is unconditional on the fall of the hammer.
Settlement is the day the balance is paid and ownership transfers — commonly 30, 60 or 90 days later, as agreed in the contract. Your conveyancer or solicitor handles the legal mechanics.
This guide is general information for South East Melbourne, not legal or financial advice. Costs and rules vary and can change — confirm specifics with your agent, conveyancer or the relevant Victorian authority.
