Preparing to sell privately
What actually happens in a private sale? It's simpler than you think.
1. You market the property
Create your property pack here, then share your marketing materials everywhere buyers look: Facebook, local community groups, your networks, and a sign out front of your house of course!
All of your material contains a QR code that will direct buyers directly to your site. You run the viewings, private or open homes, up to you. Nobody sells your home's story better than you!
2. Buyers contact you directly
Every enquiry brings the buyer's details straight to you, and you take it from there. You arrange viewings and agree price and conditions directly with the buyer, in your own time.
3. Your lawyer handles the paperwork
When you and a buyer agree terms, a lawyer prepares the Sale & Purchase agreement. In New Zealand this is the standard ADLS/REINZ form that lawyers use every day. Both sides engage their own lawyer for conveyancing, exactly as they would in an agented sale.
Common conditions buyers include: finance approval, a building inspection, a LIM report, and a title search. Your lawyer will walk you through all of them.
Pricing and choosing a sale method
Setting the price and deciding how to invite offers is the part most private sellers agonise over. Our guide to pricing your home covers how to triangulate a fair figure from your CV, property estimates and comparable sales. It also compares the sale methods, By Negotiation, Asking Price, Deadline Sale, Tender and Enquiries Over.
Useful official resources
Settled.govt.nz on selling privately (the government's independent guide) and govt.nz on selling your house.
This page is general information about how a private sale works, not legal, financial, tax or valuation advice, and we are not a licensed real estate agency. Figures are indicative and change. For advice about your own situation, talk to your lawyer, accountant or a registered valuer. By listing you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Get the full workbook when you list
This is a three-page preview. Create your property pack and the complete ten-page workbook, the timeline, the cost comparison with using an agent, what to be upfront about, your task checklist, the marketing rundown and how to get your own network working for you, is there on your dashboard, in your listing's colours.