Private Real Estate Sales | DIY Real Estate for selling your own home or business privately

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Australia's Ultimate Real Estate Site
for Private Sellers.

Seller Tips

► Pricing your property	► If property is tenanted	► Signage
► Legals	► Building & Pest Reports	► Info Sheet
► Preparing Your Home	► House Inspection Checklist	► Major Improvements
► Open for Inspection	► Open House Tips & Safety	► Closing The Sale
►The Contract	► Necessary Documents	► The Final Closing Date

Price your property                                                                                                                                           Return to top
It is really important that you price your property according to its market value. Do your homework! Study the market in your area and get an independent evaluation done by a professional (not a real estate agent). This will save you from over or under valuing your property.
Don't forget that it is know a requirement that you have a sustainability report for your property.
If your property is tenanted                                                                                                                             Return to top
Ensure you give you tenant the appropriate form notifying them of your intention to sell the property. You can download the forms required from the Residential Tenancy Authority in your state. Ensure you give them the correct notice periods.

Erect signage in front of property                                                                                                                  Return to top
Signage is a VERY important element in marketing your property for sale. That's why we include it as free of charge in our standard package. Most real estate is sold to people who live within a 5 km radius of the property for sale. As stated above most residential real estate is sold to buyers who live In the local area, flyer distribution is a powerful mechanism to alert the local market to your impending sale.
Place small newspaper ads pointing to web site
It is amazing how much first impressions count. We've made some suggestions to help you make the most of your property in our Tips For Preparing your Home for Sale section of the site.

Legals                                                                                                                                                                   Return to top
Don't be overwhelmed, it is easy to sell your home yourself. Even if you sell through an agent, you still need the contract of sale to be drawn up by a solicitor or conveyancer, so dont be put off by the thought of the legalities. Simply find a solicitor or conveyancer in your area who is experienced in dealing with real estate sales. The solicitor or conveyor will guide you through issues such as settlement period, sale inclusions and exclusions etc.

Building and Pest reports                                                                                                                                Return to top
Most buyers will want to see a recent building and pest report. This will facilitate the fast sale of your property as you can deal with any issues or repairs as needed prior to putting your house on the market.

Information Sheet for Buyers                                                                                                                         Return to top
Draw up an information sheet listing the features and benefits of your property. For example: ensuite bathroom, built-in cupboards, lock-up garage, new kitchen appliances etc.Make sure you also include Information on details that are not easily viewed on Inspection. Eg: land and house dimensions, sun aspect, underfloor heating, polished floorboards under carpet, ceiling insulation, distance to local shops and schools etc Don't forget to add your contact details to this sheet so that buyers can contact you if they have any further questions.

Preparing Your Home “For Sale”                                                                                                                   Return to top
First impressions are critical. If you want to achieve the best possible price for your house, it needs to be in immaculate condition. You must be able to see your house through the eyes of a buyer. The slightest fault will cause house hunters to have doubts. Conduct a thorough house inspection and take note of anything you might need to fix using our checklist.

House inspection checklist                                                                                                                            Return to top
Outside
The outside of your house is the first thing a buyer will see. If the house looks dirty or run down, people will not bother coming inside. Your house needs to look appealing enough to entice buyers through the front door. Ask yourself: does your house look attractive from the street? Does it look like a place others would be proud to call their home? Would you buy your house in its current state?
♦   Your lawn should be neat and tidy. Make sure both the front and back yards are free of weeds, leaves, branches and other debris. Trim all your trees and shrubs, and put fresh mulch in your garden beds to make them look new again.
♦   Clean, repair, and repaint any fences and gates. Decks or verandas may need to be oiled. All gates need to be in working order, as buyers won't care for excuses or explanations.
♦   Give the outside of the house a fresh coat of paint. Clean out all the gutters and downspouts. Clear the roof of any branches or debris, wash it down and make sure there are no missing tiles.
♦   Clean aluminium or vinyl with a high-pressure hose, if water restrictions in your area allow. Make sure you remove any spider webs and other insects from the outside of the house.
♦   Sweep down the driveway and footpaths. Remove any weeds, and mend any cracks in the pavement.
♦   Repaint your front door and doorframe. The doorbell and entrance light should be in working order and the doorstep clean and uncluttered. It may be a good idea to buy a new doormat if your old one is a bit shabby.
♦   Wash all windows so that they are squeaky-clean and fresh. Check that none of your flyscreens are broken, and make sure that none of the windows are cracked.
♦   Place pot plants by the front door or on the front porch. Fresh plants and flowers can enhance the charm of your house. If you are expecting buyers in the evening, it could be worth investing in a few small solar powered lamps from your local hardware, and placing them in or around any garden beds or paths.

Inside
The first thing you need to do is clean the house from top to bottom. Don't overlook any minor faults; if you notice something, a crack, a broken cupboard door, a leaky tap, chances are a buyer will too. Any minor defect will make the buyer wonder what else could be wrong with the house.
♦   You are selling space - so make lots of it! Position your furniture so that rooms appear larger. Take any worn looking or excess furniture to a self-storage unit. Furniture that looks old may give buyers the wrong impression.
♦   Run a garage sale or donate any unwanted items you may have to the Salvation Army. Junk and clutter will only distract the buyer. Reorganise and clean your garage, and any other storage areas you have.
♦   Scrub the walls to get rid of any dirty marks, stains or smudges. If the walls still look grubby after thoroughly cleaning them, you may need a fresh coat of paint. Painted or varnished surfaces should be checked for any marks or scratches, and wallpaper should be free of nicks and tears.
♦   Dry-clean your drapes and curtains. Closely inspect all windows and windowsills. If there is any water damage or chips and cracks you will need to repaint.
♦   Clean your carpet. It is worthwhile hiring a carpet shampoo machine from the local hardware. Shampoo cleaning lifts the pile and deodorizes the carpet.
♦   Have all your rugs cleaned. Wash any oriental rugs using the back of a broom for traction.
♦   Make sure all doors open and close properly. If they don't, there may be a problem with the foundations. Oil the hinges and tighten the doorknobs; remove any stickers or blue-tack from the doors and repaint if necessary.
♦   If your toilet runs water every half an hour, repair it. Strange noises from the bathroom, rust, water stains and dripping taps might be a hint that the plumbing system needs replacing, or that the bathroom needs to be re-done. ♦   Scrub the bathroom until it sparkles. Buyers will notice if it appears unsanitary. Redo the grout around the bath and shower, and check if there are any cracked tiles that need replacing.
♦   Reorganise your wardrobes so that they appear spacious. Take all non-essential items to the self-storage unit. Large wardrobes are a concern for most buyers.
♦   Replace any light switches that may be dirty or be covered in paint. Check that all dimmer switches are in working order.
♦   Your house should smell fresh and clean. If any member of the household smokes, use an air freshener a few minutes before your buyers arrive. Powder fresheners are good for removing tobacco smells. Even if you don't smoke, making a pot of fresh tea before your appointments can make your house feel homely.
♦   Buyers may be allergic to cats, or afraid of dogs. Make sure your pets are away from the property during any inspections. Give your pets a regular flea treatment and use a flea bomb once a week, especially if your house is vacant. If your pets are not around to feed on, fleas will start to attack anything that moves. The last thing you want is a buyer covered in fleabites!

Major improvements                                                                                                                                        Return to top
Do not spend any money on a place that you are selling. At Seller Solutions, our policy is "put $1 in, take $2 out. Most renovations, even adding an extra bedroom or installing a pool, will give you less than a 100% return on your investment, and are not worth the effort. Building work will also delay your sale.
Often the cheapest and simplest option to have your house looking good is a new coat of paint!

Open For Inspection                                                                                                                                         Return to top
Open for inspection days are a great way of generating interest in residential property. Remembering that some people work on Saturday mornings or have shopping to do, so the best time to have your open house is on a Saturday afternoon when most buyers are out and about inspecting houses. As a DIY seller, you will need to make yourself available for appointments at other times as well. That is the reason why Open House Inspections work so well in that they cut down the number of appointments you will have to make at other times.
To make sure people attend, you will need to run advertisements in the real estate section of the local newspapers, post "Open for Inspection" signs in the front yard and at the closest intersection or main road you will need to place directional signage. Ensure that you adhere to Local Council Regulations.

Open house tips                                                                                                                                               Return to top
►   Be certain to have plenty of flyers ready and hand them out as people come to the door. These flyers should contain details about the property ie: land size, zoning, age of the house etc.
►   Let people know that you are available to answer any questions, but don't hassle them. Leave them alone to look at the house.
►   Don't haggle. Tell people you will only accept written offers from qualified buyers.
►   Make a fresh pot of coffee before anyone arrives to create a warm homely atmosphere.
Open House Safety Tips
Open houses are not for everyone. If you do decide to have an open house there are a few safety issues you should consider. Letting a group of strangers into your house at any time is a risk. While most visitors will be honest people, there is a chance that your open house will attract thieves or vandals.
►   Make sure that you are never alone. Alert a friend or family member to the times you plan to have your open house. Arrange a time to call so that they know everything went smoothly.
►   Remove all your valuables. Place them in a safety deposit box, or give them to a friend or relative for safekeeping. Watch your visitors at all times and keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors.
►   Take down names and contact details. It may be a little awkward, but it is also a good idea to ask for ID and is also a good way to qualify buyers from lookers.
►   Make specific times for your open house. Don't let anyone into your house before or after these times. If you have drop-ins outside of these times, ask them to come back later and make an appointment.
►   Set a limit to the number of people you will allow inside the house at any one time.
►   Never tell strangers when you will be out, and never give out your home phone number. Use your mobile number when dealing with buyers and writing advertisements
►   Keep all your blinds and windows open so that neighbours and people from the street can see into the house.
►   Put safety first. If you feel uncomfortable about someone, don't let them in. If you feel you are in danger, leave the house and call the police.
Remember to be prepared, and your open house should run smoothly. It may seem like a lot of hassle, but running an open house can significantly increase your chances of selling. Many sales are made as a direct result of running an open house.

Closing the Sale                                                                                                                                                Return to top
Before you close the sale make sure the buyer will qualify for a home loan. This is the only way you can know for certain that they can afford to buy your house. Once you are satisfied that everything is in order, discuss a tentative closing date with the buyer, your lawyer, and your mortgage broker. Ensure that all parties are happy with the date you set.
Work closely with your mortgage broker and lawyer to come up with a Contract For The Sale of Real Estate you feel confident with. It is important that you follow all the correct procedures and don't overlook any details, as minor problems will delay the sale.

The contract                                                                                                                                                      Return to top
Next you will need to sign the contract. All parties will need a copy, most importantly the buyer and the seller (you). Your lawyer, mortgage broker and conveyancing firm will also need copies. The Contract will require you to collect a house deposit from the buyer. The deposit is your insurance that the buyer will follow through with the sale. Your lawyer will help you determine an appropriate amount, usually 10 percent. Make sure you give your Lawyer the deposit. It will be held in your Lawyer's Trust Account until settlement.
Talk to your lawyer about obtaining the correct documents. You should have all the legal paperwork well and truly ready before the first buyer sets foot on your property. Your lawyer will also be able to do a title search to make sure there are no encumbrances or liens. A lien is a legal claim for outstanding debts on the property such as council rates, or payments owing to other creditors who have obtained a court order to pay outstanding monies. Builders often use liens to protect their interests in a building they are constructing.

Necessary documents                                                                                                                                    Return to top
Section 32 Vendor's Statement
The Section 32 Vendor's Statement is a legal document you need to provide to the buyer before a real estate contract is signed. "Section 32" refers to Section 32 of the Sale of Land Act, which states that the seller must make certain information available to the buyer. If the seller fails to provide the information outlined in the Section 32 Vendor Statement, the buyer may be able to cancel the contract.

Owner-builder's declaration                                                                                                                         Return to top
If you are an owner-builder, you will need to obtain a property inspection report detailing the condition of the house, and any defects or incomplete works. Check with your local council for the exact requirements.
Energy rating statement
In some states and territories, it is mandatory to obtain an energy rating statement before selling your house. The rating system was introduced so that the energy efficiency of a property will be reflected in its market value, therefore creating incentive for environmentally friendly development.
Tests and inspections
Make sure all the appropriate tests and inspections have been done. Check with your local council, as there may be specific requirements in your area, and make sure to distribute the test results to your lawyer or conveyancing firm. Common inspections include:
►   Valuation
►   Well and Septic
►   Soil
►   Termites
►   Roof
Any repairs should be done well in advance of the closing date. You will also need to arrange to transfer the utilities. Talk to your lawyer about any outstanding debts you owe on the property including the mortgage.

The final closing date                                                                                                                                      Return to top
Once you're sure everything is in order, go ahead and set a firm closing date. Remember that as a DIY seller, you are the one that will have to make sure everything runs smoothly. Keep everyone in the loop, and make sure they know what stage of the process you're at. Once all the necessary documents have been signed, the keys can be handed over, and the transaction is complete.
Your house is finally sold!

DISCLAIMER: This information is to be used and applied as a guide only. Please seek professional advice for more information. DIY Realty holds no responsibility for the use of information provided above. Don't forget that it is a requirement that you have a sustainability report for your property that needs to be presented to any prospective buyer. You can download the report for free from the internet.
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