Victoria private sale article

Sell My House Myself in Melbourne

Sell your own house in Melbourne with confidence: Section 32, photos, listing copy, open homes, buyer questions and negotiation, with PLBO's tools and packages.

Selling your own house in Melbourne is absolutely achievable, and hugely rewarding! You keep a five-figure commission and show buyers the home you know better than anyone. This guide covers paperwork, presentation, open homes and negotiation, with plenty of Melbourne-specific tips. For prices and timing, see sell my home in Melbourne: 2026 prices.

Step 1: get your Section 32 ready

Your conveyancer or lawyer prepares the Section 32 vendor statement and contract of sale. The buyer must receive the Section 32 before signing, so start it on day one. Also gather:

  • Council rates, water and land tax notices
  • Owners corporation certificate (for units and townhouses)
  • Building permits for work in the last seven years
  • Pool registration and barrier certificate, if you have a pool or spa
  • ATO clearance certificate, which is free and online
  • An inclusions list

The full list is in the Victorian legal and tax checklist.

Set your price with confidence

Open your PLBO property comparables report as soon as your paperwork is under way. It brings together recent sales of similar homes near you, so you can set a Melbourne asking price backed by real evidence, not guesswork! Adjust for your home's standout features, set a clear asking price, note your private walk-away figure, and watch buyer response in your PLBO dashboard.

Step 2: present your home beautifully

Photos that stop the scroll

  • Chase the light: Melbourne's weather changes fast, so shoot on a bright day and grab a twilight exterior if you can.
  • Show what Melbourne buyers love: heating, period features, the garden, outdoor entertaining, parking and storage.
  • Style simply: clear benches, open blinds, fresh flowers, and a throw rug on the couch in winter.

Signature, Royal and Vertex include professional presentation. On Essentials, upload your own photos, floor plan, video or virtual tour.

A listing that sells the lifestyle

Use Generate with AI for the first draft, then add your personal touch:

  • A headline with the suburb and one standout feature, for example "Northcote Edwardian, 3 minutes to the 86 tram"
  • The facts: land size, bedrooms, bathrooms, living zones, parking and heating
  • Local detail: tram and train lines, café strips, parks, schools and the beach
  • Open home times and how to request the Section 32

Step 3: run open homes like a pro

  • Two set times a week: a Thursday evening and a Saturday late morning are Melbourne favourites.
  • Use PLBO inspection registration for every group.
  • Warm it up: heating on in winter, a cool breeze in summer.
  • Have Section 32 copies ready for serious buyers.
  • Tell the story: the renovation, the neighbours, the local café you'll miss!
  • Follow up within 24 hours through PLBO buyer messaging.

Step 4: negotiate with confidence

  1. Ask for offers in writing through PLBO.
  2. Qualify each buyer: finance approved? Conveyancer reviewed the Section 32?
  3. Compare the whole offer in PLBO's offer management.
  4. Respond promptly and consistently, and invite best offers by a set time if several buyers are keen.
  5. Agree terms and sign. The buyer has 3 clear business days to cool off, with $100 or 0.2% (whichever is greater) retained if they do.

A sample Saturday open home plan

TimeWhat to do
10:00 amFinal tidy: heating or cooling on, lights on, flowers out
10:45 amHelper arrives, Section 32 copies out, registration open
11:00 amDoors open! Welcome each group
11:30 amDoors close. Note keen buyers and questions
AfternoonFollow up every group through PLBO
EveningReview enquiries and offers, and celebrate!

Your listing, everywhere Melbourne buyers look

Your home goes live on PLBO and across Domain, view, homely, Soho, realty, onthehouse and allhomes*, and buyers agents find it on PLBO too.

What you'll keep

At Melbourne's average commission of about 2.43% (AgentBridge, June 2026), an agent would charge roughly $25,301 on the $1,041,205 median. With PLBO you pay one upfront fee from $699 and keep 100% of your sale proceeds.

Ready to sell your Melbourne home yourself? Choose your PLBO package, list in minutes, and keep that commission where it belongs: with you!

*Availability on allhomes.com.au may depend on the property's location, listing type and applicable portal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need before buyers can sign in Melbourne?

A Section 32 vendor statement and contract of sale, prepared by your conveyancer or lawyer. The buyer must receive the Section 32 before signing.

How long should an open home be?

Most Melbourne open homes run for 15 to 30 minutes. Set times create energy, and private appointments suit keen buyers who can't make them.

What will Melbourne buyers ask?

Expect questions about heating, energy bills, owners corporation fees (for units), council rates, building permits, what's included and settlement timing. Keep answers handy.

How does PLBO help me sell myself?

PLBO lists you on PLBO and seven major portals including Domain, gives you a property comparables report, Generate with AI descriptions, buyer messaging, inspection registration and offer management, all for one upfront fee.