Selling without an agent in New South Wales is legal, popular and so much simpler than most owners expect! An agent's job is really a set of separate tasks, and each has an easy home: some with you, some with your solicitor or conveyancer, and the rest with PLBO. Here's who does what.
Who does what in a NSW private sale
| Task | Who handles it | How |
|---|---|---|
| Contract for sale | Your solicitor or conveyancer | prepared with the prescribed documents before you advertise |
| Pricing | You and PLBO | your PLBO property comparables report |
| Photos and presentation | You and PLBO | your own photos on Essentials; professional presentation from Signature up |
| Listing description | You and PLBO | Generate with AI drafts it, you add the local detail |
| Advertising | PLBO | PLBO, Domain, view, homely, Soho, realty, onthehouse and allhomes*, plus buyers agents, Facebook campaigns and notifications |
| Enquiries | You | PLBO buyer messaging |
| Inspections | You | your times; PLBO inspection registration |
| Offers and negotiation | You | PLBO offer management |
| Exchange and deposit | Your solicitor or conveyancer | deposit held in trust |
| Settlement | Solicitors or conveyancers | electronic settlement, as in every sale |
The legal work stays with a professional, exactly as in an agent sale. What moves to you is the most personal part: presenting your home and talking with the people who want it.
What NSW law says
- Owners can sell their own property. No NSW law requires an agent.
- The contract must be ready before you advertise (NSW Government).
- Prescribed documents are attached to the contract: the title search, drainage diagram, the council's planning certificate, any easement or covenant dealings, and the smoke alarm and loose-fill asbestos notice. Pool properties also attach a pool certificate (NSW Government).
- Acting for others is licensed. People who sell property for others as a business generally need a NSW property licence. Selling your own home doesn't.
Four skills that make a great private sale
1. Pricing from evidence
Open your PLBO property comparables report and look at recent sales of similar homes near you. Weigh up your extras, such as a renovated kitchen, off-street parking, a pool or a harbour glimpse, and set your price with confidence.
2. Presenting the home
Declutter, clean, let the light in and fix small items. Professional presentation is included from Signature up. Then let Generate with AI draft the description and add the details only you know.
3. Hosting inspections
Set two times a week, register every group in PLBO, and share your contract with serious buyers so their solicitor can review it early. That speeds up exchange!
4. Negotiating
- Ask for offers in writing through PLBO.
- Compare the whole offer: price, deposit, conditions and settlement date.
- Respond calmly and consistently.
- Keep your walk-away figure to yourself.
When you agree, your conveyancer arranges exchange. The buyer then has 5 business days to cool off, unless they've given a section 66W certificate.
Handy phrases for talking with buyers
- "What's your bottom line?" "We've priced it on recent sales nearby, and I'm happy to consider any written offer."
- Receiving an offer: "Thank you! Could you pop it in writing with the deposit, conditions and settlement date?"
- Several buyers keen: "We've had strong interest, so I'm inviting best written offers by Monday at 5 pm."
- Accepting: "Wonderful, I'll ask our conveyancer to arrange exchange today."
Helpful extras
- A registered valuer, if you'd like a formal valuation too
- A pre-sale building and pest report, which gives buyers confidence and speeds up decisions
- A floor plan, which buyers love and which is quick and affordable
You've got this!
PLBO gives you the exposure, tools and guidance, and you keep the commission. Compare packages on sell my house privately in NSW, or follow the NSW 8-week plan.
*Availability on allhomes.com.au may depend on the property's location, listing type and applicable portal requirements.