Selling without an agent in South Australia is legal, popular and so much simpler than most owners expect! An agent's job is really a set of separate tasks, and each one now has an easy home: some with you, some with your conveyancer, and the rest with PLBO. This guide shows who does what, so you can sell with confidence and keep the commission.
Who does what in an SA private sale
| Task | Who handles it | How |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | You and PLBO | your PLBO property comparables report makes it quick and confident |
| Photos and presentation | You and PLBO | your own photos on Essentials, professional presentation on Signature, Royal and Vertex |
| Listing description | You and PLBO | Generate with AI drafts it and you add the local detail |
| Advertising and exposure | PLBO | PLBO, Domain, view, homely, Soho, realty, onthehouse and allhomes*, plus buyers agents, Facebook campaigns and targeted notifications |
| Enquiries | You | PLBO buyer messaging, all in one place |
| Inspections | You | set times that suit you; PLBO inspection registration |
| Offers and negotiation | You | PLBO offer management; compare offers side by side |
| Form 1 and contract | Your conveyancer or solicitor | prepared and served for you |
| Deposit | Your conveyancer or solicitor | held in their trust account |
| Settlement | Conveyancers | electronic settlement, exactly as in any sale |
The legal work stays with a professional, just as it would with an agent. What moves to you are the most personal parts of the sale: presenting your home and talking with the people who want to buy it.
What South Australian law says
- Owners can sell their own property. No SA law requires you to use an agent.
- People paid to sell for others are regulated. Under the Land Agents Act 1994 (SA), acting for others in property sales as a business generally requires registration as a land agent. Selling your own home doesn't.
- The Form 1 is the seller's statement. Your conveyancer prepares it, and the seller makes sure it's complete and accurate. If anything changes, a notice of amendment is served, which gives the buyer a fresh cooling-off period (SA.GOV.AU).
Four skills that make a great private sale
1. Pricing from evidence
This is where PLBO gives you a head start: your property comparables report shows recent sales of similar homes near you. Weigh up your home's extras, such as a renovated kitchen, a pool or solar panels, and set your asking price with confidence. Adelaide prices have been climbing strongly, up 15.9% in the year to June 2026 on Domain's figures, so fresh, recent comparables are gold!
2. Presenting the home
Photos do the first round of selling. Declutter, clean, open the blinds and fix small items. On Signature, Royal or Vertex your package includes professional presentation. On Essentials, upload your own photos, floor plan, video or virtual tour. Then let Generate with AI draft the listing and add the details only you know.
3. Hosting inspections
Set two inspection times a week and use PLBO's inspection registration so you know who's coming. Walk buyers through, share the story of the home, and follow up within 24 hours. Owners are often the best people to show a home, because every answer is first-hand.
4. Negotiating
- Ask for every offer in writing through PLBO: price, deposit, conditions, settlement date.
- Compare the whole offer, not just the price.
- Respond calmly and consistently, and give every interested buyer the same information.
- Decide your lowest acceptable figure in advance and keep it to yourself.
When you agree terms, your conveyancer prepares the contract and the buyer's two-day cooling-off period begins.
Helpful extras
- A registered valuer for a formal valuation, if you want independent confirmation of your price
- A building and pest report you can share with buyers to answer common questions early
- A floor plan, which buyers love and which is quick and affordable to get
Handy phrases for talking with buyers
Friendly, clear and confident works best. Here are phrases SA owners use:
- When a buyer asks for your bottom line: "We've priced it using recent sales nearby. I'm happy to look at any written offer."
- When you receive an offer: "Thanks so much! Could you pop it in writing with the deposit, conditions and settlement date you'd like?"
- When more than one buyer is interested: "We've had strong interest, so I'm asking everyone for their best written offer by Monday at 5 pm."
- When a buyer asks why you're selling: "We're moving on to our next chapter, and we've loved living here!"
- When you accept: "Wonderful. I'll ask our conveyancer to prepare the contract today."
Keep every offer in PLBO's offer management, and you'll always have a clear record of who offered what and when.
Ready to sell without an agent?
You've got this! PLBO gives you the exposure, tools and guidance, and you keep the commission. Compare packages from $699 on sell my house privately in SA, or follow the 8-week plan. For the full legal list, see the SA legal and tax checklist.
*Availability on allhomes.com.au may depend on the property's location, listing type and applicable portal requirements.