Selling Your Home Without An Agent

Private sale

If you choose to sell your property yourself rather than appoint an agent, you may save money as you won’t pay any agent’s commission.

Inspect comparable properties, obtain sales figures for comparable properties in your area and find statistics on recent property sales in your area.

You will need to undertake the searches required under the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 and complete the vendor statement yourself.

You will also need to arrange and pay directly for your own advertising and make yourself available to answer calls from potential buyers and show them the property.

It is a good idea to request all offers to be in writing, including counter offers.

Contracts for the sale of land must be in writing otherwise they have no legal validity.

It is recommended that you obtain legal advice about the contract of sale, Form 1 (vendor’s statement) and any other legal documentation. Your solicitor or conveyancer can assist with preparation of the contract and vendor statement as well as obtaining the required searches.

Main reasons many people choose NOT to sell their home themselves:

• No advice on how to best present your home
• Stress of open homes
• Stress of answering many calls
• Stress of complete strangers bagging your home
• Can take much longer to sell
• May undersell your property
• Buyers may feel uncomfortable dealing directly with owners
• Are you a strong negotiator?
• YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS

If you do decide to sell your home yourself…… below are some useful guidelines:

• Inspect comparable properties, obtain sales figures for comparable properties in your area and find statistics on recent property sales in your area.
• You will need to undertake the searches required under the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 and complete the vendor statement yourself.
• You will also need to arrange and pay directly for your own advertising and make yourself available to answer calls from potential buyers and show them the property.
• It is a good idea to request all offers to be in writing, including counter offers.
• Contracts for the sale of land must be in writing otherwise they have no legal validity.
• It is recommended that you obtain legal advice about the contract of sale, Form 1 (vendor’s statement) and any other legal documentation. Your solicitor or conveyancer can assist with preparation of the contract and vendor statement as well as obtaining the required searches.