US funds management giant Hines is in talks to buy the 121 Castlereagh office complex in the heart of the Sydney CBD from Cbus Property in a deal worth about $220m.

The deal is a shot in the arm for the office market, which is digesting an unprecedented flood of towers hitting the block as vendors look to sell out in a $10bn rush to market ahead of higher bond yields hitting valuations.

Cbus Property is selling premium offices as it pours funds into new projects and recently sold interests in 5 Martin Place, Sydney, and in Melbourne’s 171 Collins Street, to Mirvac’s flagship office fund for close to $640m.

The impending 121 Castlereagh deal is being struck at an initial yield of about 6.1 per cent, showing the ongoing demand for premium office space, which is forecast to perform strongly over the remainder of this cycle as the office market shifts into recovery.

The property at 121 Castlereagh, Sydney

Buyers are chasing high-quality assets while lower grade buildings are coming under pressure as tenants seek to upgrade. The building at 121 Castlereagh Street is part of the larger mixed use redevelopment of the former David Jones menswear store.

Retail property heavyweight Scentre Group and Cbus Property purchased the historic David Jones Market Street building in Sydney’s CBD for $360m in 2016.

They transformed the Sydney CBD landmark in Sydney’s Hyde Park precinct that was originally built in 1938. Scentre handled the retail while Cbus Property had carriage of the offices and luxury apartments in Sydney’s Hyde Park precinct.

Hines is buying the six-level premium office stratum which sits over the expanded Westfield Sydney luxury retail precinct.

Completed in 2025, the original site was redeveloped into 11,500sq m of premium office space where workspaces are connected by a central atrium that draws in natural light. Tenants include APA, The Commons and The Mint Partners.

Hines is keen to boost its exposure to Australia’s office sector, partly as minimal new supply is expected from 2027 onward, positioning the sector for a fundamental rebound and above-average forward rent growth.

The recovery dynamic is also backed by the supply of A-grade space tightening meaningfully over the past 12 months. Sydney office leasing demand has also been on a positive trend, though tenants remain selective, with demand concentrated in high-quality CBD assets.

The deal is being brokered by Cushman & Wakefield’s Josh Cullen and Mark Hansen and Ray White Commercial’s Ian Hetherington and Ursula Hunt.

They and the parties declined to comment but the building also drew interest from Hong Kong-based PAG and local real estate funds group AsheMorgan.

The prime-grade office tower spans 11,480sq m and it is underpinned by a 6.82-year weighted average lease expiry, with a fully leased net income of $14.38m.

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Selling your house? Here’s a few tricks from the advertising industry to help you think like Mad Men’s Don Draper.

Houses are a product to be sold like any other so some basic advertising rules work well.

Advertisers love to overcomplicate with jargon, strategies, techniques and theories that are alien to most of us. I was in the advertising industry for over 10 years and was guilty of all the above. Now I’m a home stager and, by way of apology, this article simplifies the advertising process into three steps and relates it back to selling your house.

Positioning your property

How you position your property in the market is a crucial first step to getting it sold. You need to consider three things:

The features of your product (property)

Look at your house objectively and write down the key features e.g. spacious living areas, architect designed, near good schools, subdividable block, original fireplaces.

The ‘what’s in it for me factor’

In other words, if someone were to buy your property, what are the benefits to him or her?  What will it get for them or allow them to do? E.g. entertain friends, have their mum live with them, catch the train to work, no weekend maintenance.

Who is your most likely buyer?

Your property won’t appeal to everyone, so based on the above features and benefits you now need to get clear on your most likely buyer. Firstly, think about their demographics. Are they married with two primary school aged kids? First time buyers with no kids? Single professionals? Downsizers?

Overlay this insight with their lifestyle. Do they like entertaining? Do they spend a lot of time at home? Will they want a big garden to maintain if they’re always travelling?
Finally think about their values and what motivates them. Is it freedom, fun, excellence or something else? Remember that your most likely buyer might not be like you or at the same stage of life as you.

Now you’ve got a good picture of your most likely buyer, the benefits to them of buying your property and the features they are looking for.

First time buyers with no kids? Single professionals? Downsizers?

The idea

The idea is how you communicate your positioning with the most impact. In advertising terms this is the actual ad. A successful ad makes the product appealing and forms an emotional connection that persuades consumers to buy the product. When selling, your property is now the ad and it’s your job to make it appealing to your most likely buyer.

Here are some examples:

• Change a storage room into a nursery
• Set up an entertaining area near the pool
• Find a quiet study area away from the living room
• Change a kid’s play room into a formal dining room

Remind yourself that everything communicates.

From the cookbook in the kitchen bench, to the style of quilt cover on the master bed, to the magazines on the coffee table, and the hand soap in the bathroom.

Your aim is for your most likely buyer to think ‘This house is for me. I have to live here.’

Your message

If you’re pitching to entertainers, make sure your visuals speak to them

Your message is how you communicate your idea. When selling your property this covers three main areas:

Copy

The copy should talk directly to your most likely buyer in their language and explain the features and benefits. Put simply ‘what will your buyers gain by buying your property?’

Pictures & video

With a correctly positioned property, picture selection will be easy and will showcase the features and benefits that will hook a buyer enough to view the property. Images should always be vibrant and highlight the best aspects of what’s in frame. Video is being used more often, to offer tours and behind the scenes of your property ‘experience’. Consider if this is appealing to your most likely buyer and partner with your agent to make it happen.

Media

The famous Marshall McLuhan saying “the medium is the message” is important here. If you’re selling a benefit of excellence then a door drop and the local paper may not be the right strategy but a Premiere property listing on realestate.com.au and a glossy magazine could be. Think about how different combinations of media can get your message across in the right way to the right audience at the right time.

And that’s it!

Position your property to your most likely buyer, make it as appealing as possible to them, then communicate that appeal through copy, pictures and the media they use, and of course, ask your agent, they’ve done this all before and can advise. 

This article was originally published on
6 Sep 2012 at 11:59am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

Your house has been dwindling on the market for months, even years, yet nobody wants to bite. What’s going wrong – and more importantly – how can you turn it around?

If your property has been on the market for a long time and you’re just not able to move it, here’s seven things you can do to get out of the rut and get that sold sticker.

1. Refresh your advertising

Most buyers are looking at properties well in advance of purchase. Some research for years. If your listing and promotional details remain unchanged for months on end, your potential buyers will notice – and not notice you as a result.

Shake up your advertising if it’s not working for you as it is.

Photos are one of the most important ways buyers connect with and spark interest in your house. Rotate them around and hero a different shot for people to come across first.

If you had a picture of the inside, try a shot of the facade from the street. Refresh them several times and test the impact on different people, including some you know and trust to give you an honest opinion.

Consider taking new shots if you others aren’t doing the job. If you had an evening shot, try a day time shot. Get help from professionals who know how to accentuate the positive.

Update your property description and try new ways to sell your place to the uninitiated. Work with your agent and be creative in content and approach.

Think carefully about your target market (if you don’t have one, that’s your first problem to solve…)

Try another of our realestate.com.au advertising options. Ask your agent to upgrade you to a featured or premiere listing, or send out a digital brochure.

Premiere properties receive 15 times more views and 8 times more enquiries than a standard ad. You’ll be throwing hard earned money away if you keep paying for an advertising plan that isn’t delivering.

Vary your tactics and when you see results, press your advantage.

2. Change your price

You’ll pay the price if you end up stubbornly attached to one.

The three most important factors in selling a property are location, presentation, and price.

Price points are psychological triggers. One to five thousands dollars in the right direction can spark interest and make a buyer feel a purchase is possible.

In a stagnant or depressed market, price is incredibly sensitive, and can stop an interested buyer from clicking on your listing or lodging that enquiry.

If you’ve had your property listed for some time, the market will have shifted around it. Your price might have started in the ballpark, but now it’s not tenable. Reassess based on comparable properties in todays market terms and re-advertise at a price buyers can confidently respond to.

Put yourself in the shoes of your buyers and be honest about a reasonable cost. Work with your agent and lower that price as much as you need to.

There’s no point clinging to a price dream if your property sits on the market for another year. If you want, or need to sell, then price to sell in the current market (not the market you originally bought in).

3. Take a break from the market

Three things tend to happen if you keep your property on the market for a long time without a break.

Buyers will make a mental note to avoid it, fearing something is wrong because it’s been hanging around so long.

Buyers will use it’s time on market as a negotiating tool, trying to leverage your desperation and arguing that you should be glad for any offer you get.

Or buyers will tune out your property altogether, skimming past it in listings because they’ve seen it so often they’re blind to it.

Three months is often a turning point, when buyers slip comfortably into one of the above scenarios, and you start to get worried.

Though some buyers are on the hunt for a while, each day they’re joined by even more.

If you can afford it, giving your property a rest for a few months means you’ll have a whole new crop of buyers ferreting out their perfect place. They’ll never have met yours, so you’re in with a fresh chance!

4. Give your property a makeover

Get the lowdown from your agent and, if they’re cooperative, buyers who’ve passed on your place. Ask them what turned them off and ask them to be brutally honest. Determine if a refresh is in order.

Ideally you’ll get some specifics that will help you focus any improvements you need to make. It could be the colour of the walls. The lack of decent curb appeal. A garden that feels too high maintenance. A small kitchen. The impression that too much renovation will be needed, or just that the place seemed too messy whenever it was being inspected.

If you haven’t invested in home staging, try it. The professional eye of a stager or stylist can set you up to appeal to your target market, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Look at low cost, quick facelifts, like a new coat of paint, a better clean up inside, or some attractive plants in the garden.

It might be that a more substantial renovation is needed, and if it will increase your odds of sale and a good price, it’s probably a better alternative than sitting on the market indefinitely.

Weigh up how much you could invest in big improvements and talk to experts about the changes most likely improve your chances of sale. Be careful not to overcapitalise (there are no guarantees), and remember that even a small effort could yield the return you’re looking for.

5. Go comparison shopping

You may have done a ton of homework on selling your house, but forgot to scope out the competition.

• Work with your agent to get a handle on how your place measures up against similar properties in the area; in architecture and style, price, size, bedroom and bathroom numbers, land and yard area, proximity to amenities, quality of interiors, style of presentation, and everything in between.
• Attend open inspections and auctions. Talk to other buyers at those homes and gather insights.
• Don’t just compare the property itself. Have a snoop at how those homes are bring presented, how their open inspections are being run, whether they’re being sold at auction or by private treaty, and anything else that jumps out at you. See what’s popular and what people are talking about.
• Comparing doesn’t mean making your property conform to everyone else’s. It’s about getting in touch with the reality of the market in your area and price bracket. It’s staying abreast of trends or contexts that might impact your sale.
• And it’s being able to ask a price you can justify. When you can compare apples with apples, you’re ready to set up shop.

6. Be open to advice

If your property has been languishing on the market for some time, you’ve probably already asked for help. You’ve checked with your agent, or asked family or friends about why they think your place isn’t hooking a new owner.

But you might not be listening, especially if they’re telling you things you might not want to hear.

Ask for advice (if you haven’t yet, now’s the time), and truly be open to it; from your agent, from property experts, from potential buyers and those you trust.

You might not be listening, especially if they’re telling you things you might not want to hear.

Steel yourself for a reality check and commit to taking on constructive suggestions.

7. Don’t lay blame (especially on yourself)

It’s easy to point fingers if your property isn’t living up to expectations. Selling can be highly stressful, and if you’re in a tricky financial spot (e.g. you’ve already purchased another property and are feeling the pressure to sell in a hurry), the tension can be crippling.

Like any stressful situation, getting upset or angry won’t help.

Even if you decide you need to move to a new real estate agent, don’t leave with a grudge or you won’t be fully focused on the new chance to sell your home. An agent and vendor relationship is a two way street and you two may just not have worked as a partnership.

Refocus, take a breath, then re-arm with any new tools or support you need to get back out there.

Taking a break from the market helps get you back on track and stop blame in its tracks.

Stay positive and you’re half way there. Maybe you honestly weren’t ready to sell.

Refocus, take a breath, then re-arm with any new tools or support you need to get back out there. There might only be some small changes to your home and your strategy standing in the way of you and the finish line.

This article was originally published on
12 Nov 2012 at 8:57am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

The last few years seem have seen the market falling and many cautious homeowners have seemingly been put off selling their properties, waiting until the market picks up again so they can secure a higher sale price.

But waiting for the market may not always be the best option. If your property is a little run down and needs work, then keeping it in the condition it’s in and waiting to sell could do more harm than good, especially in a developing, up and coming suburb.

Is it worth waiting?

If your home’s getting too difficult to maintain, or is seemingly too expensive to renovate, it might be time to consider selling sooner, rather than later.

RPData reports have been showing modest gains in most capital cities, so the worst, it seems, is behind us. There are some gains to be had as prices recover and there are certainly still some bargains to be had for those looking to buy away from CBD across the nation.

Aside from financial gains and avoided losses, there are personal perspectives which come into play when you’re looking to sell which can be key to your decision; to quote US blogger and realtor Rodney Camren, these are “your living needs; the condition of the home; your neighbourhood; and your community.”

Although speaking about the American property market, Mr Camren has some good points.

Your living needs

This  is about assessing whether the home is fit for purpose.

You may want a bigger space now the kids have come along or perhaps even downsize if they have moved out and you’re heading into your retirement years. It is also possible you need to consider a granny flat for an older parent, or now have a dog and need a yard. In some sadder instances a family breakup might necessitate the need to downsize.

“We thought our home was absolutely fine when we moved in with little kids,” says Peta Jones from the North Western Sydney, NSW.

“We were careful to plan for a rumpus room and their own rooms. But now they have hobbies, and we have a full sized piano taking up half the rumpus room; their wardrobes are overflowing and there’s only one toilet and bathroom in the house resulting in a queue at peak times.”

Conversely Pamela Matheson from Mudgee, NSW is finding her space more difficult to manage, “We still love the open space and have room for our animals, but as we approach our seventies, maintaining 75 acres is becoming more of a chore than a pleasure.”

Condition of the home

Pamela goes on to say, “There was a time we thought nothing of carrying out maintenance ourselves, but now we have retired and income is limited, and physically it has become more cumbersome to make repairs and keep it up to date”.

Your neighbourhood

This is an important factor, both in terms of its curb appeal and appearance, but also in terms of the demographic of people and the atmosphere. It could be that neighbouring houses are being bought up by younger families and you are an empty nester looking for a different pace of life, (or vice versa), or there is an increase in high density housing, taking away from the community feel.

Are neighbouring houses are being bought up by younger families, while you’re an empty nester?

Perhaps people no longer care for their gardens and it’s looking a bit rundown and ramshackle. In many cases one or two people in a community can completely change the atmosphere.

Community

Community is an extremely important factor.

It’s important your local community offers what you need for your life, whether that is job opportunities, schools for the kids, aged care facilities, doctors and healthcare and general infrastructure.

Fiona Digges from the Hawkesbury region says: “When we first bought our home we found great pre-schools and primary schools but as the children get older, we are panicking about the lack of decent public high schools and the sheer distance from any private schools.

Coupled with that, there’s a tonne of development going on and no provision to upgrade infrastructure like roads or public transport. We are seriously looking at moving away from the area now.”

In many cases, the decision to stay or go can be based on the factors which can’t be changed, in many cases they can be changed but emotions can get in the way, but either way, if  you find you are struggling with any of these areas, it might be time to consider selling up and moving on.

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This article was originally published on
19 Sep 2013 at 11:46am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

Typically, selling a house means preparing it for the market, scheduling showings, negotiating with buyers, and waiting for the deal to close. While the traditional method of selling a home works for many, selling to an iBuyer is an alternative route that may work well for your situation. 

For homeowners who value convenience, speed, or a more predictable timeline, selling your house to an iBuyer could be an appealing option. Whether you’re selling your house in Indianapolis, IN, or just inherited a home in Houston, TX that you don’t know what to do with, gaining an understanding of the process and the differences you’ll encounter from a traditional sale will help you make an informed decision. 

What is an iBuyer?

An iBuyer, short for “instant buyer,” is a company that uses technology and housing market data to make offers on eligible homes. Instead of listing your home and waiting for individual buyers to submit offers, you sell directly to the company.

The term “iBuyer” can encompass a wide variety of business models even though not all businesses identify as an iBuyer. For the purpose of this article, we refer to an iBuyer as a general term for a third-party company that makes cash offers on homes. If you’re choosing a cash-offer company, look into their business model to understand their specific processes.

Is selling to an iBuyer better than a traditional listing? 

Both options have their pros and cons. Pursuing a traditional sale with a real estate agent may be a better option if you’re hoping to earn more from your home sale, but the length of the process can vary depending on the housing market and other conditions. An iBuyer is a great way to sell a home quickly, especially in certain scenarios, but may not bring the highest return when selling as-is. Here’s how Sierra Property Buyers explains the general process:

“Selling to a cash buyer or iBuyer is usually far simpler than a traditional listing. You receive a written offer (ideally with the math behind it – after-repair value, estimated repairs, holding costs, and margin), choose a closing date that works for you, and walk away with cash in as little as 7–14 days with zero commissions or repair costs. The best fit is someone who needs certainty and speed – inherited or probate properties, homes that need work, rentals with tenants, or sellers who simply don’t want the hassle of showings and contingencies. What often surprises people is how transparent a good local buyer will be about the numbers, and that we sometimes tell you that listing with an agent would net you more.”

The iBuyer process

1. Share information about your home

The process typically begins online. You’ll enter your address and provide details about the property, such as its size, age, condition, features, and any recent upgrades. Some companies may also ask for photos or additional information about renovations, repairs, or other characteristics of the home.

The iBuyer then uses this information, along with local housing data and its own valuation methods, to determine the property’s worth and whether it qualifies as a property they can buy. Unlike preparing for a traditional listing, you generally don’t need professional listing photos, an open house, or a marketing plan just to request an offer.

“The process is short by design,” says Kevin Ramirez, owner of NC Homebuyers, an instant cash-offer company in Raleigh, NC. “A seller submits their property information, we run the valuation on our end, and depending on the home we may do a quick walkthrough before finalizing the number. From there it is typically 15–21 days to closing, though most iBuyers will work around whatever date the seller needs, whether that is next week or two months out. The part sellers appreciate most is that the offer is as-is: no repairs, no cleanup, no showings, no lender, and no appraisal to wait on.” 

2. Receive an offer 

If your home meets the company’s criteria, the iBuyer may provide an initial or preliminary offer. One of the biggest differences from a traditional sale is that you can potentially receive an offer without publicly listing the home or waiting to see how buyers respond.

Keep in mind that an initial offer may not be the final amount. The company may still need to assess the condition of the home before confirming the price and any repair-related deductions.

“Our process is simple,” says Jaime G., CEO of Done Deal Homebuyers: “Once we give a seller our final number, that is the exact amount they will net at closing. We pay all closing costs, there are no commissions or hidden fees, and we buy the property as-is. We do not lower our price later unless there is a major undisclosed issue with the property, such as severe foundation damage or black mold.”

3. The iBuyer evaluates your home

After an offer is made, the company will typically verify the home’s condition. Occasionally, this step will come before an initial offer, but it largely depends on the company’s process. Regardless, be prepared to verify your home’s condition before receiving a final, firm offer. 

The verification process can also vary by company, as some will perform an in-person walkthrough while others may request photos or a virtual tour. Overall, the goal is generally to confirm that the home matches the information provided and identify any repairs or maintenance the company believes are needed.

4. Repairs may affect your final proceeds

One reason it’s important to distinguish between an initial offer and your estimated proceeds is that repairs can affect the final numbers. After evaluating the property, an iBuyer may identify repairs or improvements it expects to make before reselling the home. Depending on the company and transaction, those costs may be deducted from what the seller receives.

Instead of asking you to complete the work before selling, the company may allow you to leave the home as-is and account for the repairs in the offer. That can save sellers the time and effort of hiring contractors and completing projects before moving, but it’s still a cost to consider when comparing selling options.

“For many sellers, the biggest advantage of selling directly is certainty. They know exactly what they’re getting, they don’t have to make repairs or deal with showings, and they can choose a closing date that works for them,” adds Jaime G. “The best offer is not always the highest number on paper – it’s the offer you can actually count on closing at.”

5. Review the entire offer 

Before accepting an iBuyer offer, look at the entire financial picture. The offer price is only one number. Depending on the company and transaction, your final proceeds could also be affected by repair deductions, closing costs, taxes, or other expenses.

“Sellers should expect the offer to account for the costs of back taxes, possible liens, and the final water bill, so the final proceeds – not just the initial offer price – are what matter most,” says Dylan Richey, co-owner of Your Ohio Home Buyer in Dayton, OH. “This model is a great fit for homeowners who value convenience, certainty, and a predictable timeline, especially those who want to avoid traditional inspections, costly repairs, showings, open houses, agent commissions, probate or estate work, and the traditional listing process.”

Asking for an estimate of what you are expected to receive after these costs can make it easier to compare an iBuyer offer with what you might get from a traditional listing.

6. Choose a closing date

For some sellers, the timeline is one of the biggest advantages of working with an iBuyer. Rather than depending on an individual buyer’s mortgage approval or coordinating around a long chain of contingencies, you may be able to choose from a range of available closing dates. This kind of flexibility can be helpful if you’re relocating for work, buying another home, or simply want more certainty about when you’ll need to move.

“Sellers are often surprised to find out they can continue living in their house after they sell it,” explains Billings Home Buyers. “Most of the marketing in the industry promotes how fast a house can be sold by going with an iBuyer, but we find that most of our sellers are more interested in post-closing occupancy than a fast sale. Many sellers will want a month or two to live in their house after the sale so that they have their sale proceeds when they actually need them. This makes things much easier than trying to sell one house, find another, and move all at the same time.”

Exact timelines and policies vary, so confirm your options with the company before accepting an offer.

7. Close on the sale

If you accept the final terms, the transaction moves toward closing. Once closing requirements are completed, ownership transfers to the buyer and you receive your proceeds at or shortly after closing.

The experience can feel simpler than a traditional listing because there are fewer prospective buyers, showings, and negotiations to manage, but remember: it is still a real estate transaction with contracts and financial terms that deserve careful review.

Is selling to an iBuyer right for you?

Selling to an iBuyer can offer speed, convenience, and a more predictable process, especially in unpredictable scenarios. Homeowners should carefully evaluate the offer, fees, repair deductions, and estimated net proceeds before deciding on a selling option. Understanding how the iBuyer process works can help you decide which path makes the most sense for your home, timeline, and financial goals.

Depending on your situation, deciding to sell your home with an iBuyer vs using a more traditional route could be an appealing alternative. Fewer showings, a faster sale, and the option to sell as-is can be helpful to sellers with homes they want to sell quickly, although you might not get as much as you could from selling it on the open market.  

Whether you’re selling a home in Denver, CO or debating the best route for an inherited home in Portland, OR, consider what matters most to you – including price, speed, convenience, and certainty.

Potential advantages of selling to an iBuyer

Convenience

Foregoing the traditional listing process may mean fewer showings, open houses, and interruptions to your schedule.

“For many homeowners, one of the biggest reliefs is realizing they do not have to live around the sale of their home,” shares Ohio Cash Buyers from Cincinnati, OH. “Keeping everything constantly show ready, rearranging your schedule around appointments, and having stranger after stranger walk through the place where you are still living can become exhausting very quickly. With an iBuyer, homeowners can often avoid much of that disruption and go through the selling process without feeling like their home, schedule, and everyday life have to revolve around the sale. Sometimes the real convenience is not just how quickly the home can sell, but how little the process has to interrupt the life you are already living.”

Speed

Depending on the company, housing market, and property, sellers may be able to move from offer to closing relatively quickly. However, it’s important to remember that not every situation is the same. While some closings can happen quickly, others can take up to 60 days. 

“Selling to an iBuyer can be a very simple, straightforward process – the seller requests an offer, the property is evaluated, and if the offer works for them, they can move through inspection, paperwork, and closing on a timeline of about 14 days,” says Fellow Homes, a cash-offer homebuyer in Los Angeles, CA. 

“The sellers who tend to be the best fit are those who value speed, certainty, and convenience, especially avoiding repairs and showings,” they explain. “We take a consultative approach because we don’t believe a quick cash sale is the right solution for everyone, and we genuinely enjoy helping sellers understand their options, the benefits and tradeoffs of each, and what they can realistically expect from the process. Ultimately, we’re focused on finding the path that delivers the best combination of price, certainty, and convenience for each seller.”

A more predictable sale

Traditional transactions can involve negotiations, financing contingencies, appraisal issues, and other variables. Selling directly to an iBuyer may remove some – but not necessarily all – of those uncertainties.

“With an iBuyer, sellers gain conveniences such as shorter timeframes, fewer negotiations, and less risk,” explains 401HomeBuyers. “Our team likes to meet with a homeowner at the property in order to identify any repairs the home might need as this helps inform our offer price. Then we walk the seller through the process and provide an all-cash offer. There are no fees associated with the offer and sellers are often surprised at how quick and transparent our team is.”

>>Read more: What Happens When Homes Don’t Sell?

Flexible closing

Many cash-offer homebuyers and iBuyers offer flexible closing options. Depending on your situation, being able to have more control over your closing date can give peace of mind to an often hectic and stressful time. Look into the iBuyer you’re working with to see what options they have available. 

Potential disadvantages of selling to an iBuyer

Your offer isn’t the same as your take-home amount

An initial offer from an iBuyer doesn’t necessarily indicate how much cash you’ll be walking away with. Final offers can vary post-walkthrough depending on how well the home matches the given description, whether significant repairs are needed, or serious issues like mold or pests are evident.

>>Read more: Is It Better to Renovate or Sell As-Is? 

You don’t test your home on the open market

A direct offer provides certainty, but the seller generally isn’t exposing the home to multiple potential buyers first, and when the final offer comes in, it might look like less than you would expect from a traditional listing.

“The process of selling to an iBuyer is usually very fast and straightforward, which is a great fit for homeowners who value certainty, convenience, and speed over getting the highest possible price,” explains BD Home Buyers, a cash-offer company in the greater Ohio area. “Think of it like selling your car to a dealership. It’s simple, hassle-free, and you can complete the sale quickly. However, just as with selling a car to a dealership, the offer is typically lower than what you might receive by selling on the open market.” 

Be sure to compare multiple offers, and consider the costs of repairs the house may need. While you might walk away with a lower offer, you might not have to pay for additional repairs that would be required before putting your house on the open market.

Not every home qualifies

Homes that are eligible to be purchased by iBuyer companies can depend on location, property type, price, age, condition, acreage, or company-specific criteria. While a home may not be a good fit for one company, another may still be able to make you an offer. 

Who should consider an iBuyer?

Using an iBuyer isn’t perfect for every sale, but some scenarios can benefit greatly. 

“After two decades of helping homeowners sell in all kinds of circumstances, one thing we’ve learned is that the house itself often isn’t the problem that needs to be solved,” explains Ohio Cash Buyers. “More often, the real challenge is the situation surrounding the property and everything the homeowner is trying to manage along with it, whether that is the loss of a loved one, medical issues, an estate, tenants, repairs, or a move. When considering an iBuyer or any direct buyer, sellers should look beyond the offer and ask, ‘Does this option actually solve my situation and give me some peace of mind, or does it just add more to what I’m already going through?’ The real measure of a good solution is whether it fits what the homeowner needs and the reason they reached out in the first place. Sometimes that solution is us, sometimes it isn’t, and that’s okay; what matters most is helping the homeowner find the option that makes the most sense for their situation.”

Examples of situations that might benefit using an iBuyer include:

• Job relocation: A seller relocating for a job may need to move to another state and be on a quick timeline to sell their home. 
• Avoiding showings: Open houses and showings can be inconvenient for sellers with busy lives, but an iBuyer removes the need to prepare a home for prospective buyers. 
• Unlocking equity fast: A quicker timeline and a quicker closing may allow you to access your equity sooner in order to make a down payment on a new home right away. 
• Inherited property: Inherited homes can be complicated between location, accruing bills, cleaning out belongings, and potential renovations. Some iBuyers can provide a quick out and help you through the whole process. 

How to choose an iBuyer

Considering which company you work with is just as important as the decision on whether or not to sell with an iBuyer. Compare multiple companies to assess qualifications, requirements, fees, offers, and specific policies before jumping in. 

Maple Home Buyers is a family-owned cash home buyer in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, that can close an escrow within 3-7 days, purchase homes in their as-is condition with no repairs needed, and provide packers and movers. Here’s what they have to say about choosing an iBuyer to work with: 

“Our team at Maple Home Buyers often speaks with homeowners who need to sell fast, sell a home in as-is condition, or are looking for cash home buyers, and we encourage them to compare more than just the headline offer. When choosing a company that buys houses for cash, sellers should confirm who the actual buyer is, whether the contract can be assigned, what fees or repair deductions may apply, and whether the buyer will provide proof of funds and a meaningful non refundable earnest money deposit through a licensed escrow or title company.”

Some questions to ask iBuyer companies:

1. Is this the final offer or a preliminary offer?
2. What fees will I pay?
3. Could the offer change after the home assessment?
4. How are repair costs determined?
5. What will my estimated net proceeds be?
6. Can I choose my closing date?
7. What happens if I decide not to sell?
8. How does this option compare with listing my home?

Bottom line

An iBuyer isn’t inherently better or worse than a traditional sale, it’s simply a different way to sell a home. The right choice depends on how much you value convenience, certainty, timing, and maximizing your potential proceeds.

Before deciding, assess your situation and compare the factors that matter most to you.

Selling a home has always been a numbers game; the more qualified buyers you reach, the faster and stronger your offers tend to be. Virtual tours change that equation in a meaningful way.  A buyer who contacts you after walking a virtual tour isn’t casually clicking around. They’ve already studied the layout, walked the rooms, and decided they want a closer look. That’s a different kind of buyer than one who just liked the photos.

Whether you’re listing a townhouse in Miami, FL or a home in Denver, CO, adding a virtual tour to your listing is one of the most effective ways to attract serious buyers, generate stronger showings, and get to the closing table faster. Here’s how it works and why it matters.

1. They bring in more qualified buyers from the start

The biggest thing a virtual tour does for sellers isn’t visibility, it’s filtration. When buyers can walk a home digitally before scheduling a showing, the ones who make it to your front door have already decided the space could work for them. That shift in showing quality is something real estate media professionals notice consistently.

Ramon Corporan of Aerial Shots Media in Central Florida puts it plainly from both sides of the transaction. “Because buyers can rule a home in or out from their couch, the showings that do get booked come from people who already know the layout fits their life. That means less schedule disruption from strangers walking through for no reason, and more weight behind every appointment that lands on the calendar.”

Andrew Watts, co-owner of Real Tampa Bay, echoes this. “Virtual 3D tours give qualified buyers realistic access to the home on their own time, whether they’re local, out of town, or just busy. Being able to virtually stand in each room and walk through every living space helps buyers understand the flow and feel of the property before they ever schedule a showing. This means in-person visits are more likely to be with serious buyers who want a closer look.”

Gleb Osipov, Owner and 360-VR Specialist at 3DTour.ae, adds that the reach extends beyond local buyers as well. “Virtual tours attract more qualified leads, including international and out-of-town buyers, and also help reduce unnecessary viewings while keeping prospective buyers engaged for longer.”

2. They help buyers make decisions faster

One of the less obvious advantages of a virtual tour is how much further along in the decision process it moves buyers before a showing ever happens. 

Daniel Molina, co-founder and COO of Immersive 360, describes this progression. “When buyers do come through the door, they’re usually more informed, more intentional, and further along in the decision-making process. For the seller, that can mean stronger engagement, better-qualified showings, and a smoother path from initial interest to an offer.”

Shari Carter, owner of Reel Media Utah, points to the compounding effect of pairing a tour with other marketing assets. “When combined with professional photography and floor plans, virtual tours create a more complete picture of the property and can help buyers determine earlier whether a home is the right fit. It brings more informed and interested buyers to the showing.”

That earlier decision-making matters because time on market is one of the biggest factors affecting sale price. The longer a home sits, the more likely sellers are to face price reductions or skeptical buyers wondering why it hasn’t sold. A tour that moves buyers to a confident showing faster helps protect against that erosion.

3. They work alongside your photos, not instead of them

A common misconception is that a virtual tour replaces great listing photography. It doesn’t, and understanding the distinction helps sellers get the most out of both.

Corporan with Aerial Shots Media draws the line clearly. “Photos are what stop the scroll and get a listing noticed. The 3D tour is what a serious buyer studies afterward, room by room, before deciding your home is worth a weekend visit. They do different jobs, and a listing is stronger when both are done well.”

4. They build trust with buyers before they arrive

In a market where AI-enhanced photos and selective angles are increasingly common, a well-produced virtual tour signals something different: transparency.

Jill Kyle, architectural and portrait photographer at Jill Kyle Photography, makes this point distinctly. “Virtual tours are one of the few marketing tools left that are 100% authentic; there’s little to no editing possible, so buyers see the space exactly as it is. In a world of AI-edited and strategically chosen photos, that honesty stands out and builds real trust with buyers before they ever walk through the door.” 

That trust has a practical payoff. A buyer who walks into a showing already confident in what they saw online is far more likely to move quickly than one who arrives uncertain about whether the listing matched reality.

>> Read: Virtual House Tour Tips for Winning Over Buyers Through the Screen

5. They signal serious, intentional marketing

For sellers, a virtual tour also sends a message about how your home is being represented. Watts points to this directly saying, “It’s a clear signal that the seller’s agent is intentional about marketing the home at a high level and reaching the widest pool of motivated buyers.”

That perception matters in competitive markets where buyers are evaluating multiple listings simultaneously. A listing with a well-produced tour stands out not just because of the tool itself, but because of what it communicates about the care and effort behind the presentation.

Ready to list?

A virtual tour isn’t just a nice feature to add to your listing, it’s a strategic marketing decision that can shorten your time on market, reduce low-intent showings, and put your home in front of more serious buyers from day one. If you’re thinking about selling, find a local Redfin agent to talk through how to market your home to the widest possible pool of motivated buyers.

Key Takeaways

• Nationwide, the best time to sell a house is in late April, when sellers are more likely to close quickly and receive higher offers.
• Optimal timing varies by city, though: In San Jose, the best time to sell is in mid-March; in Philadelphia, it’s in mid-May.
• Sellers should talk with an agent before listing to decide on a strategy; in the end, the best time to sell is when it’s the best time for you.

Timing is essential when it comes to selling a house. Everything from the season, to the month, to even the day can impact how quickly a home sells and for how much. 

It’s common knowledge that spring is peak selling season, when homebuyers emerge from hibernation ready to start their housing journey. But lately, sellers have faced an unusually difficult task, as record-high prices keep buyers on the sidelines and give those who are still active more leverage.

With very few buyers actively shopping right now, sellers need to be more intentional about when they list, how they price, and how they prepare their home to stand out. 

So, if you’re a homeowner looking for the perfect time to list your home, this article is for you. We’ll break down the data to uncover the objectively “best” time to sell a house, how seasonality plays a role, and how home sellers can navigate the market today.

From Redfin’s Chief Economist

“Late April is the sweet spot for savvy home sellers. Homebuyers are out in force, but the market isn’t yet flooded with listings, so homes are more likely to close faster and for more. But people also have different timelines and priorities—and because housing is so local, every city has its own dynamics at play. Home sellers should take their individual circumstances into account and work with a local agent to decide when their best time to sell is.” – Daryl Fairweather, Redfin Chief Economist

When is the best time to sell a house?

According to a Redfin and Home Economics report, the best time to sell a house is in late April. Homes listed during this window are 18% more likely to sell above list price, and tend to sell faster. 

For those who want a slightly wider window, late March through mid-May is generally the best time to list a home for sale.

“There are several factors that make mid-spring the best time to sell a home,” said Asad Khan, a senior economist at Redfin. “Warmer weather encourages buyers to start touring, and the timing aligns well for families looking to move and settle in before the new school year. Plus, blooming flowers and natural light boosts curb appeal and makes homes feel more inviting. Inventory is also beginning to rise, but hasn’t yet peaked—creating the perfect window for sellers.”

But ultimately, the decision comes down to individual needs. Homeowners often have different priorities and expectations—and sometimes, they just need to move.

>> Read: How to Sell Your House in 2026: A Comprehensive Guide

When is the best day to sell a house?

For sellers looking to further maximize their returns, a previous Redfin report found that Thursday is the best day to list. Homes listed on Thursday sell for ~$3,000 more and five days faster on average than those listed on the slowest day.

• The midweek bump: While Thursday is the best day, homes that hit the market between Wednesday and Friday tend to go pending faster and sell for more. Midweek is ideal because listings are fresh in buyers’ minds when they’re planning their weekend, which is when most are available to go on tours. 
• The weekend slump: Saturday through Tuesday offers less of an advantage, with Monday providing no benefit at all. Listing on the weekend or very early in the week means that newer listings might grab a buyer’s attention before they start planning weekend tours.

The best time to sell a house by city in 2026

While the best time to sell nationwide is in mid-April, timing can vary widely by location—often by weeks. For example, in San Jose, the best time to sell is mid-March, while in Philadelphia it’s closer to mid-May.

Housing is seasonal, local, and individual, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy that works everywhere for everyone. Here are the peak selling seasons in 2026 for major cities across the country.

How seasonality affects the housing market

Spring is the classic housing season, as buyers return from their winter slumber and sellers jump to take advantage. This is when new listings climb and competition follows suit. In general, housing activity tends to be higher when the weather is warmer and lower when the weather is colder. 

Here are the typical seasons the housing market goes through every year:

• Spring: The classic peak housing season for inventory and demand, with buyers and sellers both very active.
• Summer: Listings tend to peak and buyers begin gaining leverage, but vacations and hot weather keep some people on the bench.
• Fall: A transitional period when buyers are most likely to receive concessions.
• Winter: The slowest season, when sellers have the smallest chance of closing quickly and for above asking.

Seasonality also shifts by market, often aligning with swings in housing supply. The timing and volume of new listings help define when a market heats up and cools down. The climate plays a major role in shaping these patterns: Typically, the warmer a city’s climate, the less seasonal it is—i.e. the seasonal swing in listings is smaller. 

But large cities can buck the trend. “Highly populated areas with limited supply tend to be more seasonal,” continued Khan. “In places like San Francisco, where there are a lot of house hunters vying for limited inventory, timing is critical; sellers want to list when they’ll have the best chance of finding their next home. As a result, everyone converges during the same window. On the other hand, in places with more inventory, buyers can be more flexible, which also gives sellers more flexibility and dampens seasonal swings—regardless if winters are colder.”

How to attract better offers on a home

In a slower market, standing out matters more than ever. Even if you list your home on the objectively “best” day, you may still need to compete for buyers. However, thorough, thoughtful preparation can increase your chances of attracting competitive offers more quickly. 

Here are a few tips to attract the best offers:

• Hire a home inspector: It’s helpful to identify issues early so you can address them before listing and avoid surprises during escrow.
• Make strategic repairs: Fix visible issues and tackle the updates that matter most to buyers.
• Boost curb appeal: First impressions matter. While spring naturally does some heavy lifting, additional simple landscaping and exterior touch-ups can go a long way.
• Stage the home: Clean, declutter, and arrange spaces to help buyers envision themselves living there.
• Use high-quality photos and marketing: Professional photography, marketing, and strong listing descriptions can draw more attention to your home online.
• Price competitively: One of the biggest mistakes sellers make today is pricing too high. It’s not the pandemic anymore; a well-priced home can attract more interest and lead to multiple offers.
• Work with a great agent: Experienced real estate agents can help set a realistic price, get buyers in the door, present your home in its best light, lead negotiations, and net you a better deal.

>> Read: How to Sell Your House Fast and for More

Is now a good time to sell?

Homeowners looking to sell today should be ready to price correctly and remain open to negotiation. The U.S. housing market strongly favors buyers, as economic uncertainty and near-record housing costs keep many people on the sidelines, making it difficult to attract offers and sell for more. 

Even if it’s the peak selling season where you live, it’s essential to talk with a local real estate agent first. They can provide insight into your specific neighborhood, evaluate current market conditions, and help you determine the right timing before deciding to list. Looking at larger economic conditions, like mortgage rates and inflation, is also always a good idea.

Plus, an agent can also help you determine the right marketing strategy for your home—whether that’s a phased approach to test pricing with a smaller audience or listing on the MLS right away. Sellers now have more flexibility with how they can go to market.

>> Read: Should I Sell My House Now?

Final thoughts: The best time to sell a home is in late April, but choose a time that works best for you

Selling a home today can be challenging. The typical home takes more than two months to go under contract—often even longer in many Sun Belt cities—leading many homeowners to stay put or remodel instead of hit the market.

But it’s still possible to land a great offer and close quickly. Sellers can improve their odds by making simple fixes, investing in key updates, pricing competitively, and working with a great local agent.

For many homeowners, late April is the best time to sell—when demand is strong, inventory is building, and competition hasn’t yet peaked. Ultimately, though, the best time to sell is when it works best for you.

Please see the original report for a full methodology.

Luxury homes aren’t just the pinnacle of Australia’s property market—they embody dreams, ignite aspirations, and offer the promise of an extraordinary lifestyle.

While a high-end home might seem like it would sell itself, in reality many buyers at this price point have extremely high expectations.

According to experts, these homes are challenging to sell due to the smaller buyer pool and heightened expectations around quality and finishes, plus potential renovation costs. Even the super rich don’t like to experience buyer’s remorse, it seems.

An experienced team will convey the intangible qualities that luxury buyers are looking for by creating bespoke marketing plans from start to finish, avoiding one-size-fits-all strategies.

Because, at the end of the day, if a home doesn’t meet buyers’ standards they may expect a bargain price, meaning you could lose out as a seller.

Buyers can be even more demanding in the luxury-home market, so it pays to enlist the best team.

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To celebrate the launch of realestate.com.au’s Luxe setting, we’ve taken a look at how to get the best price for your high-end property, according to the experts:

1. Find the feeling

Sellers need to identify the key highlights of the home and work them into an overall theme that will appeal to buyers.

This could be the trophy ocean home, grand family estate or contemporary creative space.

Identifying an overarching narrative will help to craft a strong, cohesive marketing strategy from the start.

2. Prepare your property

First impressions count, so make sure your luxury listing is in top condition before potential buyers start viewing.

“Everything comes down to presentation regardless of whether the property’s market is above or below the line,” explains Rob Curtain, managing director at Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty.

“You’ll want everything in order before the photographer shows up and starts blasting away.

“Clean the home, clean the gutters and look at ways you can add value. This may mean doing things or fixing things three months before the home hits the market, but it’s worth it.”

Curtain adds that all personal items like photographs, should be packed away.

“There is a huge psychological element to it. Buyers want to show up and see themselves in the home rather than feeling like they are trespassing.

“We say in a home you want signs of life but not signs of living,” Curtain says.

Finally, consider investing in staging. Bringing in professionals can help remove the seller’s emotions and ensure the home is on trend.

3. Be seen

Georgi Bates, director of residential sales at Cunninghams Northern Beaches Real Estate, stresses that having giving a listing maximum exposure is “absolutely essential.”

She adds, “You get one opportunity, and you don’t want to leave any stones unturned, but you will get the best exposure by having your listings on premier platforms.”

While luxury sales were once marketed through glossy print media, today’s tech-savvy world sees even luxury buyers discovering properties online.

In Australia, realestate.com.au is the top-selling platform, attracting more than 181,000 high-net-worth visitors and recording 814,000 searches for properties over $5m monthly*.

Sellers also have more exclusive options. Realestate.com.au has launched Luxe, a high-performance digital marketing solution for top properties on realestate.com.au. If your property deserves the extra attention with Luxe, you’ll get the ultimate exposure and new features that ensure your property gets the best possible results.

4. Master the visuals

While everyone appreciates real estate photography, the importance of top-notch visuals is often overlooked, especially for high-end homes.

“Pictures are absolutely priceless because they show you so much,” Bates shares.

Furthermore, she adds that video walkthroughs offer an extra immersive way to showcase a property.

“Basically, videos are like a thousand pictures. People can experience the space and know how the rooms connect to one another.”

When planning visuals, cover all aspects covered in the listing, including indoor and outdoor highlights.

Go beyond standard photo shoots – think aerial shots to showcase gardens and views and photos taken at dusk to illuminate nighttime charm in entertainment areas or pool settings.

Luxe gives sellers the ultimate exposure on realestate.com.au

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5. Enlist the help of the latest data

The best agents know that knowledge is vital when marketing to affluent buyers, and Curtain says understanding buyers and market trends is essential.

“We’ve seen a really dynamic market in recent years with the pandemic. Things can change so fast, so the more data an agent has, the more quickly they can respond.

“With the data we have now, we can do some amazing things.

“We can drill down to know the areas of the country that our buyers are looking in. “It helps our agents understand which pond the largest fish are going to be swimming versus just throwing it out there into the ether.”

Agents will usually rely on their own resources, but data gathering from other sources will help them stay ahead of the market.

Property listings on Luxe generate real-time audience data, including how long viewers engage with the listing and the size of the potential buyer pool.

6. Compel buyers by creating the best listing possible

Enticing and detailed descriptions are vital in the luxury market. Highlight architectural design, premium materials, and exclusive amenities with language that inspires potential buyers.

Seasoned agents know the benefits of an engaging listing, but it can be challenging if not done right.

On Luxe, sellers can utilise a specialist to help create the perfect listing description, capturing the right character while ensuring optimisation for maximum visibility online.

A compelling listing helps buyers envision themselves living in the space.

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7. Perfect the pricing

Premium property buyers may have deep pockets but are often very discerning regarding quality and value, so competitive pricing is key.

“Pricing in a seller’s market is easy,” explains Curtain.

“But agents who don’t know what they’re doing or who don’t price properties effectively will find that they’re not selling properties in a tougher market.

“It also cuts both ways. Buyers are often now as equally informed as they can see the historic and comparable sales data.

“So agents need to get the price right, or they will find the property just won’t move.”

Luxe clients have access to current data on market trends and valuations, as well as the price ranges their interested buyers are looking in enabling agents to price properties confidently.

8. Lift up your listing

Once your listing is live, it’s important not to set and forget. But keeping your listing front and centre can be easy for Luxe clients.

Once live, the marketing engine takes over generating targeted ads, social media promotions, and email campaigns that will exponentially improve visibility.

Plus, sellers can track performance through realestate.com.au analytics and adjust if there’s a change in strategy.

To increase the visibility of your luxury properties, go to where the best properties belong, Luxe.

*Nielsen Consumer and Media View, 2023 Survey 07 National Online database. Time period Sep 22 – Aug 23, Fused Nielsen Digital Content Planning (Text): July 2023, realestate.com.au vs nearest competitor. Base: Australian population 14+. High-net-worth is defined as household income over $200k AND investments (other than primary residence and superannuation) over $1 million. High-income household is defined as a household income over $200k

Preparing to sell your home is a stressful and complicated process. From making the decision to sell to actually listing that property for sale can take weeks, months or even years, and then there’s the sales process itself to get through before you’ll see that SOLD sticker across the sales board.

We’ve tried to take some of the pain away with this checklist of what you need to think about when preparing to sell your property.

1. Make the decision to sell

Anything can prompt a sale – from needing a change of scenery to upsizing, downsizing, financial worries, or changing your investment strategy. While some months are more popular for sales than others, there is no one size fits all “right” time to sell a property.

Consider what is happening in the broader market and what is best for your particular situation. For example, if you’re an owner occupier you need to decide if you are better off buying a new home before or after you sell your current home.

2. Prepare your property

Have a big tidy up and complete any outstanding maintenance and repairs. Make sure your property is looking its best inside and out. Maybe you just need to clean and declutter. Make sure to consult a property expert before making any major changes to ensure they will pay off in any sale and that you’re not overcapitalising.

Read more: 10 common home presentation mistakes

3. Choose an agent

Your agent will be in charge of marketing, advertising and showing the property and completing the legal requirements of selling your property, so choose carefully.

Prospective agents will usually appraise your property and provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA). Interview several agents who have experience in your local area before making a decision, and don’t be swayed by personal relationships – selling your house is strictly business.

Once all the details have been finalised you’ll sign a legally binding contract with your agent that will outline any commissions, the estimated sale price, duration of the agreement, advertising costs, the process in case the property is passed in at auction and much more. You may wish to seek independent legal advice to ensure you understand the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Read more: Find an agent

Read more: 6 tips to help you find the right agent

4. How to sell

You need to decide what sales process – auction or private treaty – is going to be best for your property. Your agent can advise you on the current market and area trends.

You and your agent will need to work out a plan for listing and selling your property. For instance, do you want to have week and weekend open homes or by appointment only? Will you go to auction, issue a price range guide, or ask for offers?

Read more: Home seller’s guide: how to emotionally detach before you sell

5. Determine your selling price

You may have your property valued by an expert, who will assess its location, size, age and any extra features it has, and your agent can guide you on similar sales in the area and market conditions.

Read more: Find out where your property sits in the market

6. Prepare the contract of sale

Your lawyer or conveyancer will need to prepare a contract of sale for the property. This will include all of the details prospective purchasers will need including details of the owners, title, settlement dates, all conditions of the sale and what is included in it (for example, carpet, furnishings), as well as zoning certificate and sewer diagrams.

7. Marketing your property

Marketing your property includes online and offline promotion and advertising. This involves photographing your property, drawing up floor plans and agreeing your marketing schedule. You can choose from a range of online ads to help drive more enquiries and spread the word. Offline you might want print ads, a sales board outside the property, flyers, and an ad in the real estate window.

Read more: 10 ways to prepare your house for spring sale

8. Going on the market

Prospective buyers will contact your agent and arrange times to view your property, or attend the open homes at the times you have agreed with your agent. An auction campaign is typically four weeks, while sales campaigns can be longer.

9. Negotiation or auction

Your agent will mediate between you and any buyer to reach a mutually acceptable price. Once you have accepted an offer or sold at auction, your conveyancer will begin preparing the final contract documents and the buyer will pay a deposit.

10. Under contract

Before settlement, both seller’s and buyer’s lawyers and banks will work out the details of the sale to ensure both parties meet all legal and financial requirements.

11. Settlement day

All going to plan, on settlement day you’ll relinquish the keys and legal rights to your property in exchange for the balance of payment from the buyer or their bank. You will have then sold your home.

Read more: Should I buy before I sell?

This article was originally published on
23 Sep 2014 at 10:23am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.