Neil King

Neil King

10th July 2024 / 6 min read

Different ways to sell your property- exploring your options.

Hand shake

Selling a property involves navigating various strategies tailored to your goals and circumstances. Whether you're aiming for a quick sale, maximizing profit, or maintaining control over the process, understanding the different methods can significantly impact your outcome.While your agent will provide guidance tailored to your situation, understanding the options available empowers you to make an informed decision.

The three most common ways of selling your property are as follows:

  • Bullet Point

    Auction

  • Bullet Point

    Private sale

  • Bullet Point

    Expressions of interest (EOI)

couple on ipad

Auction

An auction is a public sale where buyers bid competitively on your property, with the highest bid securing the sale if it meets or exceeds your reserve price.

The scheduled nature of auctions creates a sense of urgency, compelling all interested buyers to participate at the same time. This competitive environment often drives up the final sale price, making auctions an effective strategy for maximizing property value.

Advantages

  • Bullet Point

    Competitive Bidding: Encourages higher prices through bidding competition.

  • Bullet Point

    Urgency and Certainty: A set auction date creates urgency and commitment.

  • Bullet Point

    No Cooling-Off Period: Sale is immediate upon hammer fall, with contracts signed and deposit paid.

Disadvantages

  • Bullet Point

    Limited Appeal: Some buyers may be deterred by the auction process.

  • Bullet Point

    Price Uncertainty: The final price may not meet seller expectations.

  • Bullet Point

    Higher Costs: Intensive marketing campaigns are typically more expensive.

Private Sale

A private treaty sale involves listing your property with a set asking price. Interested buyers submit offers through your agent, who negotiates directly with them on your behalf.

This method is widely popular across Australia, offering sellers more control over the process. In private sales, it's common for buyers to offer less than the asking price, so sellers should be prepared for negotiation. The aim is to reach a mutually acceptable final price that aligns with the seller's expectations.

Couple with keys

Advantages

  • Bullet Point

    Control and Flexibility: Sellers can carefully consider offers and negotiate terms

  • Bullet Point

    Targeted Marketing: Focuses on buyers within a specific price range.

  • Bullet Point

    Lower Costs: Marketing expenses can be minimized compared to other methods.

Disadvantages:

  • Bullet Point

    Protracted Sale: Lack of urgency can lead to longer selling periods.

  • Bullet Point

    Pricing Challenges: Setting the right asking price amidst market fluctuations.

  • Bullet Point

    Buyer Negotiation: Buyers often negotiate down from the asking price.

Happy couple

Expression of Interest (EOI)

EOI involves inviting buyers to submit confidential offers by a specified date. After this date, the seller and their agent review the offers and decide to accept, reject, or negotiate to achieve a mutually satisfactory outcome.

Traditionally, EOI is favoured for high-end or exclusive properties, providing a discreet and controlled selling process. This method allows sellers to gauge genuine buyer interest and secure competitive offers without the public pressure of an open auction.

Advantages

  • Bullet Point

    Confidential Bidding: Ensures offers are based on perceived value rather than others’ bids.

  • Bullet Point

    Controlled Process: Sellers can accept, reject, or negotiate offers as they see fit.

  • Bullet Point

    Attracts Serious Buyers: Ideal for properties needing discretion and exclusivity.

Disadvantages

  • Bullet Point

    Cooling-Off Period: Buyers have time to withdraw their offer post-acceptance.

  • Bullet Point

    Potential Underbidding: Lack of transparency in bids may result in lower offers.

  • Bullet Point

    Limited Market Exposure: Shorter campaign periods may reduce buyer awareness.

Choosing what works best for you.

The decision on how to sell your property depends on your priorities: speed, price, and control. Auctions offer rapid sales with competitive bidding but come with higher costs and less privacy. Private sales provide control over negotiations but may lack the urgency of auctions. EOIs blend aspects of both, ideal for high-end properties seeking discreet, competitive offers.

Understanding these methods empowers sellers to make informed decisions aligned with their goals and market conditions.

Get an appraisal