8 Steps to Sell Your Home Privately in Queensland

8 Steps to sell your house privately in queensland (QLD)
8 Steps to sell your house privately in queensland (QLD)
8 Steps to sell your house privately in queensland (QLD)

How to Sell Property in Queensland Without an Agent (FSBO): Complete 2026 Guide

See Complete ACT Private Sale Guide

Selling property in Queensland without a real estate agent is completely legal — and for many homeowners, it’s the smartest financial decision they make.

By selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO), Queensland sellers regularly save $15,000–$40,000+ in agent commission, while still marketing their property on the same major platforms buyers already use.

This guide explains exactly how to sell your property privately in QLD, step by step — including legal requirements, pricing strategies, where to list, and how AirLister fits into the process.

Is It Legal to Sell Property Without an Agent in Queensland?

Yes. Selling your home without a real estate agent is 100% legal in Queensland.

There is:

  • ❌ No requirement to use an agent

  • ❌ No law forcing you to pay commission

  • ✅ A requirement to follow QLD property laws

Private sellers must still:

  • Provide correct disclosures

  • Use a compliant contract

  • Hold deposits in trust

  • Complete settlement through legal professionals

FSBO sales follow the same legal process as agent-assisted sales — just without the commission.

What Does “For Sale By Owner” Mean in QLD?

For Sale By Owner means:

  • You manage the sale yourself

  • Buyers deal directly with you

  • You control pricing, inspections, and negotiations

It does not mean:

  • You handle legal documents yourself

  • You hold buyer deposits

  • You bypass solicitors or conveyancers

In Queensland, legal professionals still handle contracts, deposits, and settlement — exactly as they do in agent-led sales.

Step-by-Step: How to Sell Property Privately in Queensland

Step 1: Understand the Legal Requirements in QLD

Before marketing your property, you need to understand the key legal rules:

  • A Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2) must be provided before the buyer signs

  • Buyers receive a 5 business day cooling-off period

  • Deposits must be held in a statutory trust account

  • Settlement is handled by a solicitor or conveyancer

You do not prepare contracts or hold deposits yourself.

Step 2: Work Out What Your Property Is Worth

Pricing is the most important decision you’ll make. - See how to price your property article here

Smart QLD sellers use:

  • Recent sold prices (last 3–6 months)

  • Comparable properties in the same suburb

  • Independent data, not just agent opinions

You can also:

  • Get agent appraisals as a reference

  • Order a professional valuation

  • Purchase a CoreLogic Property Report for bank-grade data

If you’re planning to refinance or buy again, your mortgage broker can often provide a free appraisal, which helps with borrowing capacity and planning your next move.

Step 3: Choose the Right Pricing Strategy (Critical)

How you present your price directly affects enquiry levels.

Best Pricing Methods for QLD FSBO Sellers

Offers Over

Offers Over $800,000

Works well when demand is strong and stock is tight.
Captures buyers searching below the threshold and creates competition.

Price Range

Offers Between $800,000 – $850,000

Attracts a wider buyer pool and sets realistic expectations.
Often produces stronger negotiations than fixed pricing.

Avoid “Contact Agent”

Buyers hate it.
It removes your listing from price filters and creates friction.
It works for agents — not private sellers.

Clear pricing builds trust and increases enquiries.

Step 4: List Your Property Where Buyers Actually Look

Buyers don’t search private-sale websites — they search:

  • realestate.com.au

  • Domain

AirLister allows Queensland homeowners to:

  • List on major portals without an agent

  • Upload photos, descriptions, and pricing

  • Edit the listing anytime

  • Receive enquiries directly

Your listing appears the same as an agent listing — because it is.

Step 5: Manage Enquiries and Inspections

When selling FSBO:

  • Buyers contact you directly

  • You arrange inspections at suitable times

  • You answer questions honestly

Many buyers prefer dealing directly with owners:

  • No sales pressure

  • Faster responses

  • Straight answers

This often improves trust and negotiation outcomes.

Step 6: Receive and Negotiate Offers

In Queensland:

  • Offers are typically submitted in writing

  • Buyers may submit signed contracts or written offers

  • You can accept, reject, or counter-offer

Because you’re not paying commission:

  • You have more flexibility

  • You can negotiate confidently

Your solicitor or conveyancer reviews the contract before anything is final.

Step 7: Contract, Deposit & Cooling-Off

Once an offer is accepted:

  • Buyer receives the Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement

  • Deposit is paid into a trust account

  • Cooling-off period applies (5 business days)

You never hold the deposit yourself.

Step 8: Settlement and Key Handover

Settlement is handled entirely by legal professionals.

They manage:

  • Transfer of title

  • Rates and water adjustments

  • Final funds

  • Registration with the QLD Titles Registry

On settlement day:

  • Funds clear

  • Keys are handed over

  • Sale is complete

Common Mistakes FSBO Sellers Make in Queensland

  • Overpricing the property

  • Using “Contact Agent” pricing

  • Failing to prepare Form 2 correctly

  • Holding deposits personally

  • Ignoring buyer feedback

These mistakes are avoidable with the right process.

How AirLister Fits Into the FSBO Process

AirLister does not replace solicitors or conveyancers.

AirLister:

  • Handles marketing and portal listings

  • Sends enquiries directly to you

  • Keeps you in control

Legal professionals still handle:

  • Contracts

  • Deposits

  • Settlement

  • Compliance

This is why FSBO works safely in Queensland.

Frequently Asked Questions: Selling Property Privately in QLD

  1. Is FSBO legal in Queensland?

Yes. Selling your property privately (For Sale By Owner) is completely legal in Queensland.
There is no legal requirement to use a real estate agent when selling a property. As long as you comply with Queensland property laws — including using a compliant contract of sale and proper trust handling of deposits — you are entitled to sell your home yourself.

Thousands of Queensland homeowners sell privately every year.

  1. Do I need a solicitor or conveyancer to sell privately?

It is not legally mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

A Queensland solicitor or conveyancer will:

  • Prepare or review the Contract of Sale

  • Ensure disclosure requirements are met

  • Handle the deposit correctly

  • Manage settlement and title transfer

The legal process for a private sale is the same as an agent sale — the only difference is who handles the marketing and buyer enquiries.

  1. Can I hold the deposit myself in a private sale?

No. In Queensland, sale deposits must be held in a statutory trust account.

This is usually done by:

  • Your solicitor or conveyancer, or

  • The buyer’s solicitor or conveyancer

Private sellers cannot hold deposits personally, even if both parties agree. This rule protects both buyer and seller and applies to all property sales in QLD.

  1. Does selling privately actually work in Queensland?

Yes. Selling privately works very well in Queensland, particularly in standard residential markets.

Private sellers benefit from:

  • Strong online buyer demand

  • Transparent pricing

  • Direct communication with buyers

  • No pressure to discount for a quick commission

Many Queensland sellers report saving $20,000–$40,000+ in commission by selling privately while achieving market value.

  1. Where should I list my property when selling privately?

You should list your property where buyers are already searching.

In Queensland, this means:

  • realestate.com.au

  • Domain

These are the same platforms used by real estate agents.
Private sellers can access them through private listing platforms, giving their property equal visibility without paying agent commission.

  1. Will buyers take a private sale seriously?

Yes. Most buyers care about:

  • Price

  • Location

  • Property condition

They do not care whether a property is listed by an agent or the owner.
As long as the listing is professional and the legal process is handled correctly, private sales are treated the same as agent-listed properties.

  1. Is selling privately more risky than using an agent?

No. A private sale is not riskier when done correctly.

The legal protections, contracts, cooling-off periods, and settlement process are exactly the same.
Using a solicitor or conveyancer ensures compliance and removes risk, regardless of whether an agent is involved.

Final Checklist for Selling Property in QLD Without an Agent

✅ Pricing strategy set
✅ Legal professional engaged
✅ Form 2 Seller Disclosure ready
✅ Listing live on major portals
✅ Clear inspection process

If these are in place, FSBO works.

Bottom Line

Selling property without an agent in Queensland is:

  • Legal

  • Proven

  • Far more cost-effective

With the right pricing, proper legal support, and strong exposure, homeowners can sell confidently — without paying tens of thousands in commission.

That’s exactly what AirLister is built for.

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Last updated: January 2026