8 Steps to Selling Your Home Privately in South Australia
8 Steps to Sell Your Property Privately in South Australia (Without an Agent)
Last updated: January 2026
See Complete South Australia Private Sale Guide
Selling your property without a real estate agent in South Australia is completely legal and increasingly popular. Many SA homeowners choose to sell privately to stay in control of the sale and avoid paying $15,000–$40,000+ in agent commission.
This guide explains the 8 clear steps to selling your property privately in South Australia, covering the legal requirements, pricing, marketing, negotiations, and settlement — in plain English.
Step 1: Understand the Legal Requirements in South Australia
Before you advertise your property, you need to understand the basic legal framework in SA.
When selling privately in South Australia:
You must use a compliant Contract of Sale
Required vendor disclosures must be provided to the buyer
Deposits must be handled correctly (usually via a trust account)
Settlement must be completed by a conveyancer or solicitor
A private sale follows the same legal process as an agent sale — the only difference is who handles the marketing and buyer enquiries.
Step 2: Engage a Conveyancer or Solicitor Early
While not technically mandatory, engaging a South Australian conveyancer or solicitor is standard practice and strongly recommended.
They will:
Prepare the Contract of Sale
Ensure all vendor disclosures are accurate and complete
Advise on cooling-off rights and conditions
Hold the buyer’s deposit in a trust account
Manage settlement and transfer of ownership
This step protects you legally and ensures the sale is compliant.
Step 3: Work Out What Your Property Is Worth
Pricing your property correctly is critical.
Smart SA sellers use:
Recent sold prices in their suburb (last 3–6 months)
Comparable properties with similar land size and features
Independent data — not just one agent’s opinion
You can also:
Obtain multiple agent appraisals as reference points
Order a professional valuation
Use paid property data reports for accuracy
Overpricing is the most common reason private sales fail.
See how to price property, click here
Step 4: Choose the Right Pricing Strategy
How you present your price affects enquiry levels.
Effective pricing strategies in South Australia include:
Fixed Price
$720,000
Clear and simple, works well for decisive buyers.
Price Range
$700,000 – $750,000
Attracts a wider buyer pool and encourages competition.
Avoid “Contact Agent”
Buyers dislike it.
It removes your listing from price filters and reduces enquiries.
Clear pricing builds trust.
Step 5: Prepare Your Property for Sale
Presentation has a major impact on buyer interest and final price.
Before listing:
Declutter and deep clean
Fix minor maintenance issues
Consider professional photography
Present the home as move-in ready
Well-presented homes attract more inspections and stronger offers.
Step 6: List Your Property Where Buyers Actually Look
To sell privately in SA, your property must be visible where buyers search.
This means listing on:
realestate.com.au
Domain
Private sellers can access these portals through private listing platforms, allowing your property to appear alongside agent-listed homes with the same exposure.
To buyers, your listing looks exactly the same. see How on how to upload to realestate.com.au
Step 7: Manage Enquiries, Inspections, and Offers
When selling privately:
Buyers contact you directly
You arrange and conduct inspections
You answer questions honestly and promptly
Offers are usually made in writing
Because you are not paying commission:
You have more flexibility in negotiations
You are not pressured into quick or discounted sales
You can focus on your net outcome
Your conveyancer or solicitor can review offers before contracts are signed.
Step 8: Sign the Contract and Complete Settlement
Once terms are agreed:
The Contract of Sale is signed
The deposit is paid into a trust account
Cooling-off rights apply (where applicable)
Settlement usually occurs 30–60 days later
Your conveyancer or solicitor manages:
Transfer of title
Adjustments for council rates and outgoings
Final funds
Registration with the SA Lands Titles Office
On settlement day, funds clear, keys are handed over, and the sale is complete.
Common Mistakes Private Sellers Make in South Australia
Overpricing the property
Incomplete or incorrect vendor disclosures
Poor presentation or photography
Mishandling deposit arrangements
Ignoring buyer feedback
These mistakes are avoidable with the right preparation and professional support.
Final Checklist for Selling Privately in SA
✅ Conveyancer or solicitor engaged
✅ Contract of Sale prepared
✅ Vendor disclosures completed
✅ Pricing strategy set
✅ Listing live on major portals
✅ Inspection and enquiry process organised
If these are in place, selling privately works.
Bottom Line
Selling property privately in South Australia is:
Legal
Common
Safe when handled professionally
Far more cost-effective than using an agent
With correct pricing, proper legal support, and strong online exposure, SA homeowners can sell confidently — without paying tens of thousands in commission.
Frequently Asked Questions: Selling Property Privately in South Australia (FSBO)
Is FSBO legal in South Australia?
Yes. Selling property privately (For Sale By Owner) is completely legal in South Australia.
There is no legal requirement to use a real estate agent to sell residential property in SA. Homeowners are free to sell their own property, provided they comply with South Australian property and consumer laws.
Private sellers must still:
Use a compliant Contract of Sale
Provide all required vendor disclosures
Ensure the deposit is handled correctly
Complete settlement through a conveyancer or solicitor
A private sale in SA follows the same legal process as an agent-led sale — just without paying commission.
Do I need a conveyancer or solicitor to sell privately in SA?
While not strictly mandatory by law, using a conveyancer or solicitor is standard practice and strongly recommended for all South Australian property sales.
A SA conveyancer or solicitor will:
Prepare the Contract of Sale
Arrange and attach mandatory vendor disclosures
Advise on cooling-off periods and conditions
Hold the buyer’s deposit in a trust account
Manage settlement and transfer of ownership
Selling without professional legal assistance is not recommended and exposes sellers to avoidable legal risk.
What disclosures are required when selling privately in South Australia?
South Australia has strict vendor disclosure requirements, even for private sales.
Sellers must provide buyers with a Vendor’s Statement (often included with the contract), which may include:
Title details
Easements, encumbrances, and restrictions
Zoning and planning information
Council rates and other outgoings
Any material facts that could affect the buyer’s decision
These disclosures must be accurate and complete.
Failure to disclose required information can allow buyers to terminate the contract or seek compensation.
Can I hold the deposit myself in a private sale?
In most cases, no.
In South Australia, sale deposits are usually held in a trust account managed by:
A conveyancer
A solicitor
A real estate agent
Private sellers generally do not hold deposits personally, even if both parties agree. Holding the deposit in trust protects both the buyer and seller and ensures compliance with SA property law.
Does selling privately actually work in South Australia?
Yes. Selling privately works very well in South Australia, particularly in:
Adelaide metropolitan suburbs
High-demand family home markets
Investment-grade properties
Private sellers benefit from:
Strong buyer demand through online portals
Direct communication with buyers
Transparent pricing
No pressure to discount for commission
Many South Australian homeowners successfully sell privately each year while saving $15,000–$40,000+ in agent commission and still achieving market value.
Will buyers take a private sale seriously?
Yes. Most buyers focus on:
Price
Location
Property condition
They generally 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.
Many buyers prefer dealing directly with owners due to clearer communication and faster responses.
Is selling privately more risky than using an agent?
No. Selling privately is not riskier when done correctly.
The legal protections, disclosure requirements, cooling-off periods, and settlement process are the same. Risk is managed by:
Using a qualified conveyancer or solicitor
Providing accurate disclosures
Following the correct settlement process
Real estate agents do not provide legal protection — legal professionals do.
How long does it take to sell privately in South Australia?
Timeframes for private sales are similar to agent sales and depend on:
Pricing
Market conditions
Property presentation
Buyer demand
Private sellers often benefit from greater flexibility and are not pressured into accepting early or lower offers to secure a commission-based sale.
Where should I list my property when selling privately in SA?
You should list your property where buyers are already searching.
In South Australia, 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 commission.
Can I negotiate directly with buyers in a private sale?
Yes. Direct negotiation is one of the main advantages of selling privately.
It allows:
Faster communication
Clearer expectations
Greater flexibility on price and terms
Your conveyancer or solicitor can review any agreed terms before contracts are finalised.
What happens if a buyer pulls out or a dispute arises?
If a dispute arises, the process is the same as any other property sale in South Australia.
Because contracts, disclosures, deposits, and settlement are handled by licensed professionals, both parties are protected under SA property law. This is why engaging a conveyancer or solicitor early is essential.
Final Word on FSBO in South Australia
Selling property privately in South Australia is:
Legal
Common
Safe when handled professionally
Far more cost-effective than using an agent
With proper legal support, correct pricing, and strong online exposure, South Australian homeowners can confidently sell their property and keep more of their sale price.
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Last updated: January 2026
