Selling your house without a real estate agent in Queensland is completely legal and increasingly common. Many QLD homeowners now choose to sell privately to save tens of thousands of dollars in commission, while still using qualified legal professionals to handle contracts, deposits, and settlement.

This guide explains exactly how to sell your property privately in Queensland, step by step, including legal requirements, costs, contracts, deposits, and common mistakes to avoid.

Is It Legal to Sell a House Without an Agent in Queensland?

Yes. Selling a residential property without a real estate agent is 100% legal in Queensland.

There is no law requiring you to use an agent. As the owner, you are allowed to:

• Advertise your property

• Negotiate directly with buyers

• Accept offers

• Sell your home privately

What is required is that you follow Queensland property laws, particularly around disclosure, contracts, deposits, and settlement. These legal steps are handled by a licensed solicitor or conveyancer, not by you.

Steps To Sell Property Privately in Queensland

Step 1: Prepare Propety & Understand Legal Requirements in QLD

Before listing your property, make sure it is well presented and that you understand the key legal requirements in Queensland. This includes completing minor repairs, decluttering, cleaning, and investing in professional photos and video to showcase your home properly — the same costs you would normally cover when selling through an agent, just without the commission.

In Queensland, private sellers must (see Step 7):

• Provide a Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement before the buyer signs - AirLister can arrange

• Use a compliant Contract of Sale

• Ensure deposits are held in a statutory trust account - usually your conveyancer

Step 2: Work Out What Your Property Is Worth

Pricing your property correctly is the single most important decision when selling without an agent.

Price it too high and buyers won’t enquire.
Price it too low and you leave money on the table.

The goal is to price your property in line with the market, not based on emotion or what an agent promises.

You should base your price on:

• Recent sold prices (not asking prices)

• Comparable properties in your suburb

• Current market conditions

• Independent data sources

Step 3: Choose the Right Pricing Strategy

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. Does not put ceiling on property.

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. It makes the buying process even move difficult.Clear pricing builds trust and increases enquiries.

You know you property, neighbourhood and market better than anyone - if you price it in line with comparable sales you will win when it comes to selling without an agent.

Step 4: List Your Property Where Buyers Actually Look

Buyers Search the major property Portals —Buyers don’t search private-sale websites or agent databases. In Queensland, that means:

• realestate.com.au

• Domain

In most cases, this is where you found your current home — not from an agent email or phone call.

Agent “Databases” vs Reality

An agent’s so-called “buyer database” is usually just a list of past enquiries and saved searches. It’s often used as a marketing line to suggest they have “buyers waiting”.

In reality, those buyers aren’t sitting in an agent’s inbox — they’re waiting on realestate.com.au. That’s where serious buyers watch new listings appear, and it’s where you’ll meet them at your first Saturday inspection.

AirLister lets Queensland homeowners:

• List on realestate.com.au and Domain without an agent

• Upload and edit photos, descriptions, and pricing

• Receive enquiries directly from buyers

Step 5: Manage Enquiries and Inspections

When selling your property privately in Queensland, enquiries come directly to you, not through an agent.

This means you:

• Respond to buyers quickly

• Arrange inspections at times that suit you

• Answer questions accurately and honestly

Many buyers prefer dealing directly with owners because:

• There’s no sales pressure

• Communication is faster

• Information is clearer and more transparent

This direct approach often builds trust earlier in the process and leads to smoother negotiations and stronger offers.

Step 7: Contract, Deposit & Cooling-Off

Once an offer is accepted, the sale moves into the formal legal stage. Note best to touch base with a conveyancer early to ensure no delay in contract prep.

• Your solicitor or conveyancer prepares and issues the Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement - this can be arranged through AirLister to avoid delay

• you conveyancer send the contract to you, the buyer, and the buyer’s conveyancer, usually via DocuSign

• The agreed deposit is paid into you conveyancers trust account and both parties issues a receipt

• A 5 business day cooling-off period applies, allowing the buyer to complete finance and due diligence

At this point, your conveyancer takes over the legal process. You take a back seat while they manage compliance, deposits, and settlement steps on your behalf — just as they would in an agent-assisted sale.

Step 8: Attend the Building and Pest Inspection

IOnce a contract is in place, buyers will usually arrange a building and pest inspection as part of their conditions.

As the seller, this typically requires around one hour of your time to provide access to the property and answer basic questions.

Occasionally, the inspection may identify items that require repair or lead to a request for a price adjustment. This is a normal part of the process and no different to a sale handled by a real estate agent.

You are not expected to diagnose issues on the spot. The inspector reports directly to the buyer, and most inspections are straightforward and simply form part of finalising the sale.

Step 7: Contract, Deposit & Cooling-Off

Once an offer is accepted, the sale moves into the formal legal stage. Note best to touch base with a conveyancer early to ensure no delay in contract prep.

• Your solicitor or conveyancer prepares and issues the Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement - this can be arranged through AirLister to avoid delay

• you conveyancer send the contract to you, the buyer, and the buyer’s conveyancer, usually via DocuSign

• The agreed deposit is paid into you conveyancers trust account and both parties issues a receipt

• A 5 business day cooling-off period applies, allowing the buyer to complete finance and due diligence

At this point, your conveyancer takes over the legal process. You take a back seat while they manage compliance, deposits, and settlement steps on your behalf — just as they would in an agent-assisted sale.

Legal Requirements for Private Property Sales in Queensland

Seller Disclosure Statement (Form 2)

In Queensland, sellers must provide buyers with a Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement before contracts are signed. This includes title details, encumbrances, and other prescribed information. Incorrect or missing disclosure can allow buyers to terminate the contract.

Contract of Sale

The contract is prepared or reviewed by a licensed conveyancer or solicitor. Most QLD sales use the REIQ Contract of Sale, which is accepted by banks and legal professionals statewide.

Deposit Trust Accounts

Sellers cannot legally hold deposits in Queensland. Deposits must be held in a trust account by:

• A conveyancer

• A solicitor

• A licensed real estate agent

Holding a deposit personally can result in penalties and serious legal issues.

Pool Safety (If Applicable)

If your property has a pool or spa, a valid Pool Safety Certificate or Form 36 notice is required before settlement.

Cost to Sell Privately vs Using an Agent in QLD

Understanding the true cost difference between selling privately and using a real estate agent in Queensland helps homeowners make an informed decision. Below is a realistic comparison based on a $900,000 QLD property.

Typical traditional agent cost

• Commission: $27 000 (3%)

• GST: $2700

• Marketing: $2,000–$5,000+

• Realestate.com listing: ~$4000 -$5000

• Signage and brochures: $1000

• Photography $500-2000

Total on a $900,000 home: $36,000–$40,000+

Typical Private Sale Costs

• Airlister listing fee $699

• optional signage and brochures: $100 - 500

• optional photography: $500-2000

total on a $900 000 home is $699- $2000

Savings: Often $35,000–$40,000+

Frequently Asked Questions

Is selling without an agent legal in Queensland?
Yes.

Do I need a solicitor or conveyancer?
Yes, for contracts and settlement.

Who holds the deposit?
A licensed conveyancer, solicitor, or agent trust account.

What is the cooling-off period in QLD?
5 business days.

Can I still list on realestate.com.au?
Yes, through licensed listing services.

How much will I save
Depends on property price, the average in 2026 is a saving of $42K