Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Privately

Yes, absolutely. In every Australian state and territory, homeowners have the legal right to sell their own property privately. There is no law requiring you to use a licensed real estate agent. What you do need is to comply with state-specific disclosure requirements, use a licensed conveyancer or solicitor for the contract of sale, and meet any mandatory document obligations (such as a Section 32 in Victoria or a contract for sale pack in NSW).

SellMyOwnHome.ai is a self-service platform — not a real estate agency. We provide AI-powered tools that handle the tasks traditionally done by agents: writing compelling property descriptions, analysing your photos, generating floorplans, finding comparable sales for pricing guidance, and managing buyer enquiries. Our compliance engine ensures you meet your state's legal requirements. Think of us as your AI-powered toolkit for private sales.

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who acts on your behalf, negotiates with buyers, and typically charges 2-2.5% commission. SellMyOwnHome.ai is a self-service software platform — we do NOT act as your agent, negotiate on your behalf, or provide legal advice. Instead, we give you the tools, templates, and AI assistance to handle the sale yourself, at a flat monthly subscription fee rather than a percentage-based commission.

No. As the owner of the property, you do not need a real estate licence to sell your own home. However, you will need a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to prepare the contract of sale and handle the legal settlement process. We strongly recommend engaging a conveyancer early in the process — our platform can help you find one in your area.

Required documents vary by state. Generally, you'll need: a contract of sale (prepared by your conveyancer), title search and certificate of title, zoning certificate, drainage diagram, and any applicable building/pest inspection reports. In Victoria, you need a Section 32 (vendor's statement). In NSW, you need a contract for sale pack including a planning certificate (Section 10.7). Our compliance engine walks you through exactly what's needed for your state.

Our AI analyses recent comparable sales in your area, current market conditions, and your property's features to suggest a price range. You can also research recent sales on Domain and realestate.com.au, get a formal bank valuation ($300-$600), or commission an independent property valuer. We always recommend cross-referencing multiple sources. Remember, the market ultimately determines the final sale price.

You organise and conduct inspections yourself. This can be private inspections by appointment or scheduled open homes. Our platform helps you manage inspection bookings, send reminders to interested buyers, and collect feedback. Many private sellers find that buyers appreciate dealing directly with the owner — you know your home better than any agent. We provide tips on presentation, safety, and what to say (and not say) during inspections.

Yes. A buyer is free to engage their own buyer's agent to represent them. If a buyer's agent contacts you, you deal with them as you would any buyer. You are under no obligation to pay the buyer's agent a commission — that is typically the buyer's responsibility. Our platform provides guidance on handling buyer's agent enquiries professionally.

The contract of sale must be prepared by a licensed conveyancer or solicitor. This is not something you should attempt yourself, and our platform does not generate legal contracts. Your conveyancer will prepare the contract, include all required schedules and disclosures for your state, and handle the exchange and settlement process. We help you find a conveyancer and coordinate timelines.

Each state has different rules. In NSW, you need a contract for sale pack including a Section 10.7 planning certificate before marketing. In Victoria, a Section 32 vendor's statement is mandatory before a buyer signs. Queensland requires a Form 24 property sustainability declaration. Western Australia requires a seller's disclosure form in some cases. Our compliance engine is tailored to your state and guides you through every requirement step by step.

Yes, you absolutely need a licensed conveyancer or solicitor. While you can market and show the property yourself, the legal transfer of property ownership must be handled by a qualified professional. They prepare the contract of sale, conduct title searches, ensure compliance with state regulations, handle the exchange of contracts, and manage the settlement process. This typically costs $800-$2,500 depending on your state and the complexity of the sale.

As a seller, you have a legal obligation to disclose known material facts about the property. This includes structural defects, pest infestations, flood/bushfire zoning, easements, disputes with neighbours, and any renovations done without council approval. Failing to disclose known issues can result in legal action from the buyer after settlement. Our platform includes a comprehensive disclosure checklist to help you meet your obligations.

On a $1,000,000 property, a typical agent commission of 2-2.5% would be $20,000-$25,000 (plus GST on the commission). With SellMyOwnHome.ai, you pay a flat monthly subscription fee. Even after accounting for conveyancer fees, marketing costs, and our subscription, most sellers save $15,000-$20,000 or more. Use our Commission Calculator to see your estimated savings based on your property value.

We offer flat-fee subscription plans — not commission-based pricing. Our plans include AI-powered listing tools, compliance workflows, buyer management, and support. Visit our pricing page for current plan details. There are no hidden fees, no success fees, and no percentage of your sale price. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

Beyond our subscription, typical costs include: conveyancer/solicitor fees ($800-$2,500), marketing costs if you choose to list on realestate.com.au or Domain (varies by listing type and duration), building and pest inspection reports ($400-$800 if requested by buyers), styling or photography if desired, and any required certificates (e.g., pool compliance, smoke alarm compliance). These costs are the same whether you use an agent or sell privately.

Our AI analyses your property details — bedrooms, bathrooms, features, location, recent renovations — and generates a professional, engaging listing description. It's trained on thousands of successful Australian property listings and understands what buyers are looking for. You can customise the tone (formal, friendly, luxury), regenerate as many times as you like, and edit the final result. The AI writes in Australian English and highlights the features that matter most to local buyers.

Yes. We take data security seriously. Your property information and personal details are encrypted in transit and at rest. We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Our platform is hosted on secure infrastructure, and we comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988. You can delete your account and all associated data at any time. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Our AI provides pricing guidance by analysing comparable recent sales in your area, property features, and market trends. This gives you a data-driven starting point for setting your asking price. However, this is guidance only — not a formal valuation. For a legally recognised valuation (e.g., for finance purposes), you'll need a licensed property valuer. We always recommend consulting multiple sources before setting your price.

Our AI suite includes: property description generation, photo analysis and enhancement suggestions, comparable sales analysis for pricing guidance, floorplan generation from your photos, buyer enquiry management with suggested responses, compliance checklist generation based on your state, and market insights for your suburb. All AI features are included in your subscription — no per-use charges.