How to Sell a House Privately in Sydney

If you’ve ever looked at how much money real estate agents make on the sale of a home, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a better way. In Sydney’s property market, even modest homes can attract commissions of $20,000, $30,000, or more—just for listing a home and negotiating a sale. The truth is, you don’t need to use a traditional agent to sell your home. You can do it yourself, save tens of thousands of dollars, and still achieve an outstanding result.

At Mivo, we make it simple for you to sell your home privately. You’ll get access to the most important property sites in Australia, tools to create your listing, and an easy-to-use dashboard to manage everything from start to finish. With our guidance, the process is easier than most people expect. If you’re ready to take control of your property sale, here’s a step-by-step guide to selling privately in Sydney using Mivo.

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Step 1: Make the Decision to Sell

Selling a home is a big move, so it starts with a clear decision. You need to be sure this is the right time financially and personally. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or relocating, having clarity about your goals will help guide your decisions throughout the process. When you decide to sell privately with Mivo, you’re also making the decision to take control of your sale and maximise your return. This one choice can result in savings of tens of thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to a real estate agent.

Step 2: Understand Why Selling Privately Works

Many homeowners still believe that only agents can access big property platforms or attract serious buyers. That simply isn’t true anymore. When you use Mivo, your listing appears on realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and other top sites that buyers use every day. Buyers don’t care whether a home is listed by an agent or a private seller—they care about the property itself. And when you list with Mivo, your property gets the same exposure and marketing reach as it would with any traditional agency. The difference is, you don’t have to pay commission fees or lose control over the process.

Step 3: Sign Up With Mivo and Set Up Your Dashboard

Getting started with Mivo is quick and straightforward. Simply sign up for an account and you’ll gain instant access to your personal property dashboard. This dashboard is where you’ll create and edit your listing, manage enquiries, schedule inspections, and track the progress of your sale. It’s designed to be intuitive—even if you’ve never sold a home before, you’ll find it easy to navigate. You’re never on your own either. Mivo provides tips, checklists, and optional services to help you get everything done confidently.

Step 4: Prepare Your Property for Sale

Presentation matters. Whether you’re selling a family home in the Inner West or a coastal retreat in the Northern Beaches, your home needs to look its best. Start by decluttering every room and removing personal items that could distract buyers. Clean every surface, inside and out, and consider fresh paint for worn-out walls. Don’t forget about street appeal—mow the lawn, tidy the garden, and make sure the entryway is welcoming. You don’t need to go overboard, but a neat, well-presented home creates a stronger first impression and encourages more interest from buyers.

Mivo also provides resources to help you prepare your property for professional photography and inspections. Our team can recommend affordable stylists and photographers if you need extra help.

Step 5: Organise the Contract of Sale

In New South Wales, you must have a contract of sale prepared before advertising your property. This legal document outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, including any special clauses, title information, and inclusions like appliances or fixtures. A licensed conveyancer or solicitor can help you draft the contract. If you don’t already have one, Mivo can connect you with experienced professionals who understand the NSW property market.

This step is a legal requirement and ensures everything is in order before you begin marketing your home.

Step 6: Take Photos and Write Your Listing

Your listing is your main marketing tool, so it needs to shine. High-quality photos will grab attention, and a clear, engaging description will convince buyers to get in touch. You can either take your own photos using a good camera and natural light, or book a professional photographer through Mivo. We recommend using a pro—it’s a small investment that makes a big difference.

For your listing description, think about what buyers want to know. Mention the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and car spaces, but also highlight the lifestyle features: the sunny backyard, the renovated kitchen, the walking distance to shops or schools. Be honest, accurate, and enthusiastic. Your Mivo dashboard lets you preview your listing, edit it as often as you like, and upload new images or videos any time.

Step 7: List Your Property on Australia’s Top Sites

Once you’ve finalised your description and uploaded your images, it’s time to publish your listing. Through Mivo, your property is instantly uploaded to major real estate websites including realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. These platforms receive millions of visits every month, and your property will be right there among the others. Buyers browsing online won’t know or care whether your home is listed by an agent or a private seller—they’ll just see an attractive property they want to inspect.

Mivo also gives you options to upgrade your ad if you want premium placement or enhanced visibility. These upgrades are completely optional and available at a fraction of the cost charged by traditional agencies.

Step 8: Manage Enquiries and Inspections

Once your property is live, you’ll begin to receive enquiries directly through your Mivo dashboard. You can reply to buyers, answer questions, and schedule open homes or private inspections. The best part? You’re in control. You choose when inspections happen, you meet buyers face-to-face, and you can present your property in the way that suits you best.

Some sellers choose to run weekend open homes, while others prefer to schedule private viewings by appointment. Either way, Mivo gives you the tools to handle everything easily. We also provide inspection templates and checklists to help you stay organised and professional throughout the process.

Step 9: Negotiate the Offer and Accept the Best One

When a buyer is interested, they’ll typically make an offer either verbally or in writing. You have the freedom to accept it, reject it, or negotiate further. This is another area where private selling really shines—you’re not relying on an agent to pass along information or interpret your wishes. You talk directly with the buyer and come to an agreement that works for both parties.

If you’re unsure how to handle offers, Mivo has guides and sample negotiation scripts you can follow. It’s easier than you think, and many of our users say that being part of the negotiation helped them feel more confident and in control. Once you’ve accepted an offer, your conveyancer will help both parties move forward with signing contracts and handling the legal steps.

Step 10: Finalise Settlement and Celebrate Your Success

With the contract signed and the deposit paid, you’re now on the home stretch. The settlement process usually takes between 30 and 90 days in NSW, depending on what was agreed in the contract. During this time, your conveyancer or solicitor will handle any remaining paperwork, deal with the buyer’s legal team, and ensure the transfer of ownership happens smoothly.

On settlement day, the buyer pays the remaining balance, and the property officially changes hands. You hand over the keys, and the deal is done. You’ve sold your home privately—and you’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars by using Mivo instead of a traditional real estate agent.

Why More Sydneysiders Are Selling Privately With Mivo

Sydney is one of the most expensive property markets in the world, which means commission fees are especially high. With agent commissions often ranging between 1.5% and 2.5%, it’s not unusual for sellers to lose $30,000 or more in agent fees alone. For many sellers, that money could go toward their next home, a holiday, or simply be saved for the future.

When you list with Mivo, you get the same exposure, tools, and support you’d expect from a traditional agent—but without the cost. Our platform puts you in control of every part of your sale, from listing and marketing to negotiation and inspections. We guide you along the way, but you call the shots. The process is transparent, simple, and designed for everyday Australians who want to take a smarter approach to property selling.

You’re More Than Capable

Don’t fall for the myth that you need to be a real estate expert to sell your home. With Mivo, you don’t. You just need to be organised, follow a few simple steps, and be willing to take an active role in the process. We’ve helped thousands of Australians do exactly that. Our users range from retirees to young couples to first-time sellers, all of whom were surprised at how easy the process actually is.

So if you’re ready to sell your Sydney home and you don’t want to give away a chunk of your hard-earned equity, take the first step today. Sign up with Mivo, start building your listing, and take control of your property journey. You’ll wonder why you ever considered paying an agent in the first place.