Can I sell my house privately in Melbourne?

Yes. You don’t need a licence to sell your own home in Victoria. You still need a licensed conveyancer or lawyer for the Section 32, the contract and settlement.

Private sale or auction?

Auction buyers get no cooling-off. Private sale buyers get 3 business days. If you want an auction, Unreserved Plus puts a licensed agent on your sale for a flat fee.

How long does a private sale take?

Usually 4 to 8 weeks to a signed contract. Then settlement on the date in the contract. 30, 60 or 90 days is common.

Who holds the deposit?

Your conveyancer, in their trust account, until settlement. It’s usually 10% of the price.

For Sale by Owner Melbourne: Homes & How to Sell (2026)

Step 1 of 5

Price it against Melbourne sales.

Start with sales of similar homes near you from the last six months, then set a range buyers will act on.

On a $973,000 house, 2.1% agent commission is $20,433 before GST and marketing. Unreserved Lite is $900.

Agent at 2.1%: $20,433
Unreserved Lite: $900

Get a free valuation

Step 2 of 5

Book your conveyancer and Section 32.

The buyer must have your Section 32 vendor statement, signed by you, before they sign the contract. If it’s missing or wrong, the buyer may be able to end the contract.

Victorian conveyancers commonly quote about $900 to $1,800 for the Section 32, contract and settlement, with searches on top. Don’t list until it’s ready.

Who prepares it: Conveyancer or lawyer
Typical cost: $900 to $1,800

Section 32 in detail

Step 3 of 5

List it with a Property Price Statement.

From 1 October 2026 the Property Price Statement replaces the Statement of Information. Unreserved is a licensed agency, so it applies to every Unreserved listing in Victoria.

Your home goes on realestate.com.au and Domain, where Melbourne buyers search.

Applies from: 1 October 2026
Listed on: realestate.com.au + Domain

See Unreserved Lite

An apartment building with timber balconies

Step 4 of 5

Offers and cooling-off.

On a private sale, the buyer gets three clear business days to change their mind, starting when they sign. You get none.

A buyer who pulls out loses $100 or 0.2% of the price, whichever is more. On $973,000 that’s $1,946. There’s no cooling-off at a public auction.

Buyer cooling-off: 3 business days
At auction: None

Cooling-off in detail

Step 5 of 5

Deposit and settlement.

The deposit is held by your conveyancer as stakeholder until settlement. Consumer Affairs Victoria says it’s usually 10%.

Settlement is whatever the contract says. Your conveyancer runs it, and you’re paid, deposit included, on the day.

Deposit: Usually 10%
Settlement: 30, 60 or 90 days is common

Sell your Melbourne home

For sale by owner homes in Melbourne.

7/9-11 Manikato Avenue

151 Tyler Street

1/281-282 Nepean Highway

18 Lyntonlee Avenue

19 Latrobe Street

2 Bailey James Court

1/7-9 Rodney Court

3 Mandarin Court

55A Croydondale Drive

1607/31 Abeckett Street

What’s your Melbourne home worth?

How to sell your own home in Melbourne.

Price it against Melbourne sales.

Book your conveyancer and Section 32.

List it with a Property Price Statement.

Offers and cooling-off.

Deposit and settlement.

For sale by owner across Melbourne.

For sale by owner in Bulleen.

For sale by owner in Frankston.

For sale by owner in Melbourne.

For sale by owner in Mernda.

For sale by owner in Mooroolbark.

For sale by owner in Mordialloc.

For sale by owner in Officer.

For sale by owner in Preston.

For sale by owner in Rowville.

For sale by owner in Seaford.

More for sale by owner homes nearby.

Elsewhere in Victoria

Rather have an agent?

Melbourne sellers ask.