Ethics Real Estate
The Selling Process – What to Expect
1. Market Appraisal.
Selling your home is a significant decision — we’re here to make the process smooth, stress-free, and fully transparent. Below is a step-by-step overview of how we guide you from appraisal through to settlement.
We discuss recent property sales in your area and what the current market may be willing to pay for your property. It's common for people to request a market appraisal six months, 12 months, or even two years before they’re ready to move on — that’s no problem for us, and there’s no pressure on you.
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2. You have decided to sell.
Great — now that you’ve decided to sell, the next step is to sit down and talk through the best marketing strategy for your property. The goal is to generate strong interest from buyers and create healthy competition — which often leads to a better result — but without the buyers feeling any pressure.
We’ll discuss free market strategy tailored specifically to your home and your goals. This includes how we advertise the property, where we advertise, and how we generate urgency to buyers. It's all about creating momentum in a way that feels natural and well-planned.
3. Getting the Paperwork Started
From here, your agent will take care of the heavy lifting — working with your solicitor to make sure all legal requirements (such as building reports) are complete before the property hits the market.
Typically, preparing a home for sale takes 2–3 weeks, as we coordinate with building inspectors, body corporate managers, property managers, the ACT Government, and your solicitor.
Your agent will also notify your property manager and any tenants, if applicable.
4. Presentation & Photography
Your agent will:
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Arrange professional photography at a time that highlights your property’s best features and suits you and or your tenants.
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Provide you with draft advertising text, professional photos and a floor plan for your feedback and approval before any advertising is presented to the public
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We’ll always seek your feedback and approval before launching your property to market.
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We can also organise furniture styling and minor home repairs if required.
5. On the Market.
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Once we receive the draft contract of sale your solicitor, we can begin advertising your property. Your agent will manage all marketing efforts, conduct property showings, and engage with potential buyers on your behalf. You will receive regular feedback on buyer interest, along with all offers presented to you for consideration.
Offer and Acceptance
Once we have found a buyer and agreed on a sale price and terms you are happy with, and the buyer’s details are confirmed, the proposed settlement date agreed, and any inclusions or special conditions finalised, we will issue the formal Sales Instructions to:
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Your solicitor
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The buyer’s solicitor
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The buyer’s bank or mortgage broker
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This puts the legal process in motion.
5. Solicitors Engaged & Contract Signing
Your solicitor should contact you within 24 hours of sending out the sales instructions.
Be sure to book a signing appointment as soon as possible so that all parties can move forward with the exchange of contracts.
6. Bank Valuation
The buyer’s lender usually requests a valuation 2–4 working days after the sales instructions are sent. We will coordinate access with the tenants or owners to ensure this inspection happens promptly. On occasion, a drive-by or desktop valuation is completed and a physical inspection is not required. After the valuation, it may take up to 5 working days for the buyer to receive unconditional loan approval. The purchaser’s solicitor will not exchange contracts or take a 10% deposit until this approval is provided in writing from the lender
7. Pre‑Exchange Inspection
Many solicitors recommend a final inspection about 48 hours before exchange, where the buyer checks that everything is in working order (dishwasher, air‑conditioning, garage door, ovens, etc).
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8. After Exchange
The day of exchange is a major milestone. Your solicitor will notify you on the day it happens, and your agent will typically receive written confirmation within 2–3 days.
9. For Tenanted Properties
If your property is tenanted, once contracts are exchanged we’ll contact the tenants and your property manager to arrange the buyer’s pre‑settlement inspection. Your solicitor will assist in adjusting rent payments and finalising bond transfers ahead of settlement..
10. Two weeks before Settlement
Stay in touch with your lender or finance broker to ensure the property title is ready to be released. Your solicitor works directly with your lender to ensure settlement happens on time.
📌 If the property is used as security for other loans or investments, let your lender know as early as possible — to help things run smoothly.
11. Pre-Settlement Inspection
This usually occurs up to 72 hours before settlement. This pre-settlement inspection allows buyers to have one final inspection prior to the completion of the sale to make sure the property is in the same condition as on the day of exchange. Most buyers' solicitors instruct their clients to do a pre-settlement inspection. Your agent will let you know when the pre-settlement inspection needs to be done. Please keep in mind if the property is sold with vacant possession it must be completely vacant during the pre-settlement inspection.
Again we recommend you do not get the power disconnected until after settlement has occurred.
12. The Day before Settlement.
If you are moving out prior to the pre-settlement inspection, remember that until we receive the instruction from your solicitor we cannot hand over the keys! Decide well ahead of time whether you will hand over all keys to your agent or solicitor before settlement day. Either way, let your agent and solicitor know exactly where and with whom you have left the keys with for settlement and the final Pre- Settlement inspection.
13. Insurance.
We recommend you continue to have the property adequately insured right up to settlement.
14 Mail.
You can redirect your mail online at Auspost.com.au It takes about 14 working days to activate
15 Change of address.
For ACT Government services www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au