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Private Sales6 min readFull guide
What are the risks of selling property privately?
Private sale can save commission — but unstructured private sales create serious legal and financial risks. Know them before you proceed.
Top private sale risks
- Poorly drafted OTP — missing suspensive conditions, vague fixtures lists, no compliance requirements
- Inadequate buyer screening — buyers who cannot get bond approval waste months
- Pricing mistakes — overpricing without market data or underpricing without negotiation
- Document gaps — missing FICA, disclosure, building plans or compliance certificates
- Transfer delays — no professional chasing the process
- Disputes at handover — fixtures, defects and occupational rent disagreements
How to reduce risk
- Have your OTP prepared or reviewed by a conveyancer
- Verify buyer's bond pre-qualification before accepting
- Complete seller disclosure honestly
- Order compliance certificates early
- Use a structured support service — not a generic template
Assess your readiness: Private Sale Readiness Quiz · Explore support: Private Sales
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified conveyancer or attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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