How selling works
Eight stages from first conversation to settlement, and what to expect at each one. Most people selling a house have only done it once or twice, so nothing here assumes you know the process.
The process
Appraisal
Lochie walks through the property, looks at what comparable homes nearby have actually sold for, and gives you a considered price range. You get an honest view of value and timing. Nothing is committed at this point, and plenty of people have this conversation a year before they sell.
Deciding to go ahead
If you want to proceed, Lochie talks you through method of sale, a marketing budget and his fee, and you sign an agency agreement appointing him to act for you. Everything is in writing before anything is spent.
Preparing the property
Decluttering, small repairs, gardens, and sometimes styling. Lochie advises on what is worth doing and what is not, because most properties need far less than owners expect. Professional photography, floorplan and copywriting happen at the end of this stage.
Launch to market
The listing goes live on realestate.com.au and Domain, the signboard goes up, and Lochie calls buyers already on his register who are looking for exactly your type of property. Some sell in this window before the first open home.
Inspections
Open homes and private inspections. You get feedback after every one, not just a weekly summary, along with enquiry numbers and how your property is tracking against buyer expectations on price.
Offers and negotiation
Offers come in writing. Lochie reviews each one, drafts it for the buyer to sign, presents it to you with the conditions explained, and negotiates on your behalf. You decide whether to accept, counter or wait.
Under contract
The buyer attends to their conditions, typically finance approval and a building inspection. Lochie stays on top of each deadline and keeps you updated as each condition is satisfied.
Unconditional and settlement
Once all conditions are satisfied the contract is unconditional. Your conveyancer handles settlement, keys are handed over, and the proceeds are paid to you.
Timeframes are typical for Launceston and northern Tasmania and will vary with the property, the method of sale and the buyer. Lochie will give you realistic dates for your own campaign at the appraisal.
No. The appraisal is free and carries no obligation to list with Lochie or to sell at all.
Across the Launceston suburbs Lochie works in, the median is currently between roughly three and eight weeks on market depending on the suburb. The suburb guides show the current figure for each area.
Two things: the agency fee, which is agreed in writing before you list, and the marketing spend, which you approve up front. Lochie will set both out clearly at the appraisal so there are no surprises.
It depends on your finances and the market at the time. It is one of the most common questions Lochie gets, and worth a conversation rather than a rule of thumb.
Start at stage one
An appraisal costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It is simply an honest view of what your property is worth today.