If you’re considering selling your home, investment property, unit or townhouse, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is choosing the right method of sale. A private sale is the most common way to sell residential real estate in Victoria and remains a popular choice for many Melbourne property owners.
A private sale is a process where a property is advertised with either a fixed asking price or a price range, allowing buyers to submit offers directly through the selling agent. Unlike an auction, there is no public bidding process or predetermined sale date. Instead, buyers and sellers negotiate privately to reach an agreement on price and terms.
For many vendors, a private sale offers greater flexibility, privacy and control throughout the sales process. Buyers are able to conduct their due diligence, arrange finance approval and carefully assess the property before submitting an offer, often resulting in more confident and committed purchasers.
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, private sales remain one of the most common methods of selling residential property throughout Victoria and provide vendors with flexibility when negotiating contracts and settlement terms.
Who Decides How a Property Is Sold?
One of the most common misconceptions among property owners is that the real estate agent decides whether a property should be sold by private sale, auction or expression of interest. In reality, the final decision always rests with the property owner.
At Lewin Real Estate, our role is to provide expert advice, market insights and strategic recommendations based on your property’s unique characteristics, local market conditions and your personal selling goals. We explain the advantages and disadvantages of each sales method, provide evidence from recent comparable sales and discuss the likely buyer profile for your property. Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about the best path forward.
When recommending a method of sale, we consider:
- Current market conditions in your suburb
- Recent comparable sales
- The style and type of property
- Buyer demand and competition levels
- Your preferred timeline
- Whether your priority is speed, certainty, flexibility or achieving the highest possible sale price
While we provide guidance based on our experience and local market knowledge, the choice of how your property is sold is always yours.
Is a Private Sale Right for Your Property?
One of the most common questions we receive at Lewin Real Estate is whether a private sale or auction will achieve the best result.
The answer depends on a range of factors, including your property’s location, buyer demand, current market conditions and your personal goals as a seller. While every property is different, private sales continue to be one of the most effective and widely used methods of sale throughout Melbourne and Victoria.
A private sale is often well suited to properties where buyers may require additional time to organise finance, conduct building and pest inspections, review contracts with their solicitor or conveyancer and complete their due diligence before making an offer. This frequently results in more qualified buyers entering negotiations with confidence and a genuine intention to purchase.
At Lewin Real Estate, we undertake a detailed assessment of every property before recommending a sales strategy. This includes analysing recent comparable sales, reviewing local market conditions, assessing buyer activity and identifying the most likely purchaser demographic for your property.
A private sale may be the right choice if:
- You prefer flexibility around the timing of offers.
- You would like the ability to negotiate both price and contract terms.
- Your likely buyers are owner-occupiers requiring finance approval.
- You want a more private and controlled sales process.
- Market conditions favour negotiation over competitive bidding.
- You are seeking flexibility around settlement periods and special conditions.
Private sales are particularly effective for family homes, townhouses, apartments, investment properties and downsizer-focused residences. These property types often attract buyers who appreciate the opportunity to carefully evaluate a property and negotiate directly rather than competing in a public auction environment.
One of the key advantages of a private sale is the ability to negotiate throughout the campaign rather than waiting for a specific auction date. This allows vendors to consider strong offers as they arise and provides greater control over the overall sales process.
At Lewin Real Estate, we don’t simply list properties and wait for offers. Our team actively manages buyer enquiries, conducts strategic follow-up, identifies motivated purchasers and creates competition wherever possible. Through professional marketing, database buyer matching and skilled negotiation, we work to maximise both buyer engagement and sale price.
While auctions can be highly effective in certain circumstances, many Melbourne sellers choose private sale campaigns because they offer flexibility, privacy and greater control while still achieving outstanding results when managed correctly.
If you’re unsure whether a private sale is the right strategy for your property, our team can provide expert advice tailored to your home, your suburb and your objectives, ensuring you choose the sales method most likely to deliver a premium outcome.
How Lewin Real Estate Maximises Private Sale Results
A successful private sale requires more than simply listing a property online. It requires strategic marketing, proactive buyer engagement and expert negotiation.
Our tailored private sale campaigns typically include:
- Professional photography, videography and floorplans
- Premium advertising on major real estate portals
- Social media and digital marketing campaigns
- Database marketing to qualified buyers
- Open for inspections and private appointments
- Detailed vendor reporting and market feedback
- Skilled negotiation throughout the campaign
Our goal is to ensure every buyer understands the value of your property and has every opportunity to submit their strongest offer.
Speak With Lewin Real Estate About Your Selling Options
Choosing between a private sale, auction or expression of interest campaign can have a significant impact on your final sale result.
At Lewin Real Estate, we take the time to understand your goals, assess your property and recommend the strategy most likely to maximise your sale price while delivering a smooth and successful transaction.
If you’re considering selling in Cheltenham, Mentone, Parkdale, Moorabbin, Highett, Bentleigh or surrounding Bayside suburbs, contact Lewin Real Estate for a confidential discussion about your property and the sales method best suited to achieving your goals.