Private sales – are they worth the risk? I was engaged by a very experienced (but technically insolvent) builder who had sold a “spec” home privately to a neighbour. Settlement was to occur once the neighbour’s home had sold and it was on the market for a very high price, unlikely to sell. The builder had a serious and costly problem that had not been resolved by the company’s solicitors. I negotiated an immediate resolution, the builder was paid, and I later sold a series of homes for them.

Back in the 1980’s I ran a housing development business for Fletchers. I became frustrated trying to get real estate agents to sell my properties so I learnt to market and sell most of them myself. With experience, I could identify a small group of salespeople who knew exactly what they were doing, were honest in their undertakings, and worked closely with me. We worked well together and I learnt a lot from them. The business became very profitable and my life became easier.

Since then I have never tried to sell a property privately. I know people who tried, then came to me to get it sold discretely. I think it is quite a reflection on the private sale process that I can recall at least twenty of my sales in the last few years that involved a real estate professional or Valuer as my client!

The most critical decision you make is whom you get to do the job. Call me!