Selling a house in Victoria involves more than choosing an agent and setting a price. Before your property hits the market, you need a compliant Section 32 Vendor Statement and Contract of Sale. After a buyer signs, there are deadlines to meet, lenders to coordinate and adjustments to calculate. This checklist walks you through the conveyancing side of selling, step by step.
Before You List: Preparing to Sell
1. Engage a conveyancer early
Your conveyancer prepares the legal documents the agent needs before marketing can start. Engaging them early avoids delays to your campaign. See our residential property conveyancing service for sellers.
2. Gather your property documents
Collect building permits for any renovations, owners corporation details, recent rates and water notices, and details of any owner-builder work. Missing permits are a common cause of last-minute problems.
3. Prepare the Section 32 Vendor Statement
The Section 32 discloses title, planning, outgoings, permits and other information buyers must receive before signing. It must be accurate and complete – errors can allow a buyer to end the contract. Read our guide to the Section 32 Vendor Statement.
4. Prepare the Contract of Sale
Your conveyancer drafts the contract, including the settlement period, deposit, inclusions and any special conditions. Think about the settlement date you need – especially if you are also buying.
5. Check your mortgage
Contact your lender about discharging your loan at settlement. Ask about break costs if you are on a fixed rate, and allow time for the discharge authority to be processed.
During the Campaign
6. Review offers and special conditions
Buyers may ask for finance, building inspection or sale-of-property conditions, or a different settlement period. Your conveyancer can explain the risks before you accept.
7. Understand auction vs private sale rules
Private sale buyers usually have a cooling-off period; auction buyers do not. If selling by auction, make sure the contract is ready and the reserve price is agreed in writing with your agent.
After the Contract Is Signed
8. Monitor conditions and deadlines
If the buyer has a finance or inspection condition, your conveyancer tracks the deadline and confirms when the contract becomes unconditional.
9. Consider early release of the deposit
In some cases, sellers can access the deposit before settlement – for example, to fund a deposit on their next home – if the contract and statutory requirements allow it. Your conveyancer handles the required statement and requests.
10. Respond to buyer enquiries
Buyers’ conveyancers may raise questions about the title, permits or inclusions. Prompt, accurate responses keep the sale on track.
11. Prepare for settlement
Your conveyancer confirms the payout figure with your lender, calculates adjustments for rates and water, signs the transfer on PEXA and arranges for any caveats to be removed.
12. Hand over the property
Leave the home vacant (unless sold with a tenant), with included fixtures and chattels in place, and keys with the agent. After settlement, the sale proceeds are paid to your nominated account.
Costs When Selling a House in Victoria
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Conveyancing fee | Fixed fee for Section 32, contract and settlement |
| Agent commission and marketing | Agreed with your agent in the sale authority |
| Mortgage discharge fee | Charged by your lender; break costs may apply |
| Adjustments | Rates and water may be credited or charged at settlement |
| Capital gains tax | May apply to investment properties – speak with your accountant |
For contracts signed from 1 January 2025, the buyer must withhold 15% of the purchase price for the ATO – whatever the sale price – unless you provide a clearance certificate showing you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. Apply early through the Australian Taxation Office to avoid delays.
Selling and Buying at the Same Time
Many sellers are also buying their next home. Aligning both settlements on the same day, or using a bridging loan, can avoid moving twice. Your conveyancer coordinates both transactions on PEXA so funds from your sale flow to your purchase. Learn more about property settlement in Victoria and our conveyancing fees.
Selling a House in Victoria: Common Seller Mistakes
- Starting marketing before the Section 32 is ready.
- Forgetting to disclose building permits for renovations.
- Agreeing to a settlement date that does not match your next purchase.
- Not applying early for an ATO clearance certificate.
- Leaving fixtures or chattels behind that were excluded – or removing ones that were included.
How Long Does Selling a House in Victoria Take?
From preparing the Section 32 to settlement, selling a house in Victoria commonly takes two to four months. Preparation and marketing usually take four to eight weeks, and settlement periods are typically 30 to 90 days after the contract is signed. Auctions give you a fixed sale date, while private sales can be faster or slower depending on buyer interest.
Our conveyancers prepare your documents early, track every deadline and coordinate with your lender and agent, so selling a house in Victoria is as smooth as possible. Read our Section 32 Vendor Statement guide and our PEXA settlement explainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need the Section 32 ready?
Before any buyer signs a contract. In practice, have it ready before the property is advertised so the agent can provide it to interested buyers.
Can I sell my house without a conveyancer in Victoria?
It is legally possible, but preparing a compliant Section 32, contract and PEXA settlement involves legal risk. Most sellers use a conveyancer or lawyer.
What is a foreign resident capital gains withholding clearance certificate?
A certificate from the ATO confirming you are not a foreign resident. Without it, the buyer must withhold 15% of the purchase price at settlement, regardless of the sale price.
How long does it take to sell a house in Victoria?
Marketing campaigns often run four to six weeks, and settlement periods are usually 30 to 90 days after the contract is signed.
Need help? Easy Home Conveyancing offers fixed-fee conveyancing across Melbourne and Victoria. Call 0412 850 551 or request a free quote.
