Selling a property feels overwhelming at first. There are agents, contracts, open homes, negotiations, and everyone seems to have a different opinion on what to do first.
The good news? How to sell your property doesn’t have to be complicated. If you follow the right steps in the right order, the process becomes much more manageable, and you’re more likely to get a strong result.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do if you’re selling property in Queensland in 2026.
Most properties in Queensland sell within 30 to 90 days from listing to settlement. However, this varies depending on your suburb, price point, and how well you prepare.
In Brisbane’s current market, well-priced homes in sought-after suburbs are moving faster, sometimes within 2–3 weeks. Outer suburbs or overpriced properties can sit for months.
The biggest factor in your timeline isn’t the market. It’s preparation.
Before you do anything else, find out what your property is actually worth.
Many sellers skip this step and rely on gut feeling or what a neighbour sold for two years ago. That’s a mistake. An accurate property valuation in Queensland gives you a realistic price guide and stops you from underselling or scaring buyers away with an inflated price.
You have two options:
Get at least two opinions before settling on a price range.
In Queensland, most properties sell through private treaty (private sale) or auction. Each suits different situations.
Private sale works well when your property appeals to a specific buyer type, or when you want more control over timing and negotiation. It’s also less stressful for many sellers.
Auction works well in a competitive market with strong buyer demand. It creates urgency and can push the final price higher, but it’s not guaranteed.
Talk to your agent about which method suits your property and your suburb’s current conditions.
Technically, no. You can sell privately in Queensland without an agent. However, most people benefit from professional representation, especially for negotiation, marketing reach, and handling contracts.
Real estate agent fees in Queensland typically range from 2% to 3% of the sale price, plus marketing costs. On a $700,000 property, that’s $14,000–$21,000. It sounds like a lot, but a good agent usually more than covers their fee through better pricing and negotiation.
First impressions drive offers. Buyers decide how they feel about a property within the first few minutes, online and in person. These are the areas that you should fix before selling your house:
Property styling also makes a real difference. Professionally styled homes photograph better and sell faster. Some styling companies work on a deferred payment; you pay from settlement proceeds. You don’t need to renovate. You need to present well.
A lot of sellers focus on the sale price and forget about what comes out the other side. Here’s a realistic breakdown of how much it costs to sell a house in Australia:
| Cost | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Agent commission (2–3%) | $14,000–$21,000 on $700K |
| Marketing (photos, listing) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Conveyancing / legal fees | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Property styling (optional) | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Repairs / maintenance | Varies |
| Capital gains tax (if investment) | Varies — get advice |
Budget for these costs upfront so you’re not surprised at settlement.
In Queensland, the seller must prepare a Contract of Sale before listing the property. This is different from most other Australian states, where the buyer prepares it. You’ll need a conveyancer or solicitor to handle this. They’ll also manage:
Conveyancing in Queensland typically costs $1,200–$2,500, depending on complexity. Don’t skip this; errors in contracts can delay settlement or expose you to legal risk.
When offers come in, resist the urge to accept the first one immediately, unless it’s clearly strong. A few things to keep in mind during negotiation:
Your agent handles most of this communication, which is another reason good representation pays off. Once you accept an offer and both parties sign the contract, a 5-business-day cooling-off period applies in Queensland for private sales. After that, the sale moves toward settlement.
Speed and price don’t always pull in opposite directions. These four things genuinely move the needle:
Price it right from day one. Overpriced listings go stale within weeks. A price reduction later tells buyers something is wrong, even when nothing is.
Get professional photography done. Buyers scroll through dozens of listings before they shortlist. Dark, blurry photos don’t get clicks. Good photos do.
Open up your inspection schedule. Weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, both — the more flexible you are, the more foot traffic you get. More foot traffic means more competition.
Pick an agent who actually works your suburb. Not just the city. Your suburb. They’ll know the right buyers, the right price, and what’s sitting unsold two streets over.
Queensland property sales don’t have to drag on for months. Most sellers who prepare properly are genuinely surprised at how quick and clean the process can be.
Thinking about selling in Brisbane or southeast Queensland? The team at Landmark Properties can walk you through what your property is worth and what selling it actually involves, no pressure, just straight answers.
Welcome to Landmark Property – Where Heritage Meets Luxury
White Rock Qld 4306
Sam@landmarkhomesqld.com.au
+61 0499 207 377