Mel Dennis, Vendor Advocate
Selling a property is rarely straightforward. And when that property has been your family home for years, the emotional weight makes every decision feel heavier. Right now, in Melbourne’s current market, that weight matters even more. Melbourne’s auction clearance rate is sitting at 53% this week, around 12 percentage points below where it was this time last year. That is not a crisis, but it is a market that will reward sellers who do the right things and expose those who do not. There are four things I want every Melbourne seller to have front of mind before they start. Domain.com.auIntegratedfinancegroup
Choosing the right agent matters more than most people realise. You want someone who genuinely knows your suburb, not just the postcode. An agent with strong local market share is actively talking to the buyers you need. But here is something sellers often miss: make sure the agent you sign with is the one standing at your front door on inspection day. Not a junior. Not a colleague. Them. The agent who knows which buyer lingered longest and who is worth calling back. In the current market, more Melbourne properties are being negotiated post-auction rather than selling under the hammer, which means the agent’s negotiation skill after the auction matters just as much as the day itself. RealEstateCalc
Marketing spend needs scrutiny. Yes, your property needs to be seen. But it is very easy to over-capitalise on a campaign that looks impressive on paper and delivers little. Know your target buyer, and put your money in the channels where that buyer is actually looking. A vendor advocate will push back on inflated marketing recommendations so you are not footing the bill for someone else’s brand building.
Presentation shapes perception, fast. Buyers decide within moments. Strong professional photography gets your property onto weekend shortlists. A thoughtful pre-sale tidy can shift how a buyer feels walking through the door. One word of caution though: a fresh coat of paint on a tired property can just as easily draw the eye to what else needs doing. Get an honest assessment before you spend.
Price your property on evidence, not attachment. Vendors in Melbourne increasingly need to adjust price expectations as buyer borrowing capacity has been materially reduced by consecutive RBA rate rises. Look at what has actually sold nearby. Compare land size, location, and condition. Your history in the home is real, but buyers are not buying your memories. They are buying what the market says the property is worth. Getting clear on that number early puts you in a far stronger position, particularly right now when cautious buyer behaviour and price sensitivity are defining this market. IntegratedfinancegroupRealEstateCalc
These four things, done well, give you the best possible foundation for a successful sale in the current climate.
At Domain and Co, our vendor advocacy service puts us firmly in your corner. We help you appoint the right agent, keep the campaign honest, and take the pressure off your plate, at no additional cost to you.
To find out more, call Mel on 0416 218 003.
