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Selling a Property in NSW: Your Questions Answered
One link, every answer. From getting your paperwork together through to settlement day, here’s where to find the details.
Selling a home in NSW comes with its own set of questions, from what buyers will expect you to disclose to what happens between exchange and settlement. We’ve pulled together our most useful guides below, grouped by where you are in the process.
Buying instead of selling? Head to our buyer questions hub.
Before you list
Getting your paperwork together
What you’ll need to have ready, and what buyers and their conveyancers will expect you to answer honestly before a contract is signed.
Questions Sellers Must Answer Before a Buyer Signs the ContractThe questions a buyer’s legal representative will ask about the property before they sign the contract.
How much does it cost to get a contract of sale?The key costs of selling a home, including the contract of sale and conveyancing fees.
Do I need an Occupation Certificate to sell a house?An occupation certificate isn’t required to sell, but conveyancers often ask for one if changes were made to the house.
Selling a Property With a Pool in NSW: Compliance Certificates ExplainedNew pool regulations apply to properties for sale in NSW, and what that means for compliance certificates.
Selling in NSW? Why You Need an ATO Clearance CertificateEvery seller now needs an ATO clearance certificate. Without one, your buyer must hold back 15% at settlement.
Selling a House With Unapproved Building Works in NSWUnapproved works won’t stop a sale, but hiding them can derail it. How to handle them before you list.
How much does it cost to get a contract of sale?The key costs of selling a home, including the contract of sale and conveyancing fees.
Do I need an Occupation Certificate to sell a house?An occupation certificate isn’t required to sell, but conveyancers often ask for one if changes were made to the house.
Selling a Property With a Pool in NSW: Compliance Certificates ExplainedNew pool regulations apply to properties for sale in NSW, and what that means for compliance certificates.
Selling in NSW? Why You Need an ATO Clearance CertificateEvery seller now needs an ATO clearance certificate. Without one, your buyer must hold back 15% at settlement.
Selling a House With Unapproved Building Works in NSWUnapproved works won’t stop a sale, but hiding them can derail it. How to handle them before you list.
You’ve accepted an offer
From offer to exchange
What happens next once you’ve said yes, including cooling-off, identity checks and getting to exchange of contracts.
Selling a Property: You’ve Accepted an Offer. Here’s What Happens NextTwelve steps stand between accepting an offer and exchanging contracts, and what we need from you at each one.
What Is a Cooling-Off Period in NSW, and Is It Negotiable?The NSW cooling-off period is 5 business days from exchange. What it costs to pull out, when it doesn’t apply and whether it’s negotiable.
What is a 66W certificate? Waiving your cooling-off period in NSWA 66W certificate cancels your cooling-off period. What you give up and when it makes sense.
What Is Exchange of Contracts in NSW?Why exchange of contracts is a critical step in buying or selling property, and how it works.
What Is a Purchaser Declaration? The NSW Form Every Buyer SignsEvery NSW purchaser signs one. It tells Revenue NSW whether you are a foreign person, which decides if the 9% surcharge applies.
Anti-money laundering checks when buying or selling property: your questions answeredWhat the new anti-money laundering checks mean for you, including the extra ID and source of funds checks every client now completes.
What Is a Cooling-Off Period in NSW, and Is It Negotiable?The NSW cooling-off period is 5 business days from exchange. What it costs to pull out, when it doesn’t apply and whether it’s negotiable.
What is a 66W certificate? Waiving your cooling-off period in NSWA 66W certificate cancels your cooling-off period. What you give up and when it makes sense.
What Is Exchange of Contracts in NSW?Why exchange of contracts is a critical step in buying or selling property, and how it works.
What Is a Purchaser Declaration? The NSW Form Every Buyer SignsEvery NSW purchaser signs one. It tells Revenue NSW whether you are a foreign person, which decides if the 9% surcharge applies.
Anti-money laundering checks when buying or selling property: your questions answeredWhat the new anti-money laundering checks mean for you, including the extra ID and source of funds checks every client now completes.
Getting to settlement
Final steps and choosing who helps you get there
What’s still on your plate between exchange and settlement day, and how to pick the right person to guide you through it.
How to Prepare for Settlement in NSWSettlement day is largely automatic. The work is in the six weeks before it, and this is our checklist for buyers.
How Are Council Rates and Water Adjusted at Settlement in NSW?Council rates, water and strata levies are split by the day at settlement. How the adjustments work, with a worked example.
What Happens If Settlement Is Delayed in NSW?A missed settlement date doesn’t end the contract. How a notice to complete works and who pays for the delay.
What Does a Conveyancer Need in the Sales Advice?How a well drafted sales advice can speed up exchange, plus best practice for property transactions.
Conveyancer vs Solicitor in NSW: Which Should You Use?For the conveyancing itself, a licensed conveyancer and a solicitor do the same job. What actually differs.
What Does a Conveyancer Do in NSW?What a conveyancer does at each stage of buying or selling, from the contract to settlement.
Can You Use the Same Conveyancer as the Seller in NSW?You can use the seller’s conveyancer only in limited cases with written consent, and it’s rarely a good idea.
Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common: What Is the Difference?Buying with another person? Why you should decide how ownership is divided before you begin.
How Are Council Rates and Water Adjusted at Settlement in NSW?Council rates, water and strata levies are split by the day at settlement. How the adjustments work, with a worked example.
What Happens If Settlement Is Delayed in NSW?A missed settlement date doesn’t end the contract. How a notice to complete works and who pays for the delay.
What Does a Conveyancer Need in the Sales Advice?How a well drafted sales advice can speed up exchange, plus best practice for property transactions.
Conveyancer vs Solicitor in NSW: Which Should You Use?For the conveyancing itself, a licensed conveyancer and a solicitor do the same job. What actually differs.
What Does a Conveyancer Do in NSW?What a conveyancer does at each stage of buying or selling, from the contract to settlement.
Can You Use the Same Conveyancer as the Seller in NSW?You can use the seller’s conveyancer only in limited cases with written consent, and it’s rarely a good idea.
Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common: What Is the Difference?Buying with another person? Why you should decide how ownership is divided before you begin.
Still have a question we haven’t covered?
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