The 9 Pillars of a Successful Property Sale

Selling a property involves significant legal obligations. Protect yourself by getting the right team and paperwork in place early:

• Hire a lawyer — we ensure all legal documents are in order and advise you throughout the process
• Choose the right real estate agent — look for someone with experience in your area and strong negotiation skills
• Get a property valuation — know what your property is worth so you can set a realistic asking price
• Research the market — understand comparable sales in your area so you can price competitively
• Gather your documents — title, LIM report, council property report, any warranties and building consents
• Be upfront about known issues — disclosure obligations are real and honesty protects you from future claims

You've prepared the property and protected yourself. Now it's time to negotiate and finalise the agreement:

• Negotiate carefully — be willing to compromise, but don't accept a deal that doesn't work for you
• Get everything in writing — make sure all agreements are in writing and signed by everyone involved
• Get legal advice before signing — have your lawyer review the sale and purchase agreement to ensure your interests are protected

Once the buyer's conditions (finance, building report, LIM etc.) have been satisfied and the agreement is unconditional, you can start preparing for settlement with confidence. This is a significant milestone — it means the sale is confirmed and both parties are committed.

There is a lot of paperwork involved in a property sale, and it's important to make sure everything is completed and signed well before the settlement date. This includes:

• Transfer of ownership documents
• Mortgage discharge papers (if applicable)
• Any other legal paperwork related to the sale

We prepare all of this for you and guide you through the signing process.

Make sure all your finances are sorted before settlement day. This includes arranging for us to pay off any outstanding rates or mortgages on the settlement date from the sale proceeds. We'll coordinate this for you so everything settles cleanly on the day.

Don't leave the logistics to the last minute. Well before settlement day:

• Book your moving company — book well in advance, especially during busy periods
• Notify utility companies — arrange for gas, electricity, water, and internet to be transferred or disconnected
• Redirect your mail — set up mail redirection to your new address through NZ Post

Clean and tidy the property, and mow the lawns. The buyer is entitled to a final inspection no later than one business day before settlement, and they'll expect the property to be in the same condition as when they signed the agreement.

Before you leave, it's good practice to leave behind or advise the buyer of:

• Location of mains for water, gas, and electricity meters
• Names of trades-people who usually service the house
• Names of your neighbours, bus routes, and rubbish collection times
• House plans, spare wallpaper, a list of paints used in the property
• Spare parts for any appliances and their guarantee cards
• Your forwarding address

We attend to all settlement requirements electronically. The buyer pays, the title transfers, and any mortgage is discharged. Leave the keys with your real estate agent — the buyer is entitled to collect them once settlement is confirmed.

Once settlement is complete, remember to:

• Cancel your house insurance — keep it in place until settlement, then cancel once the property has transferred
• Update your contents insurance — advise your insurer of your new address

Congratulations — you've successfully sold your property. Time to celebrate and start your next adventure.