Should I Sell My Property Privately or Use an Agent?
So, you're thinking about selling your home. You've probably been on many property websites, playing around with numbers, and the thought crossed your mind - couldn't I just handle this myself?
Skip the agent. Keep that commission. Just me, my phone, decent photos. Easy, right?
Well, here's the thing. For maybe one in ten sellers, doing it solo actually works out fine. But the rest? They find out pretty fast it's messier than expected, takes way more time, and comes with risks they didn't see coming. Let me walk you through what actually happens, not the romanticised version.
The Money Thing (Obviously)
Look, the appeal is obvious. When agents are charging 5-7% commission, who wouldn't at least consider going solo? On a R2 million place, you're looking at over R100 000 going to someone else.
If you're a confident person, comfortable negotiating, and you've got time on your hands - sure, selling privately might feel like the smart play. Full control. Direct contact with buyers. It could even be fun if you're into that sort of thing.
But (and it's a big but), this isn't really about how confident you are. It's about whether you've actually got the bandwidth to deal with everything that comes at you.
The Reality Check Nobody Talks About
Selling a house goes way beyond snapping some photos and throwing them online.
First off, pricing. Get it wrong in either direction and you're in trouble. Photography matters more than you think. Sorry, but your iPhone isn't going to cut it here. Then you're writing descriptions that need to sell the place without being dishonest, fielding calls and messages at all hours (many of them totally useless), scheduling viewings around your actual life, and following up with people who ghost you constantly.
That's all before anyone even makes an offer. After that? Negotiation. Legal procedures. Bond approvals. Things that just... stall out for no clear reason.
Can it be done? Sure. But if you're working full-time, have kids, or just value your evenings and weekends, this becomes a second job real quick. And not the kind you'd pick.
Where The "Savings" Quietly Disappear
Here's what trips people up.
You're not cutting the agent a cheque, true. But free? Not even close. Professional photos cost money. Premium listing spots on the big portals? Also, not free. Legal templates, maybe a lawyer when things get complicated, it adds up faster than you'd think.
Then there's the pricing mistake. Without proper market knowledge (comparisons aren't enough), sellers either price too high and sit there for months watching nothing happen, or they price too low and only realise they left money on the table when the neighbour sells for way more.
Every week your listing sits there, it gets colder. Buyers start wondering what's wrong with it. Next thing you know, all those "savings" from skipping the agent have leaked out somewhere else, just less obviously.
The Legal Procedures Gets Real
Quick legal reality check: an Offer to Purchase is a binding contract. Miss something, word it badly, misunderstand a clause and you're potentially in for serious headaches.
Some people download a template off the internet and hope it covers them. Property law doesn't work like that, unfortunately.
And emotionally? This one's tough. It's your home. Someone criticises your kitchen or offers R200 000 less than you think it's worth, it stings differently than it would if it were just business. Agents create space between you and that emotional hit. They keep things moving, keep them professional.
What Does An Agent Actually Do?
Fair question. It's way more than posting a listing and answering phone calls.
A good agent prices your place using real sales data from comparable properties, not guesswork or what you hope it's worth. They bring in someone who actually knows how to photograph a house properly. They market everywhere: Property websites, social media, their email lists, their buyer networks.
They screen buyers before you waste time. They handle viewings, collect feedback, and negotiate without letting emotions blow things up. When something inevitably gets stuck (bond delays, title deed issues, cold feet), they know how to fix it without killing the deal.
Basically, they absorb all the grinding, frustrating admin work so you don't have to. And usually, they end up protecting value you would've lost otherwise.
Yes, Commission Hurts
No sugarcoating it. 5% of a few million rand is painful to write off. But think of it as an investment rather than just a cost.
Most times, agents negotiate better final prices than sellers manage alone. They keep the momentum going. And they prevent deals from falling apart, which happens way more often with private sales than people realise.
You're not just paying for listing access. You're paying for expertise, negotiation skill, legal protection and for not having to deal with the emotional exhaustion of it all.
When Does Private Selling Actually Work?
Sometimes it genuinely makes sense. If you've already got a buyer (friend, family, whatever), going private is logical. Or if you know property law well, have done this before, and genuinely have time to manage everything, you might pull it off fine.
Even then, though? At a minimum, get a conveyancer involved. Get a proper valuation. This is too big a deal to wing it completely.
Working With Us At LWP
When we take on a sale, it's not about chasing commission. It's about protecting what's likely your biggest asset.
Our team lives and works here - Midrand, Kyalami, Blue Hills, the whole area. We know what buyers want, what makes properties move quickly, and what kills deals before they start. We respond fast, we're straight with our advice, and we'll chase things down when most people would've given up. We go beyond the sale!
Chances are pretty good we've already sold something near you.
Bottom Line
Going it alone looks cheaper on paper. Usually costs more in reality, not just financially, but in time, stress, and opportunities you miss.
Working with someone who's done this hundreds of times gives you structure, legal safety, and someone who can navigate the messy parts. You get a team, not just access to a website.
If you're weighing up options, talk to someone who's walked this road before. Happy to chat, no pressure whatsoever.
To connect with dependable and trustworthy real estate professionals renowned for their industry expertise, reach out to us below for additional information:
Telephone number: 011 468 5900
For enquiries - https://www.lwp.co.za/contact/
Our address:
72 Kyalami Boulevard
Kyalami Business Park
Kyalami, 1684
LWP Properties holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners
Regulatory Authority (PPRA).