You don’t always need to sell before you buy. The right approach depends on your finances, the market and how much risk and uncertainty you are comfortable carrying.If you can purchase your next home without relying on the sale of your current property, buying first can give you more time and flexibility. However, if you need the proceeds from your current home to complete the purchase, selling first is generally the safer and more straightforward option.Buying subject to the sale of your existing home is another possibility, but it can make your offer less attractive when competing with buyers who are not relying on another property selling. The seller may also require conditions that protect them if another stronger offer comes along.There are personal considerations too. Families with children or pets, people with specific housing requirements, or anyone without suitable temporary accommodation may find buying first considerably easier.Before deciding, look at the whole transaction, your likely selling price, borrowing capacity, settlement dates, current market conditions and what happens if either property takes longer than expected.There isn’t one right order for everyone. The goal is to structure the sale and purchase so you are not put under unnecessary financial or time pressure.

Choosing the right real estate agent isn't simply about choosing the person who suggests the highest selling price or offers the lowest commission.Look at their experience, local market knowledge, communication style, marketing strategy and how they intend to negotiate on your behalf. Ask how they arrived at their recommended price, how your property will be presented to buyers and what they will do if the initial strategy isn't producing the expected response.You should also understand who will actually manage your sale. Will you deal directly with the agent you appointed, or will much of the communication, buyer follow-up and negotiation be handed to other members of the team?Most importantly, choose an agent whose advice makes sense to you and who is prepared to explain the reasoning behind their recommendations rather than simply telling you what they think you want to hear.If you'd like to understand how I approach pricing, marketing, communication and negotiation, you can read Selling with Jodie Brooks

Getting your home ready for sale is about presenting it so buyers can immediately see its appeal and potential. That usually starts with decluttering, cleaning, completing necessary maintenance and repairs, and making the home feel light, spacious and well cared for.You do not necessarily need to renovate before selling. Sometimes relatively inexpensive changes to paint, lighting, gardens, flooring or presentation can have more impact than undertaking a major renovation.Look at the property through a buyer's eyes. What will they notice when they arrive? Are there maintenance issues that could make them question the condition of the home? Are rooms cluttered or difficult to understand? Could existing furniture be rearranged or removed to improve the sense of space?The aim isn't to make the property perfect. It's to identify the things most likely to influence buyer perception and concentrate your time and money there.For a practical step-by-step approach, including what to prioritise and what may not be worth doing, see my: Preparing Your Home for Sale guide

There is no fixed timeframe for selling a home. Some properties attract a suitable buyer within days, while others may take several weeks or longer depending on the property, price, location and current buyer demand.Pricing is one of the biggest influences on how quickly a property sells. Buyers compare your home with other properties available at the same time, so the asking price needs to make sense in the current market.Presentation and marketing also matter. Professional photography, strong online exposure and making the property readily available for inspections can significantly affect buyer interest.I don't believe in limiting a property to one open home a week. Buyers have different work and family commitments, so providing multiple opportunities to inspect can help ensure genuine buyers aren't missed.The aim isn't simply to sell as quickly as possible. It's to create enough buyer interest and competition to achieve the best possible outcome within a reasonable timeframe.

Selling a home involves several costs, and the total will depend on your property, the marketing campaign you choose and the professional services required.Typical selling costs include:Marketing and advertising — This may include professional photography, floor plans, video, online property advertising, signage and other promotional material. The amount will depend on the marketing strategy chosen for your property.Agent commission — Real estate commission in Queensland is negotiable and agreed between the seller and agent when the agent is appointed. Rather than comparing commission alone, consider the overall service, marketing strategy and negotiation approach being provided.Legal and conveyancing costs — Your solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal aspects of the transaction and settlement. Their fees will vary depending on the property and circumstances.Seller disclosure documentation — Queensland sellers are generally required to provide a completed Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement and prescribed documents to the buyer before the buyer signs the contract. Your solicitor or conveyancer can advise you about the documents required for your property.ATO clearance certificate — Australian resident property sellers should obtain an ATO clearance certificate before settlement to prevent foreign resident capital gains withholding being deducted. There is no fee to apply for the certificate.Preparing and presenting the property — Depending on the home, you may choose to spend money on cleaning, maintenance, gardening, styling or other improvements before selling. This is where costs can vary considerably, and spending more doesn't automatically mean achieving a higher sale price.The best approach is to work out the likely selling costs before the property goes to market, so you understand what you are spending, why you are spending it and your likely net proceeds from the sale.

Downsizing can be a big decision, particularly if you have lived in your home for many years. The best place to start is by thinking about what you want your next stage of life to look like, rather than simply looking for a smaller property.Consider where you want to live, how much space you genuinely need, whether you want a house, townhouse, apartment or retirement community, and how important things such as stairs, gardens, maintenance, transport, shops and medical services may be in the future.Then look realistically at your finances. Understanding the likely selling price of your current home, your selling costs and what suitable replacement properties are likely to cost will help you determine what options are available.Decluttering can also be one of the biggest parts of downsizing. Start early and work through the home gradually rather than trying to make years of decisions immediately before moving.You should also obtain appropriate financial advice about how selling or buying may affect your individual circumstances, including superannuation, pensions or other entitlements.Downsizing doesn't necessarily mean compromising. Done well, it can mean having a home that better suits the way you want to live now and in the future: The Essential Guide to Downsizing