A Canterbury lifestyle property from above
Our sales process

Seven steps
to sold.

Every home is different. Every situation is unique. And we treat it that way. This is a long read, by design — because the work between "listing" and "settlement" is where the real difference lives, and it's worth understanding before you choose an agent.

Resource
A long read · 8 min
The agenté way
Why this process

Our approach is the opposite of cookie-cutter.

Selling your home helps secure your future. So it's never just a transaction for us — and we go the extra mile to get great results.

Below is the seven-step process we walk every client through. It's the same shape every time, but the specifics change for every property. We tell you what's worth doing, what's worth skipping, and what to expect at each stage — clearly, honestly, and without the jargon.

It's also a useful read even if you're not selling with us. Knowing how a good sales process should run is the best protection against a bad one.

01 An open-plan kitchen and dining space
Step 01 · The first meeting

Initial
appraisal meeting.

Every great result starts with a good conversation.

We visit your property, take the time to understand what makes it special, and talk honestly about what you're hoping to achieve. This isn't a sales pitch — it's a conversation about your situation, your home, and what a great outcome looks like for you.

  • We walk the property with you — including the bits you wish nobody could see
  • We listen to the why: timing, family circumstances, what's next
  • We share initial impressions and rough thinking on price & method
  • You're not committing to anything. We're not asking you to.
Step 02 · The numbers

Your market
assessment.

This is where we lay everything out — clearly and honestly.

After the visit, we go away and put together a thorough written market assessment. Comparable recent sales, current market conditions, the strengths and weaknesses of your property, and our honest recommendations on what to do (and what to skip) before listing.

  • Probable value range based on real recent sales — not hopeful guesses
  • What's working in your home's favour, and what might hold price back
  • Recommended improvements with realistic costs & expected returns
  • Sales method recommendation — auction, deadline, priced over, or negotiation
02 A market assessment document
03 A home being prepared for sale
Step 03 · The work

Pre-sale
preparation.

This is often where the magic happens.

Now it's time to prepare your home to sell at its best. We can organise any specialist or technical reports / LIM / Building Report if required. Then we tackle the presentation. Staging? Touch ups? New carpet? Landscaping? No worries. We have a fantastic team of contractors who can step in and make those presentation and tidy up jobs a breeze.

  • Trusted network of quality, affordable contractors
  • Professional photography & video for the listing
  • Full marketing package — Trade Me Platinum, OneRoof Plus, international portals
Step 04 · Going live

On the
market.

Open homes, careful listening, hard negotiation when the time comes.

Once your home goes live, the real work begins. We host the open homes, listen to what buyers are actually saying (not just what they politely say to your face), and keep you updated every step of the way. When offers come in, we negotiate from a position of knowledge — because we've done the homework.

  • Open homes hosted by your dedicated agenté agent
  • Weekly written updates on viewings, feedback, and market response
  • Honest advice on every offer — including the ones we recommend declining
  • Hard negotiation on price, conditions, and timing
04 An open home in progress
05 Documentation being reviewed
Step 05 · After acceptance

Under
offer.

A full information pack helps buyers feel confident and move forward quickly.

The faster a buyer's conditions are satisfied, the lower the risk something goes wrong. So when we accept an offer, we hand the buyer a comprehensive information pack — building report, LIM, title, body corporate documents where applicable. The more buyers know, the faster they go unconditional.

  • Property Documents & Information already prepared and shared
  • We chase the buyer's lawyer, broker, and insurer to keep things moving
  • Frequent updates from us — you're never wondering what's going on
Step 06 · Unconditional

Sold.

Once conditions are met, your buyer goes unconditional and pays their deposit.

This is the moment we've been working toward. The buyer's finance, building report, LIM and any other conditions are signed off. The deposit lands (typically 10% of the purchase price). Take a moment. That's a big deal — your home is sold, and there's a settlement date in the calendar.

  • Building report, finance, LIM, Insurance, etc
  • Buyer goes unconditional and deposit is paid into trust
  • Settlement date confirmed (usually 4–6 weeks later)
  • We toast you. Quietly. With a coffee.
06 The agenté team working together
07 Keys being handed over
Step 07 · Handover

Settlement.

Final inspection, chattels and condition match, funds released.

Settlement day. We arrange the final inspection with your buyers — they walk through to confirm the property is in the same condition it was at sale, and that all the agreed chattels are still there. Once it's signed off, the remaining funds are released through your lawyer, and a new chapter begins.

  • Final inspection coordinated with the buyer
  • Chattels and condition confirmed against the sale agreement
  • Funds released, ownership transfers, the keys are handed over.
  • We stay in touch — you might need to sell again one day, and we'd like to be the call you make
Ready when you are

That's seven steps.
One shared standard.

Same process, same level of care, whether you're selling a $500k home in Westport or a $4m one in Fendalton. The appraisal is free — and there's never any pressure to list.