Do I have to tell buyers I'm the owner?

No. You don't have to announce that you're the owner, and plenty of our sellers don't. The one rule is that you never misrepresent yourself: if a buyer asks whether you're the owner or an agent, answer honestly.

Why the ad shows our name, not yours

Portal rules require every listing to show the licensed agency, so your ad carries PropertyNow's name and 1300 number and never says "private sale". Buyers call the number, enter your 4-digit code and hear your details, or email through the listing and the enquiry is forwarded to you. See How are enquiries handled? and Why is there a 1300 number on my ad?. So the first contact a buyer has is with you, and most simply assume you're the person showing the property.

At the inspection

• You can run the inspection like any agent would: greet people, let them look, answer questions about the property. There's no need to open with "I'm the owner".
• If someone asks, say so plainly: "Yes, I'm the owner. We're selling privately through PropertyNow, who handle the advertising." Buyers generally respond well; there's no agent script and no pressure.
• Don't claim to be an agent, imply you're licensed, or invent an agency you work for. You aren't acting as an agent, and saying otherwise could mislead a buyer.
• Answer questions about the property honestly and fully. You're the best source there is, and disclosure rules in every state punish misleading answers, not candid ones.
• Have the contract or disclosure documents your state requires ready, or know where they are. See Do I need a contract of sale before listing?.
• Keep a sign-in sheet so you can follow up. The printable one is in your account under Forms & Downloads.

Offers and negotiation

When an offer comes, you negotiate as the owner and your conveyancer or solicitor handles the paperwork. Buyers often prefer dealing with the person who can actually say yes. If you'd like a second opinion on an offer or on how an inspection went, our licensed team is a call away.

Updated on: 04/10/2026