Selling Your Own Home as a Real Estate Agent on the Sunshine Coast

Selling Your Own Home as a Real Estate Agent on the Sunshine Coast

(Yes, we take our own advice… even when it’s inconvenient)

There comes a moment in every real estate agent’s life when the universe says, “Your turn.”
Selling your own home.

Suddenly, all that confident advice – presentation matters, trust the process , becomes very personal. Because now it’s my house, my weekends, and my bank account on the line.

I’ve always said the work happens before a home hits the market. What I perhaps failed to mention is that this phase involves questioning every life choice you’ve ever made. The tidying, the deep cleaning of things I didn’t know were dirty, the gardening that suddenly feels very urgent, and the cupboard “editing” (decluttering sounds too confronting).

Geez… it’s a lot. And yes, it adds up.

I do think I have nice things. My personal taste includes family antiques, sentimental pieces… a surprising amount of sausage dog apparel, a young son who loves the Air Force and F-111s, and a teenage daughter who seems to own shares in Mecca. Doesn’t everyone love this? Apparently not.

And that’s the point. Selling isn’t about appealing to one person’s taste –  it’s about appealing to the masses. Buyers don’t want to see how we live; they want to imagine how they could live there.

I could have just decluttered and hoped buyers “saw the potential,” but hope isn’t a strategy. So, I’m taking my own advice and staging with Saltwater Styling. Jodie is a magician – I already know I’ll roll my eyes when she somehow makes my home look even better, and I still won’t understand how she does it. But it works. Staging removes distractions, elevates presentation and helps buyers emotionally connect – and yes, it can lift the final price.

And no, I don’t get advertising cheaper just because I work in real estate. Marketing on platforms like REA and Domain is crucial – that’s where buyers are, and it’s not the place to cut corners.

Now I’m bracing for the feedback:
“The room feels small.”
“I wish the kitchen had a walk-in pantry.”

That’s okay. Every home has limitations – even mine. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s presenting the home in its best light so the right buyers focus on what matters.

I’m lucky to have the experienced team at Fletcher Riley supporting me, helping me, and keeping me focused through the process.

So here I am, slightly tired, marginally poorer, but completely convinced once again that preparation, styling, and strong marketing are worth it. Because when buyers walk into a home that feels calm, considered, and beautifully presented, they don’t just see a house – they see themselves living there.

And that’s when the magic (and the offers) happen ✨

Wish me luck! 🍀