Treat this timeline as a starting point. A property with consent issues, tenants, a body corporate, shared ownership or a linked purchase may need more time and expert advice.
The stages can overlap, but their order matters. Property records and legal questions should be raised before advertising. Finance and next-home timing should be tested before settlement dates are promised. A written plan helps the agent, lawyer, lender and household work from the same information.
Keep copies of approved marketing, buyer feedback and signed documents. When something changes, update the plan and check which dates, costs or agreements are affected.
Plan your dates
Build a checklist for your target launch date.
Tell us about your property and move. We will give each preparation job a place in your timeline.
Build my checklistClarify the result you need
Write down why you are selling, when you need the proceeds and what has to happen next. If another purchase depends on the sale, compare selling first, lining up both settlements and buying first. Confirm your likely borrowing limit and the minimum sale result your move needs before committing to dates.
Compare move scenariosGather the property record
Bring together the title, council records, consents, warranties, invoices and information about known work or issues. Tauranga City Council says a LIM can help a seller disclose important property information.
Current natural-hazard maps may contain information newer than an older property record. Compare the records with the home and raise gaps with your lawyer before marketing.
Compare agents and proposals
Compare the evidence behind each appraisal, the communication plan, the proposed sale method and every cost. Ask who will attend viewings, manage buyer follow-up, report feedback and negotiate offers.
Check the individual is licensed on the Real Estate Authority public register before you appoint them.
Search the Real Estate Authority public register.
Open the agent comparison worksheetReview the agency agreement
The agreement is a legally binding contract with the agency. You must receive the approved agency agreement guide before signing.
Read the term, cancellation rules, commission estimate, marketing expenses and any risk of paying more than one commission.
Ask about anything that is unclear and get legal advice before you sign.
Read the Real Estate Authority's agency agreement guidance.
Understand how agent commission worksPrepare for the likely buyer
Separate necessary maintenance and disclosure work from optional presentation changes.
Agree what will be repaired, cleaned, decluttered or left alone.
Confirm access, pets, tenants and where household members will be during photography and viewings. Prepare chattels, smart-home devices and property instructions while there is time to test them.
Work through property documents and disclosureApprove the campaign
Confirm the sale method, launch date, photos, property details, chattels, viewing times, marketing cost and how often your agent will report back.
Read and approve the advertising before it goes live. Agree which campaign results you will receive and what might change if buyer interest is weak.
Assess offers as complete packages
Price is only one part of an offer. Have your lawyer check the conditions, deposit, settlement date and any special terms before you sign.
Compare the full offers in writing and ask how each one affects your next move.
Once an agreement becomes unconditional, neither party can cancel it unless the agreement allows for cancellation, so take legal advice before signing.
Read Settled.govt.nz's guidance on sale and purchase agreements.
Prepare for settlement and handover
Coordinate your lawyer, lender, movers, utilities, insurance and the next property. Keep the home in the agreed condition and be ready for the buyer's pre-settlement inspection.
Complete the required handover steps and confirm when keys can be released rather than relying on the expected settlement time.
Before choosing the launch date
Make the timing fit the rest of your move.
If the sale funds another purchase, compare the cash and coordination questions before you promise dates to either side.
Compare sale and purchase timingFrequently asked questions
How long should I allow to prepare a Tauranga home for sale?
Allow enough time to gather council and title records, compare agent proposals, resolve important property issues and prepare the home. Four to six weeks is a useful planning window for many sellers, but the property and your circumstances determine the real timing.
Do I need a LIM before selling?
A seller is not always required to order a LIM, but it can help disclose council-held information. Ask your lawyer and agent what records buyers are likely to expect for your property.
When should I talk to my lawyer?
Talk to a property lawyer before signing an agency agreement or sale and purchase agreement, especially where title, ownership, finance, consent or disclosure questions exist.
What should I do first if I am also buying?
Confirm likely sale proceeds, borrowing limits and whether you need to sell first. Then compare sell-first, aligned-settlement and buy-first routes before agreeing dates.
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Sources
These official sources were reviewed on 14 August 2026.