How to list a property on Trade Me when selling privately

Before you jump into the listing process, gather these details so you can breeze through the forms in one go.

Note: It’s important to engage a property lawyer in the early stages when listing your property privately - more on that to come.

Here are some of the key property details you’ll need to add to your listing:

Read our tips on how to choose a method of sale and our 8 tips to make your open home a success.

You don’t need to be a novelist; you just need to be helpful.

• Think like a search engine: Use terms people actually type in, like "garage," "ensuite," "modern kitchen," or "fully fenced."
• Keep it scannable: Most buyers are looking at Trade Me on their phones and just skim over the description. Use bullet points for features and keep paragraphs short.
• Highlight the "hidden" perks: Tell them about the new heat pump, the thick insulation, the friendly neighbours, or how close the best coffee shop is.

Need a hand with the writing?

If you're stuck for words, you can use AI to help draft or review your description. Try a prompt like this:

"Write a Trade Me Property listing for my [Number of bedrooms] home in [Suburb]. It’s got a [Feature 1] and [Feature 2]. Keep the tone direct and casual. Use bullet points for the main features."

Visual elements are the heavy lifters of your listing. Our data shows that more photos usually lead to more people adding your home to their Watchlist. To add to this, our heatmaps show that people spend a lot of time looking at images (and a lot less time reading the descriptions) - so when it comes to selling your house, a picture really does paint a thousand words.

• Quality is king: High-resolution, bright photos are a must. Buyers scroll through every single image, so make sure there are no "dud" shots at the end.
• The logical flow: Start with a "hero" shot of the exterior, move through the main living areas and bedrooms, and finish with the garden or local lifestyle shots (like a nearby park or beach).
• Sell the dream: If your house has a great vibe at twilight or a sun-drenched deck, capture that. It helps buyers imagine their life there.

• Image dimensions: At least 500px on any one side
• File size: Up to 5MB
• File type: PNG, JPG, BMP, or GIF

Pro tip: While modern phones are great, a professional property photographer is a worthy investment. They know how to make rooms look spacious and bright, which can make a huge difference to your final sale price. 

Read our 10 tips for taking great photos that will help sell the house.

Trade Me offer three ways to list your home. Pricing is based on your property’s Rateable Value (RV), which keeps things fair. You can check the specific costs for your RV on our property fees page.

• Bronze: The essential package to get you live on NZ’s biggest property site.
• Silver: Makes your listing stand out with a larger photo in search results and keeps you positioned above all Bronze listings.
• Gold: Our premium option. You get the Silver perks plus a bold yellow background and a guaranteed spot in the top-of-page carousel for your first seven days. Trade Me stats suggest these listings get 36% more views than Bronze. 

The best part? It’s a one-off fee. If you don't sell the first time, you can relist for free*.

Congratulations, your listing is live! Now, don't just sit back and wait.

• Spread the word: Share your Trade Me link on social media. Ask your friends and whānau to give it a share, word of mouth is powerful.
• The 'For Sale' sign: If you have a sign out front, include your Trade Me listing number (or even better, add a QR code). It makes it easy for people driving by to find the full details and photos instantly. You’ll find this ID number at the bottom of your live listing.

While you’re taking charge of the marketing and viewings, the legal side of selling a house is best left to the experts. We recommend engaging a property lawyer or conveyancer before you’ve hit the 'List' button. 

A property lawyer will:

• Review the Title: They can check your Record of Title for any interests or issues that might complicate a sale.
• Draft the agreement: They will help you prepare the Sale and Purchase Agreement, ensuring any specific conditions (like a settlement date that suits you) are correctly worded.
• Handle the paperwork: Selling involves a fair amount of legal "verbiage", having a pro handle this ensures everything is clear and accurate.
• Peace of mind: They ensure the transfer of ownership and the movement of funds happen securely on settlement day.

Read our guide on conveyancing fees in NZ.

Taking the lead on your own sale is a big move, but with the right prep, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to move on to your next chapter. By focusing on clear info and great photos, you’re already ahead of the pack. Good luck with the sale!

How much does it cost to list my property?

Listing fees are based on your property's RV. You can find the exact pricing for your bracket on our property fees page.

How long does my listing stay active?

You can select the duration of your listing (between 21 and 56 days).

Can I change my photos after the listing is live?

Yes, you can change the order, delete or add photos after your listing is live. Your listing can include up to 50 photos. 

Do I need a lawyer to sell my own home?

While you can do the marketing yourself, you will need a lawyer or conveyancer to handle the legal transfer of the property and the discharge of any mortgage.

*Special terms apply, you can find these on our listing fees page.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and isn't legal, financial, or professional real estate advice. Every sale is unique, so we strongly recommend engaging a property lawyer early. While we're here to help you list, Trade Me doesn't guarantee a specific sale price or outcome.