Deborah Barrett could not find a real estate agent during the Christmas holidays, so she decided not to wait until the new year, and go at it alone.
Her solo move hasn't been met with disappointment, with the home-owner playing busy tour guide to several interested parties who want a piece of her humble little house.
The artist painted a 'for sale' sign on canvas, and tied it to her fence, in front of her property on Eric Street in the quiet seaside village.
"Since I put the sign up, I've had about 17 groups of people through," she said.
"It's one of the original fibro fisherman's cottages in the area. It's quite cute with sandblasted windows and a lovely garden - that's the selling point."
The Bundeena resident of 30 years bought the property in 1996 for $135,000. She is hoping to sell for $850,000.
"The market has gone down quite substantially," she said. "I did have an early offer, but it was too low. I'm just going to go at my own pace and see what happens."
Director of Century 21 Bayside Bundeena, Wendy Hewitt, says while the market has slowed, inquiries remain consistent.
"Prices have dropped a little and people are looking hard at what they can get for their money," she said.
"Sales weren't happening at the end of last year because solicitors were on holidays but I never turn my phone off or stop answering queries."
She says while private sales are not a new trend, shunning agents comes with a warning.
"I've seen it all before. What normally happens is they give it a try after they've been frustrated when nothing happens, or when buyers try to buy too cheaply," she said.
"But these people are not skilled in negotiating and emotions can get involved because there is no separation between buyer and seller. They are flying blind."
She says an agency's electronic database is a major advantage to potential home-owners.
"Agents can also generally get a higher price," she said. "There's a lot involved in selling a house. It can end badly."
Greater property price drops and fewer auctions are predicted for Sydney in 2019, with buyer limitation resulting from tighter lending restrictions following the royal commission.
