We care about the service we provide, and we enjoy helping our sellers, so we know how overwhelming it can be to sell your home. It’s our aim to help you sell your property quickly and as stress-free as possible, so you can start the next chapter of your life.

Selling your home does not need to be a complex matter, but there are important things you need to consider before you put your house on the market. It would be impossible for us to provide you with a guide covering every factor or potential pitfall, so we have shared the most common steps. If you have any questions, then please contact us.

1. Check your finances

You will need an idea of how much your house is worth before you sell your home, so you know much money will be left after the mortgage is paid off. Property valuations are only an estimate, you won’t know how much someone will pay for your home until an offer is made. Do your research by looking at the local market and decide on a price you are happy with.

You will need to factor in fees, such as the estate agent’s, stamp duty and conveyancing. There could be costs involving property improvements to maximise your sale value. Depending on your mortgage, moving house could subject you to early repayment charges. If you need to check your mortgage, we can recommend several local brokers.

2. Prepare your home

There are lots of ways to make your property more appealing for sale. You could sell your home quicker and possibly at a higher value if you “stage” your rooms well. Get rid of any excess clutter and keep your home tidy and clean. Give tired looking walls a fresh coat of paint, fix any cracks, renew mouldy bathroom seals, and remove any bad odours.

Your “kerb appeal” is important, as people will view your home from the outside and make a choice before booking an appointment. Tidy up outdoor spaces by weeding your front garden and driveway. Give worn out windowsills a fresh lick of paint and keep windows clean. Check your roofline to ensure your gutters are not full of debris and tiles are in place.

3. Market your home

Once you have chosen an estate agent to sell your home, they will want to prepare the property marketing. If you have staged your home in the right way, your agent will arrange for professional photographs to be taken, which will show your home at its best. Most buyers want to see a floorplan, so it is worth including this. Your agent will then list your property online to maximise your reach.

4. Choose a conveyancer

Before you receive an offer, it is a good idea to choose a conveyancing solicitor, so you’re ready when an offer is made. Before you instruct a conveyancer, always ask your agent their opinion of your shortlisted solicitors, as they’ll know who’s proactive and those who are less responsive.

Working alongside a proactive solicitor can make your selling experience far less stressful. We spend many hours chasing solicitors for updates, so it always makes a huge difference when we work with a conveyancer who is speedy and responsive. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like our recommendations for proactive conveyancers and solicitors.

5. Buy or rent

If you sell your home quickly, and you haven’t found another property, then you might need a short-term rental home. Your potential buyer might be chain-free and want to move quickly. If you haven’t found your next property and you sell your home, there are many local agents who can help. We can also help you find rental accommodation. Read our buyer’s guide.

6. Accept an offer

Congratulations, you’ve received an offer! Remember, your estate agent is legally obliged to pass all offers to you, so if you decide you’re not happy with the offer, you can wait for a better one or reject it outright. If you receive an offer and you are happy, you will need to formally accept this, but it is not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged.

7. The legal process

Once you have formally accepted an offer, you will need to instruct your solicitor. As we have already mentioned, choosing the right solicitor is as important as choosing the right estate agent for selling your property. It can take several weeks to get to the point of exchanging contracts, and this is when both you and the buyer will be legally committed.

After you have exchanged contracts, if you pull out of the sale, there’s a risk you could be sued. You will complete your sale once the property has changed ownership and you hand over the keys. On the day of completion, the money and deeds will be transferred between your solicitor and your buyer’s solicitor.

For more information on the sales process or if you have any queries, please get in touch!