Moving house can be stressful and if you’re selling, it may be even more so. But there are lots of ways you can help the process run more smoothly and complete more quickly.
So, if you’re wondering how to sell a property – without losing your mind – check out these five essential tips.
1. Pin down your plans in advance
Before putting your house up for sale, consider your own next move. Do you want to buy a new property and move straight from one to the next? Does it suit your circumstances to move into rented accommodation in between, perhaps because you’re relocating? Or are you moving into somebody else’s home, perhaps with a partner or family?
Your plan could affect the marketing strategy of your home, as well as the price you’re willing to accept. Your intentions needn’t be set in stone at this stage, but it’s helpful to have an idea of where you’ll be heading once you hand over the keys to your property.
2. Choose a good estate agent
A good estate agent will keep the sales process moving, and communications flowing throughout the sale – as well as get you the best price possible for your home. A poor estate agent, on the other hand, could hamper your sale from the very beginning.
Choose an experienced, local estate agent who has a good understanding of the current property market in your area and can demonstrate previous success selling properties like yours.
3. Get your documents in order
Selling involves a lot of paperwork: from personal documents like passports and payslips, to the energy performance certificate (EPC), gas safety certificate and documents relating to work you’ve had done, such as an extension or new windows.
Don’t wait until your mortgage broker, solicitor or estate agent requests the paperwork to dig it out. Collect everything you might need early in the process, so you can access it swiftly later on.
4. Instruct a solicitor early
It’s important to do your research when it comes to solicitors – just like estate agents, the solicitor you choose to handle the conveyancing can mean the difference between a stressful or seamless sale. Shop around and compare quotes, and don’t forget to read reviews.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you have already accepted an offer to start your research. Begin as soon as you decide to sell your property, so you are ready to instruct a solicitor and put the process in motion as soon as you need to.
5. Wise up on the costs involved
Moving house is expensive, with lots of different costs to consider. As a seller, you’ll need to pay estate agent fees, conveyancing costs and probably removals, as well as extras such as an EPC if needed. If you’re buying another property, you’ll also have stamp duty, search fees, surveys and maybe mortgage arrangement costs to add to the list.
It’s a good idea to brush up on all the costs early on in the process, so you can make sure you have the funds available when they are needed. Consider adding a 10-15% contingency to your budget too, to account for anything extra that might crop up.
Contact the Carter & May team to find out how they can help you achieve a smooth sale