Preparing your property
There are many reasons for selling a property including moving for a new job, downsizing, divorce or just time for a change.
We will guide you step by step through the process and ensure you are fully prepared.
We will ask you to contact your solicitor to prepare the initial paperwork in advance.
The next step is contacting your mortgage company to check all the relevant information and potential associated costs.
The preparation of the house itself is extremely important. The presentation for sale is quite different from how you may present the property as your own home.
First impressions can set the tone for the rest of the viewing. We consider this impression from the moment a client arrives at the doors. We describe this as ‘kerb appeal’. Small suggestions may include:
- A window clean
- A fresh coat of paint on the front door
- A tidy front garden
- Repairing the front gate that has been bothering you for months
You need to present the property as an exciting and inviting property where the buyer can see how they can use the space.
Keep clutter to a minimum and make the property an inviting temperature, have the heating on if it’s a cold day or windows open during the hotter days.
Whilst you may adore your pets, you may need to consider removing the dog's bed and ensuring throw and covers are washed to reduce an animal odour.
The viewings themselves will be conducted by a member of the team and we will always arrive early to check the property and open any curtains or windows and ensure everything looks its best.
The most crucial part of the transaction is during the conveyancing.
Instructing a good solicitor is worth its weight in gold and we are very happy to provide recommendations. We always encourage you to obtain two to three quotes before making your decision. After you have chosen your solicitor, it is important to share timescales and all relevant information at an early stage in the process. Your solicitor will provide you with some property questionnaires to complete and the prompt completion of these is directly connected to when your solicitor can start their work with your buyers solicitor.
The two solicitors then work mainly between themselves whilst we as your agent will keep you fully informed up until the exchange of contracts which is the last stage of the legal process, after which, a buyer is unable to withdraw from the sale without losing their deposit and incurring costs. The completion date is set at the point of exchange and usually discussed in the weeks leading up to exchange. A couple of weeks is usually agreed to allow both sides to book removals and arrange their move.
Important points to remember for your move:
- Instruct a reputable removal firm (recommendations available) research this as soon as you have an idea of when you may be moving. It is important to not secure your removal company and pay any deposits until you have exchanged contacts.
- Advise the local council of your moving date.
- Set up your post to be redirected by Royal Mail move.
- Meter Readings to be taken on your moving day.
- It is always useful to advise your agent of any instructions about the house that may be useful to the new owners. Things like the day of the week the bins are connected, any instruction manuals for the heating and alarm instructions/service due date.