Thinking about selling your property? We understand you have questions. Here’s everything you need to know before putting your home on the market.
How long will it take to sell my property?
If your agent has provided you with realistic valuation advice and has first-class advertising and marketing to an extensive database of buyers, you should be in a position to accept an offer of asking price or more in 4 weeks or less.
Currently, there are more buyers than there are properties for sale.
Once you have accepted an offer your solicitor is responsible for the progression of your sale to a successful completion. Therefore, it is important to choose your solicitor carefully.
Sales progression post Covid-19 is generally taking longer than average. We can advise you on which solicitors are achieving the quickest completions of between 8-10 weeks. But it can be much longer, and the longer it takes, the more risk the sale has to fall through.
How much will I pay my estate agent?
Fees vary considerably and most agents are willing to negotiate a fair price for you and themselves. But remember if it sounds too good to be true it usually is, and the cheapest agents are usually the most expensive because they don’t achieve the best prices.
What paperwork do I need?
You’ll need your ID documents, first and foremost. Your title deeds are likely to be electronic these days.
If you have a leasehold property, you’ll need a copy of your lease. In this circumstance, or if you own a share of the freehold, you’ll need to request a management pack. Asking for this as soon as you’ve thought about selling is a top tip. Getting hold of these can delay whole chains, so it’s well worth doing early on.
Your solicitor, or conveyancer, will provide you with the property information form and the fittings & contents form. Get these filled out early on as well. That way, if there are any areas you need to research, you’ve got plenty of time and don’t end up causing delays later on.
The EPC is another important document, as we’ve already mentioned. Once the energy assessor has visited, the EPC gets uploaded to epcregister.com, so you don’t need a paper copy.
You might need warranty documents if your property is less than ten years old. You may also have to get indemnity insurance. This is often required for something called ‘chancel repair liability’ and costs about £10. Your solicitor will advise on this, however.
Important questions to ask your estate agent
When choosing an estate agent to sell your property, consider asking these crucial questions:
- How can I trust your valuation? A reputable agent should be able to back up their valuation with comparable properties and market data.
- Are there any circumstances where I pay a fee if you do not negotiate a sale? Understanding the fee structure and any potential costs upfront is essential.
- Why should I choose you? Your agent should clearly articulate what sets them apart from competitors and how they’ll maximize your property’s value.
These are considered the three best questions to ask when selecting an agent to sell your home.
Need more advice about selling your property? Contact our experienced team today for a no-obligation consultation.
