Selling your home is said to be one of the most traumatic things you’ll encounter in your lifetime, but there are plenty of things you can do to ease the stress and smooth the way to a happy ending.
Make Sure the Finances Stack Up
The first step is to make sure it makes financial sense – you need to know not just what your house is worth but all the costs involved in completing the transaction.
Do you have a mortgage – will you incur fees from your lender by settling your mortgage debt early?
You need to know what your house is worth, and thanks to the internet it’s not hard to get a pretty accurate valuation. There are plenty of online sites that will be advertising properties in your area – look for those of a similar size and specification.
Professional fees – do some research to get a view on what estate agents will charge based on the value of your property and equally the cost of the legal work and other disbursements involved in the handling of the sale by a licensed conveyancer or solicitor.
Now you know the financial implications of selling your home – if you’re ready to start the process, here are some key things you need to do.
Get Your House Ready
If you want to sell your home quickly and for the best price, make sure the interior and exterior look their best. Windows and roofs should be in good repair and gardens well maintained.
You will need an Energy Rating Certificate (EPC), or at least have applied for one before you can sell your home.
Ready to Sell – Choose an Estate Agent
Choose a traditional estate agent or an online agent – online agents are usually cheaper, but it’s important to understand the differences. Get valuations from at least three agents with a track record of selling your type of property.
Choosing a Conveyancer
Solicitors and conveyancers will handle all the paperwork associated with the sale and carry out searches such as Land Registry searches, prepare the contract and take care of all monetary aspects of the transaction.
Make sure you have several conveyancing quotes to make a proper evaluation of costs and quality – you can find more about conveyancing fees by visiting Sam Conveyancing.
Final Steps
Having accepted an offer, your conveyancer will draft and exchange contracts and a date for completion will be set. Usually, the whole process takes between seven and ten weeks. On completion day, funds are transferred to the conveyancer, any mortgages are settled and you move out.