Step 1: Accurate Valuation
It is important to get a correct valuation for your property, as your aim should be to sell your property at the best possible price in the shortest possible time with the least amount of inconvenience. Most people get two or three valuations of their property which can vary substantially, and the highest is not necessarily correct, ask the agent to show you recent comparable properties they have sold in the area and ensure they have accurate local knowledge.
Step 2: Selecting an Estate Agent
There are now many different types of estate agency available to sellers , the traditional High Street estate agent, online only agencies, hybrid companies, pay up front fees and no commission later, companies that advertise that they even ‘ sell your house for free ‘ !!
When choosing an estate agent consider their local knowledge and presence, are they based in your town, have they sold many properties in your area? Will they conduct viewings, do they have a local data base of buyers, will they provide quality photographs and floorplans, what is their internet presence, what other marketing will your property receive. Many companies can sell your house, but will they achieve the best price?
Step 3: Presenting your property
First impressions count, making the presentation of your property critical to a successful sale. On the next page we shall outline 10 tips for showing your home to it’s best potential. Consider small DIY jobs that you have been meaning to get done, add a fresh coat of paint. The front appearance of the property is very important so tidy the garden and make sure it shows to its best potential.
Step 4: Marketing and Viewing
To find your perfect buyer you need to give your property maximum exposure across a wide range of media. When you instruct Raine and Co to sell your property you will automatically benefit from exposure on all of the key property portals and our award-winning web site. Full colour property details and regular email and SMS to potential purchasers. We are also part of a network of over 500 agents dealing with relocation throughout the United Kingdom.
Step 5: Receiving an offer
As soon as an offer is received, we will notify you and detail any special conditions, we will check the buyer’s ability to proceed before you decide whether to accept the offer. It is important to know if there is a long chain in the sale, has the buyer been approved for a mortgage, do they have sufficient deposit, are their buyers in a position to proceed. It is here that high street agents really come into their own to avoid you wasting a lot of time agreeing sales to people who can not go through with a purchase.
Step 6: Offer agreed
Once you accept an offer we will confirm the agreed price in writing and request solicitors from both parties, we prepare and send out sales memorandum to all concerned.
The buyer, if needing a mortgage will arrange to have a valuation carried out on your property and may arrange a separate building survey. We will liaise with the solicitors and brokers throughout the selling process and help and give advice through the whole process.
Step 7: Exchange of contracts
Once both solicitors have completed their enquiries and the finances for the purchase are in place contracts for the sale are signed by both sides and can then be exchanged, the buyer’s solicitor will transfer the deposit to your solicitor, it is only at this stage the sale is confirmed and neither party can back out. The completion or moving date is then set by mutual agreement and a removals company should be arranged at this time, it is important that the property be fully cleared for the new owners.
Step 8: Completion /moving day
Completion occurs when the residual monies are transferred from the buyer’s solicitor to your solicitor, once cleared in their account they will instruct us to release keys to the purchasers. You need to take meter readings on this day for your utilities, check you have informed necessary organisations of your new address and maybe put a postal redirection in place.
Congratulations, your property is now sold!
