How to sell your property

Selling your property can be lengthy and stressful task.  We have put together a step by step guide to help you through the selling process.

 

1.  Do your research

Before you begin, it is really worth doing a bit of research yourself before contacting agents.  What are properties similar to yours selling for in your area?  Do you have an idea of what your property is worth?  Felicity J Lord estate agents have some tools to help you.  Simply:

  1. Go to our property search;
  2. Enter your postcode;
  3. Select a good radius to view properties;
  4. Select your property type and number of bedrooms;
  5. Select the tick box ‘Include properties sold STC;
  6. Click search.

If you then select map view on the properties returned from your search, you can select to view sold prices for that area.  Take a look – it may surprise you! 

You can select to see:

  • Properties sold by other agents.  
  • Properties sold by Felicity J Lord.  

It can also be helpful to see what demand there is for a property like yours.  We have some tools to help:

  1. Our demand calculator – this tool lets you find out how many active buyers are looking for a property just like yours and how many of them are looking in your area. 
  2. Our online valuation tool -  this gives you an immediate, up to date assessment of the current estimated value of your property.  

 

2.  Request an up to date valuation

The next step is to request an up to date property valuation.  It is particularly useful to make sure that you get at least two or three valuations.  This gives you a good overview of the value that can be achieved of your property. 

At Felicity J Lord, our aim is to acheive the best possible price for your property.  Our highly trained teams are local experts and combined with our knowledge of the property markets we work hard to achieve the sale you need, whether this is a quick sale, accompanied viewings or advice in finding a new property. 

 

3.  Choosing an estate agent

Choosing an agent can be a bit overwhelming.  Here are a few tips that may help:

  • Are they professional in their approach?
  • Do they have excellent testimonials on their website so that you can see what other customers think of them?
  • How well known are they in your area?  Have friends and family used them?
  • Will your property be promoted on the estate agents website and major portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket.com?
  • Does the estate agent have good knowledge of the demand in the area?  How many applicants are already registered with them?  
  • By what methods will they market your property?  Social media, email campaigns, newspaper advertising?  Which of the agents will get the best exposure of your property? 
  • Have a look at some examples of the properties they are marketing on their website – do the pictures of the properties look professional?  Do you like the way the property descriptions are written?
  • Will they organise the government required Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on your behalf?   Remember, this will need to be arranged before your property can be marketed.

 

4.  Viewings 

Viewings are of course an essential element to selling your property.  Here are a few ideas for successful viewings:

  1. Make sure your property is clean, tidy, well aired and well lit;
  2. Do you have built in cupboards such as under the stairs?  People may want to have a look in them so ensure they are also neat and tidy;
  3. Where possible it is useful for the estate agent to accompany the viewing, as they are the property experts and know how to sell a property.  You could provide the estate agent with a key to your property so that they can conduct viewings if you are out;
  4. Do you have pets?  Leaving pets with a neighbour or friend can be a good idea;
  5. In cold weather, ensure the heating is on so the property is warm and comfortable; 
  6. Ensure the estate agent has everything they need for the viewing, including access information.

Should you need any advice on conducting viewings or what you should do in advance, speak to your estate agent for their professional advice. 

 

5.  Offers 

Be prepared to negotiate on the offers made for your property. You do not have to accept the first offer you receive or sell to the highest bidder. Factors such as first time buyers, cash buyers or buyers who have a property to sell can be more preferential to you than those who will pay the most.

Whichever estate agent you have chosen to sell your property, they must provide you with all offers that they receive.  It is your decision which offer you would like to accept.

Once you have accepted an offer, you may be asked to take the property off the market - again this is your choice. It is important to write to your estate agent (byletter or email) to confirm the acceptance of the offer and state the conditions for which you have accepted the offer.

 

6.  Surveys and Conveyancing 

Whether you are just buying or selling, you are very likely to need a conveyancer/solicitor . Ask your estate agent for a recommendation of who to use, but also see if friends or family have any recommendations. Make sure you receive a written quotation before proceeding with anyone.  Once you have chosen the right conveyancer for you, you will need to provide them with:

  • Basic information such as your mortgage deeds so they check you own the property;
  • Proof of identification;
  • A completed, detailed questionnaire about the property including boundaries;
  • A completed fixtures and fittings list that are included in the sale.

If the buyers raise any questions/queries, try to answer them as soon as possible to avoid any delays. It is worthwhile to use a postal service that provides a signed for delivery option for extra peace of mind.

 

7.  Exchange and completion

Exchange is the last stage of the process after which a buyer or seller cannot pull out without significant financial or legal implications. It involves copies of exchanged signed contracts between a buyer's conveyancer and a seller's conveyancer. Ensure you have read the contract a few times and fully understand it before you sign. If there is anything that you are not clear on, contact your conveyancer and query. 

On completion day, your conveyancer will contact your agent to let you know when the buyer's money has arrived so the agent can give the new owners the keys to the property. Before they have possession of the keys it is really important that you have removed all your items from the property, taken last readings water, gas and electric, and ensured all doors and windows are locked before you leave. It is also helpful to leave any guides or operating manuals for any appliances out for the new owners.

Once you receive the conveyancer's completion statement, check it carefully to make sure it matches the original quotation.