If you've never sold a house, you may be considering appointing an estate agent or even an online estate agent to help you. The decision depends on how confident you are at going through the process with a little less support.
In this insight, we will provide what to expect if you're a first-time seller, negotiating a price, and our recommended online agent for someone with your experience.
Before you start the process of selling your house, it is important to understand what to expect. The process of selling a house in the UK can be broken down into several steps, including preparing your home for sale, determining the right asking price, marketing and advertising your property, showing your home, negotiating offers, finalising the sale, and completing the sale. Understanding each step of the process can help you prepare for what's to come and make informed decisions.
Getting ready to sell your property is a crucial part of the selling process, especially if you have no prior experience in selling a house. It involves making your home appear its absolute best and creating a welcoming environment for potential buyers. Let's break down the steps to prepare your home for sale:
Determining the right asking price is crucial to the success of your home sale. It involves researching the local housing market, assessing your home's value, and setting a competitive price that will attract potential buyers.
To determine the right asking price, start by researching the local housing market and comparing your home to similar properties that have recently sold in your area. You should also consider hiring a professional appraiser to assess your home's value. Finally, be realistic about your asking price and be willing to negotiate with potential buyers.
At this stage, it's time to get a valuation on your property. A lot of online estate agents offer free valuations. We recommend Strike. Strike offers a free property valuation, a perfect balance of support for new sellers alongside tools and tech, plus the cost savings vs using a high street agent.
Your agent will come to meet you, view the property and advise on a reasonable sale price. Remember though, this is your property, if you want to list your property for a different price than what the agent recommends, stand firm. You are well within your right to do so.
Use the expertise of your estate agent for marketing your property. This is their job after all. It's crucial for reaching the right audience and enticing potential buyers. Here's how they should be helping:
Showing your home is an important step in the process of selling your house. It involves creating a great first impression with potential buyers and showcasing your home's best features. To show your home, start by cleaning and decluttering your space. You should also consider staging your home to create a welcoming atmosphere. Finally, be prepared to answer any questions potential buyers may have and highlight your home's best features.
Negotiate with potential buyers and accept an offer that only meets your needs. Don't rush this stage, unless you must. It's always a good idea to ensure your listing price is 5% higher than what you want to achieve. Most agents achieve 95%-97% of the listing price, allow for this and expect a lower offer than what you've listed for. This is the nature of the negotiation game. Set your bottom line and wait until you get the offer.
Get Yourself a Solicitor or Conveyancer. You'll need to hire a professional who knows their way around property transactions. They'll handle all the legal bits and pieces for you, making sure everything is done properly. Your Mortgage adviser or agent can help you appoint a conveyancer.
Keep on top of the Paperwork: Work closely with your solicitor or conveyancer to make sure all the necessary paperwork is filled out correctly. This includes things like the sales contract, property title deeds, and any other important documents.
Keep Everyone Happy: Make sure all parties involved in the sale are happy with the deal. That means you, the buyer, and anyone else in the chain. Your solicitor or conveyancer can help you negotiate any changes or adjustments to the contract if needed.
Completing the sale involves transferring ownership of your property to the buyer and moving forward with your life. It involves packing and moving your belongings, transferring utilities, and saying goodbye to your old home. To complete the sale and move forward, start by packing and moving your belongings. You should also transfer utilities and ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed. Finally, say goodbye to your old home and embrace your new chapter.
If you've never sold a house in the UK, it can be an emotional experience, you want to achieve the best price, with the quickest transaction and as less stress as possible. By understanding the process of selling a house and following the tips and advice outlined in this article, you can navigate the process with ease and achieve a successful sale.
Stuart is an expert in Property, Money, Banking & Finance, having worked in retail and investment banking for 10+ years before founding Sunny Avenue. Stuart has spent his career studying finance. He holds qualifications in financial studies, mortgage advice & practice, banking operations, dealing & financial markets, derivatives, securities & investments.
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