Being so long in the tooth, I thought I could warn and advise clients of every eventuality, so that there would be no unnecessary delays once a buyer is found.
How naïve! It’s impossible. The way that property is sold in most parts of the United Kingdom is incredibly silly and certainly due for a massive overhaul by the eventual government brave enough to take it on, but in the interim, we must play the hand we have been dealt.
We must navigate the treacherous waters of leasehold and freehold, the minefield that is conveyancing and surveying. The period property that is 300 years old and still standing strong and the modern home that is brand new, but will it be there in 300 years? The cladding scandals, the building regulations, the energy certificates, the service charges, the buildings insurance – the list of danger and risk lurks at every turn.
Here are our 10 top tips for a tip top sale.
Choose your solicitor wisely. They can make or break a deal.
Get a survey done on the property you are SELLING – be prepared
Check your lease for breaches and act on these
If you have made any changes to the property, ensure you have the correct paperwork such as a licence of alteration
If you have inherited the property, have probate granted
Decorate the property to ensure that it looks great and crucially looks trouble free. Always stage the property for sale if you don’t live there and ensure the property is regularly cleaned.
If it is tenanted and you can afford it, only market it once the tenants have left
Remember your buyer’s solicitor will ask questions that seem ridiculous to you, but they need to be answered, and quickly, so make sure you have all the information ready – your solicitor will know what to expect. Get their advice before it is necessary.
Choose the right broker. This is so important. Cheapest and local is not always the best way.
Make clear rules for viewings, no messy teenagers or rooms that can’t be viewed because the baby is sleeping.
One of the most important things you can do when selling is #1 and #9. These two individuals must be at the top of their game and should give you the best advice possible and crucially they should be communicating through put the sale. Many agents will have experience of individual solicitors and vise versa. Your solicitor should be one who is willing to engage with your agent, as this is in your best interest. We believe a broker is for life and not just for the life of the sale.
Getting a survey done when selling (#2) is not common, but wouldn’t you prefer to spend a few grand and then have no surprises when your buyer gets a survey. It may even help you to have major issue repaired so there is not reason for a buyer to chip at an agreed price.
#4 is the one that catches out more sellers than any other. You think you have all the right paperwork filed away somewhere – but do you? Get your solicitor to advise on this, as if you are buying your own home before you begin the process of selling it. These sorts of delays, caused by a lack of official paperwork being on file, which can sometimes take weeks to remedy, is often the reason a deal falls apart.
Staging a property for selling cannot be under rated, whether you live there or have already vacated. No visible clutter is one thing, but making it look like a buyers dream home is quite another. It will earn you back whatever you spend on it and then some. There are hundreds of companies that offer this service, and they can be very quick and competitive. Money well spent.
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