Valuation

The first step to selling is to invite an estate agent to visit your property to assess what your home is worth. Sure Sales & Lettings will give you both a marketing price and a price we would expect to achieve. Our aim is to achieve you the highest possible price within a time frame to suit you. At this stage, we would discuss the selling process, our fees and our marketing strategy whilst answering any questions you may have. We will also show you a selection of comparable properties we have sold to validate our valuation.

Preparing Your Property for the Market

First impressions count, so try to make sure that your property has an attractive frontage with a tidy garden, clean exterior walls and a smart front door. This will give potential viewers the best possible image of the property when they see the ‘For Sale’ board or the photograph on the brochure.

A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference for the internal aspects of a property and can also be relatively inexpensive. Neutral colours are usually best. “Spring-cleaning” the interior of the property by tidying and removing clutter from each room can create a fresh atmosphere for viewings and show off the space that exists. Ensuring that door handles, dripping taps and scuffed paint are fixed can be vitally important in the sale of your home even though they may seem like small jobs.  All in all, present your property at its best whilst always remembering that it is a working household at the same time.

Due to the money laundering regulations of 2007 you will need to provide Sure Sales & Lettings with Identification before the property is uploaded to the open market.  You will also need an EPC (Energy performance certificate) if you do not already have one, don’t panic Sure can help get this arranged with an approved contractor.

Once you have instructed Sure photography will be carried out along with a detailed floor plan which will form the basis of our marketing literature and marketing. An opportunity will be given to amend and approve these before your property is placed onto websites and sent out to prospective buyers. Our sales team will then visit your property giving them an insight into its key selling features.

Viewings

Many owners like to be present while viewings take place, others prefer to give the estate agent the keys. Either way, we will arrange all appointments at suitable times for you. Even if you live at the property our team are available to show buyers around which enables us to obtain immediate feedback that purchasers are often too polite to express directly to the seller. We are also trained to overcome any objections that may arise from this. Equally knowing why buyers do not favour a property should enable us to adjust our marketing to secure a buyer from subsequent viewings.

Accepting an Offer

Once you start to receive offers, we will discuss all aspects of the purchasers with you, such as current buying position, mortgages and time frames. All of this information will help you make an informed decision on the buyer that you will eventually proceed with. We will advise and guide you along the way, remembering that the final decision can only be yours.

Instructing a solicitor

The successful sale of your home or any onward purchase can be reliant on the instruction of an efficient solicitor who has expertise in the conveyance process along with a good understanding of the local area. It is advisable to carry out research and make a decision before placing your property on the market. Sure Sales & Lettings can help you with recommendations as in many cases the relationship with the solicitor is key for the transaction to run smoothly and overcome any issues that may arise.

Exchange

Once the buyers’ mortgage offer (if required) has been confirmed and all enquiries including searches have been agreed, both parties will sign contracts and agree on a completion date. In addition, your buyers will pay their solicitor the deposit (normally 10%) and, if required, you would need to contact your removal company to confirm the completion day. The solicitors will then exchange contracts and your sale will become legally binding.

Completion

Once your conveyancer confirms that the deal has been completed, you’ll need to arrange for your house keys to be handed over to the buyer. Take meter readings, make a new will, and congratulate yourself for successfully selling your house!