First of all you need to organise a valuation to find out how much your home is worth. Once this is done you should agree terms and conditions to instruct an estate agent to find you a buyer. During the valuation, find out about the services we offer such as professional photography, no sole selling right period (a contractual agreement that ties you in to using the same agent for a period of weeks whether you are happy with them or not), the current state of the local market, and the sale price you can hope to achieve. Consider your priorities and timescales and agree a marketing plan with us that meets your needs.
There are three main costs involved in selling a property:
Don’t forget about removals. Ask your agent to outline all these costs at the start of your sale so that you can fully budget for your move.
When purchasing onward you will more than likely have to consider Stamp Duty, please click here to use our Stamp Duty Calculator.
We recommend that we accompany all viewings where possible, but you may decide that you’d like to conduct them yourselves or be present. This is completely up to you, however we do believe viewers feel more relaxed without the home owners presence and this promotes a more honest viewing.
This partly depends on the conditions of the offer. Remember, neither the buyer or the seller is bound to the purchase or sale until the contracts are signed and exchanged. It is usual however, for viewings to stop once an offer has been accepted and solicitors instructed to handle the sale.
It is not uncommon for buyers to ask to revisit a property they are purchasing after their offer has been accepted. This could be to check certain points, measure up or to simply show family members. Where reasonable we would recommend such requests be allowed as it helps to maintain a positive relationship with the buyer.
Every property sale is different, and it is difficult to answer this question with any real accuracy. If you have already vacated the property and the buyer does not need a mortgage, then exchange of contracts and completion can happen reasonably quickly. However, if the buyer requires a mortgage, you are still in the property, or if there is a chain involved, the process can take far longer. In total it can take an average of anything from 8 to 15 weeks to complete the sale once you accept an offer and solicitors are instructed.
In England, almost all properties are required to have a current EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) before they can be sold. Estate agents must display the EPC rating within 14 days of marketing the property. If a property does not have an EPC when marketed the seller and the agent risks a fine.
‘Conveyancing’ is everything that needs to happen to legally transfer your home to the buyer. You will need a solicitor or conveyancer to make it happen. David Ball Agencies can introduce you to a conveyancer that will discuss your requirements and provide you with a quote free of charge.
No. The buyer is responsible for paying Stamp Duty.
In England you do not need to arrange a property survey, but it is likely that the buyer will, and so a surveyor will arrange an appointment to visit your home. The five key things a surveyor will be looking for are problems with utilities, damp, cracking, problems with roofs, and timber defects. If your buyer requires a mortgage, their mortgage lender will organise a mortgage valuation to confirm that the property is worth the money being lent.
As part of the conveyancing process, the buyer’s solicitor will perform a number of 'searches' in relation to your home. These will likely include searches of Land Registry and Local Authority information. They will be checking for planning history and any potential developments around roads, drainage, and mining near the property.
Once the sale has been agreed, your solicitor will draft a contract. The buyer’s solicitor will then check through the contract, confirm the details of the property, and perform searches. At the same time, the buyer’s mortgage lender will conduct a mortgage valuation and send a mortgage offer to the buyer. When all of this is complete, you will be ready to sign the contract and agree the completion date.
Until signed contracts are exchanged between the buyers and sellers solicitors either party can pull out at any time and for any reason.
When both contracts have been signed, the buyer’s solicitor will request the mortgage funds from the buyer’s lender. Once these funds are released, then your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor will consult both parties and agree a completion date.
Your title deeds give proof of ownership of the property and will need to be transferred to the buyer as part of the conveyancing process. These may be held by your mortgage lender, or they may be held electronically by Land Registry. It will be your solicitor’s responsibility to obtain these.
You are not required to leave any furniture or furnishings in the property, but you may agree to include some as part of the negotiations of the sale.
In most cases you are only required to pay Capital Gains Tax if the property is not your main home. If you are concerned of tax implications and require specialist advice, we are more than happy to recommend a qualified and trusted local firm.