At Parkheath we appreciate that selling a home or property requires important financial decisions. This is why we feel that offering quality service is more important than the quantity of properties that we sell. We are proud that our high levels of customer service have time and time again not only referred business, but repeat business from clients we have built strong relations with.
We have put together this step-by-step guide to help clarify the selling process for you, and we hope this will show you how we can help achieve the maximum price for your property.
1. Valuing your property.
The first step to selling your home is to either contact or visit your local Parkheath office to make an appointment for a free, without obligation market appraisal with one of our experienced members of staff.
In order to establish a value for your property, we will perform what is technically called a ‘competitive market analysis’. This takes in to account factors such as the location, size and decorative condition of your property and local market trends to calculate the ‘estimated market value’ of your property. We then use this figure and any further information from you such as timescale requirements to arrive at your asking price.
2. Preparing your home for marketing.
First impressions count and it is important that you keep your property as presentable as possible throughout the time your property is on the market for sale. How you present your home can have a huge impact on peoples impressions and your success in selling for the price you would like to achieve.
We will commission professional photography to use in our marketing. The visual impact of these can dictate the attention the property receives and whilst we do not recommend spending a fortune on home improvements, there are a few things you can do to aid the sale of your property from the outset.
A. Paint the front door and ensure the entrance is clean and tidy.
B. Spring clean your property (including skirting boards and windows).
C. Maximise a feeling of space, clear work tops and rooms of clutter.
D. Check to see if there is anything that needs to be fixed such as a door bell or dripping tap.
E. Air all rooms.
F. Fully draw back curtains and open blinds to maximise the daylight in the room.
3. Marketing.
Parkheath’s marketing is extensive and proactive, with a wide reach through media and e-marketing. We ustilise all of the major property websites including Rightmove, Zoopla, Primelocation and OnTheMarket as well as other smaller but equally focused websites to ensure maximum exposure.
Our website Parkheath.com and social media sites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside fundamental estate agency practises such as connecting with applicants via phone and email ensures our extensive database of applicants are continuously informed of new properties and property news.
4. Viewings
Our policy is to accompany all viewings. Having access to your property at short notice is important in order that we can show your property to perspective purchasers as soon as they contact us with an interest in your property.
We will notify you of any viewings that are taking place and follow up with the feedback from the viewing.
Our typical viewing times will be:
Monday – Friday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 3pm
5. Receiving and negotiating an offer.
As soon as we receive an offer for your property, we will discuss it with you and then confirm in writing. If you have received an acceptable offer you need to make a decision as to whether or not to continue to market your property. We can advise you on this.
There is always a possibility you may receive multiple offers and that you may receive several identical offers and need to decide between buyers. In these instances we will spend time with you going through the individual details of each of the applicants who have made an offer to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion.
6. Instructing your solicitor.
Having accepted an offer you will need to instruct a solicitor to handle the legal paperwork (known as conveyancing). We recommend you use a solicitor who specialises in conveyancing. Each of our offices will have a selection of solicitors that we have worked with and who we are happy to recommend.
7. Exchange of contracts.
An exchange of contracts occurs once all the legal queries have been satisfied by the purchaser’s solicitor and once they have commissioned and received the local authority searches.
Your purchaser may require a mortgage to purchase your property and thus only once they have received a confirmation on their mortgage offer will they be ready to exchange.
The contracts needs to be signed by you and the purchaser. The deposit (which is usually 10% of the purchase price) is transferred to your solicitor. Once they receive the deposit the contracts can be exchanged and it is at this point the sale is legally binding.
8. Completion
A completion can be set for any day from the day of exchange to a few weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on each parties requirements and what was agreed at the outset.
The balance of the purchase price is sent from the buyers solicitors account to your solicitors account.
It is at this point you have sold your property.
Disclaimer
This guide is intended to help readers navigate their way through the selling process under the estate agency systems in England and Wales. Readers take any advice at their own risk. Parkheath accepts no responsibility for any action taken, or loss occurring, as a result of any advice and/or information within this guide.
If you require further information or advice, contact your local office to talk with one of our experienced members of staff.
