Step-by-step selling guide
1. Accurate Valuation
You want to sell your property for the best possible price. That’s why it is important to arrange valuations with a few local agents, and look at the sold prices of properties in your area, in order to establish a reasonable asking price for your property.
We will give an accurate valuation in order to avoid raising your expectations unrealistically which inevitably leads to a reduction in price further down the line.
Call one of our branches to arrange your free no obligation valuation or complete a property valuation request form. (This will link to the Valuation page)
2. Instructing an agent
It is important to assess which agent will achieve the best outcome for you and who you relate to personally.
When we visit your property we will take the opportunity to understand and discuss how we can help you achieve your goals through designing and tailoring the marketing to suit. We arrange professional photography and floor plans and organise EPC assessments.
3. Instructing a Solicitor
Instructing an experienced and efficient solicitor is of the greatest importance in the sale of your home. Making this decision as early as possible can help prevent delays later down the line.
We work closely with a number of local solicitors and would be happy to make an initial introduction.
4. Presenting your property
As the saying goes, first impressions count. Presenting your property in the best way is key to a successful and speedy sale. A fresh coat of paint and addressing those long standing DIY issues can make all the difference. Your home will then be ready for R M English’s professional photographers.
Read our ‘Guide to presenting your property’ for further advice and helpful tips. (Link to that Page)
5. Marketing your property
To attract the perfect buyer your property needs to be marketed across a range of platforms. With the increasing prominence of the internet it is important that the agent you choose will maximise on the opportunities it offers.
We will produce excellent marketing material of the highest quality including professional photos and brochures in order to show your home in the best possible light. We also provide comprehensive online marketing. We will advertise your property on our website, Right move, On the Market and on both Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore we maximise upon our ever growing applicant base in order to find the perfect buyer for your home at the earliest possible opportunity. Nonetheless, one should not underestimate the power of a traditional ‘for sale’ sign outside your home and window displays in one of our three branches.
If you have not had sufficient interest within 4 weeks we will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the marketing material and make any necessary changes.
6. Viewings and Feedback
It is important that viewings can be arranged to suit potential buyers. However we understand that just because you’re selling your property, your life doesn’t stop. Therefore we offer accompanied viewings in order to maximise upon every enquiry. We are then able to use our expertise and knowledge of the local area to help sell your property.
Communication is central to the service we offer at R M English. We will endeavour to provide you with feedback within 24 hours of a viewing.
7. Receiving an offer
We will contact you immediately with any offer, including details on the buyer and their ability to proceed in order for you to make an informed decision. If that offer isn’t what you had hoped we will work tirelessly to achieve a figure that is.
8. Accepting an offer
Once you accept an offer we will do the following:
- Prepare a notification of sale
- Write to all parties to confirm the agreed price
- Ask you to confirm your solicitor’s details
Your solicitor will send out a draft contract to the buyer’s solicitor who will then carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage you will also be able to agree on dates for the survey on your property, exchange of contracts and proposed date for completion.
We will be here to advise you, answer any questions and negotiate on your behalf throughout this process, keeping you informed every step of the way.
There are no legal obligations until contracts are signed.
9. Exchange of contracts
Exchange of contracts will happen when the following have been confirmed and agreed:
- Preliminary enquiries following receipt of draft contract
- Evidence of a good title
- Specific issues highlighted in the lease, if applicable
- Local search queries
- Fixtures and fittings to be included in the sale
- The buyers mortgage offer
It is at this point that you become legally committed to the sale. Once both you and the buyer have signed the contract, the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) will be transferred to you.
10. Completion
The remaining money (usually 90%) will be transferred from the buyers’ solicitor to your account. When the money has cleared you’re solicitor will call you and the keys can be released.
