How to sell your house; step by step

Thanks to our expert team of advisers we have compiled a guide on how to sell your house, to make the process smooth and simple for everyone. The selling process in England and Wales can be dialed down to a few easy steps, but no matter how you choose to go about selling your house, we at Philip Martin are always on hand to help you. So let’s get started!

How much is your home worth?

The first question that you should ask yourself when you decide to sell your house, is how much will you get for it? This can determine a number of factors, such as: which agent will get the best result for you; whether you need this sale to buy another property; and can you do anything to increase the value of your property, to name but a few.

How much will this move cost you?

Unfortunately, moving house costs more than most people think. Whilst there is joy to be found when you sell your house, costs can accumulate, making the whole process a little daunting. You must think about estate agent fees, removal company fees, legal fees, and home repairs, so it is ready to sell. Calculating these fees right at the start ensures there are no surprises down the road. At least, that’s the idea, but our team at Philip Martin are always on hand to help you through should any arise.

Arrange an EPC

This step is one you must not miss. All properties that are for sale in England and Wales are legally required to be marketed with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This will give your property an energy efficiency rating, which, given the rise in living costs, is something new homeowners and potential buyers are very aware of.

Put your house on the market

Arranging a professional photographer through your estate agent gives your property the opportunity to shine! Marketing your home correctly, through detailed descriptions and clear photos, gives it the best chance of selling. You can also arrange a virtual tour, which can be uploaded online, so viewers can see the property before viewing it in person. This, in turn, will ensure only serious buyers will arrange a viewing.

Prepare for viewings

In order to sell your house, it must be clean, tidy, and those that come to view it must be able to imagine themselves living there with their family. Dirty bathrooms, and untidy living and kitchen areas are what put people off the most. So we highly recommend a thorough clean, both inside and outside of the property. We also recommend making a list of all the things you love about your home, things that drew you in from the beginning, so you can point these out to potential buyers.

In-person house viewings

When people decide to sell their house, they sometimes forget that so much is involved, and that they will have to show people into their home. But fear not, Philip Martin is more than prepared to do this for you, making sure to highlight anything you wish, in order to boost the chances of a successful sale.

Accept an offer

An exciting part of selling your home is when an offer comes through. It can be less than you have put it up for, or it can be more, depending on how many people are interested in your home. This can be governed by external desirability like location, access to schools, the central business district, or nearby motorways, all of which could add more value. Carefully consider a lower offer, and why that might be. Our experts can talk through this process with you, in order to help you make an informed decision.

Take on a solicitor

‘Conveyancing’ is a term that most people would not have heard of, unless going through the process of buying or selling a home. This is the essential and legal transfer of your property to its new owner. Enlisting the help of a solicitor is vital for this stage, to ensure a smooth transition and to make sure all the required boxes are ticked.

Agree to sell your house!

The solicitors for both parties will agree to the sale of the property, for the agreed upon price, subject to contract. This means that even though you will receive a Memorandum of Sale, either party can still withdraw from the sale at this stage.

The buyer will arrange a survey

The legal process of collating the contracts can be tedious and time consuming, but Philip Martin is happy to arrange all of this for you, and oversee this process to keep it smooth and simple for you. Surveys are an important stage, as the surveyor will be looking for damp, utilities, cracking, roof issues, and timber defects. Once completed, the surveyor will send their report to the buyer.

Mortgage valuation

A better-known part of the selling process, the mortgage valuation is completed by the buyer's mortgage lender, to ensure the house is worth what they are buying it for.

Contracts and confirmations

At this stage, title deeds and Property Information Forms will need to be sent to your solicitor, who will draft up a contract and send it over to the opposing party. Conversations will be had to discuss exactly what is included in the sale, including property boundaries, disputes or building alterations.

Search and sign!

The buyer’s solicitor will search through Land Registry and Local Authority information, looking for planning history,and potential future developments around the area including roads, drainage and mining near the house. Once this has been completed and accepted, both parties will be informed that it’s time to sign the contracts.

Agree upon a move/exchange date

Both parties must agree to a moving date, which is when the contracts will be exchanged and when the house will be emptied. At this stage, you will receive the deposit, and a signed contract, which ensures that both parties are now legally bound to the sale.

Moving on

As we can see, the journey of selling your house is not straightforward, but it needn’t be as stressful as you think. Having a good estate agent to help you through it is essential, from initial discussions at the start, to helping you arrange removal vans at the very end.

Here at Philip Martin we have over 100 years of combined experience helping families just like yours to sell their home, and to help them find another one. The journey is long, but we will be there every step of the way. Our helpful step-by-step guide is a great starting point if you are thinking about selling your house, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.