Our step-by-step guide to selling property

Whether you’re looking to downsize, looking for a second property or just looking for a change, selling a house can be a complicated journey. We’re here to help, and this guide breaks it down into bite sized chunks, for you to digest easily, outlining what we can do to help the overall selling process.

Having an accurate valuation

Before you start considering a move it is important to get a valuation on your property. Having an idea of what your property could be worth will be a huge advantage to you when you start to market your property as you will be more prepared when you begin to receive offers.

The valuer will provide evidence and consider what the market appraisal is to justify their price. For an even more accurate figure, or to prepare yourself for what the true value of your property might be before you call in a valuer or start looking to move, it might be worth considering a pre-sale survey. These will give you a better understanding of your property’s value and avoid surprises late in the sale. Having confidence in your estate agent is vital. Andrews ensures that the valuation on your home is as accurate as possible, and all our valuers are highly knowledgeable about their local market.

To try our free valuation tool, or book for an expert to visit, click here

Choosing the right agent

Having the right estate agent on board will help ease the selling process, which can at times be difficult. Dealing with a company who have your best interests at heart and will go above and beyond to ensure that your property is sold for the correct price is hugely important.

Instructing a solicitor

Instructing a solicitor as early on in the process as possible will give you a big advantage when it comes to agreeing a sale as you will be in a better position to get things moving quickly.

We can recommend trusted local solicitors who, armed with local knowledge and enduring experience of the market, will work to help you secure a sale on your property. They operate on a no move, no fee basis so you can be sure that you are putting your money in the right people.

Marketing your property

Marketing a property correctly is crucial to ensure your home is attracting buyers. With good marketing comes more viewings and therefore, the possibility of a quicker sale.

Our website received over 1.9 million annual visits in 2021, and we also market properties on Rightmove.

An agents local area knowledge will often be crucial in marketing a property correctly and eventually securing that all important sale. Knowledge of local amenities and good schools in the catchment area will help buyers see the benefits of your property and make it more appealing.

*Average based on Google Analytics figures, Jan - Dec 2021.

Receiving an offer

When we receive offers on your property we will confirm it to you verbally and in writing within 24 hours. These offers can also be seen on your My Andrews account. We will confirm with the buyer how they intend to fund the sale, be it with a mortgage or outright payment, and advise that they speak to our mortgage advisors to confirm they are in a suitable position to buy.

Once agreed, we will then contact your solicitor, the buyer and the buyer’s solicitor to confirm the details of the sale. Offers are not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged. From this point until exchange, you will need to be in close communication with your solicitor to receive updates. Take a look at our guide to conveyancing for more helpful information on the process, post offer. The exchange of contracts is the moment when the sale becomes legally binding on both sides. The buyer must have paid a cleared deposit (usually 10% of the sale price) into their solicitors account and your solicitor will inform you when contracts have been exchanged. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement and is contractually binding.

Completion

Both parties (the seller and the buyer) will agree on a completion date, and the buyer’s solicitor will transfer the remaining purchase price to your solicitor by the agreed completion date. The sale will be complete once this has cleared. Your solicitor will contact both yourself and us when the money has cleared in their account, and we will then release keys to your buyer.

Find out how we can further advise you on your move by contacting us or popping into your local branch where one of our property experts will be happy to help.

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