So, without further ado\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting your finances in order<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you decide to sell your home, the first thing to\nconsider is whether it\u2019s financially viable. Moving costs can be expensive, so\nhave you considered other alternatives such as extending your current house?\nAlso, how strong is the current property market? Would you be in negative\nequity if you sold right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you decide to go ahead with putting your house on the market, contact your mortgage lender to let them know your intention to sell. Find out the size of your outstanding mortgage as well as any early redemption penalties. If you\u2019re purchasing a new home, consider the mortgage amount you\u2019ll require and compare how much you\u2019ll be able to borrow from mortgage lenders or whether you can \u2018port\u2019 (move) your existing mortgage with you to your new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scout Financial Services<\/a> is a mortgage broker that searches thousands of deals on the market, including some that aren’t available directly through lenders. You can take a look at potential personalised mortgage deals in just a couple of minutes, and if you like the look of anything, a personal mortgage broker can talk you through the options – and you don’t pay anything until you decide to go forward.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\nActions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Begin budgeting for moving costs.<\/strong><\/li>
- Research the current property market.<\/strong><\/li>
- Contact your mortgage lender to determine the\nsize of your outstanding mortgage and whether there are any early redemption\npenalties.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Decide who will sell your property<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere are several ways that you can sell your home,\nincluding using the services of a regular high street estate agent, an online\nestate agent or selling privately. If you plan to use a local estate agent,\ncompare a number of agents to determine how fast their properties sell and if\nthey often receive the original asking price. You can also opt to have more\nthan one agent sell your home via a multiple agency agreement. However, it\u2019s\nworth noting that you\u2019ll likely incur higher fees in doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an alternative, consider using an online or hybrid estate\nagent instead. Online and hybrid agents are growing in popularity and tend to\noffer competitive rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there is also the option to sell your home\nwithout an estate agent at all and potentially save yourself a significant sum\nin the process. However, you will need to do all of the leg work yourself when\nit comes to marketing the property and undertaking viewings and negotiations.\nIt is also important to note that property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla and\nOnTheMarket don\u2019t take individual listings either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whichever option you choose, we\u2019ve put together full guides\nto online\nestate agents<\/a> and selling\nyour home privately<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nActions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Do your research on local, online and hybrid\nestate agents, as well as the possibility of selling your home privately.<\/strong><\/li>
- Decide who you want to sell your property and\nlet them know!<\/strong><\/li>
- Thoroughly review any contracts and \u2013 if\nhappy \u2013 fill in the necessary paperwork.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Decide on an asking price<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne of the toughest decisions you\u2019ll face in the process of selling\nyour home is setting an asking price. At this stage, many people opt to use the\nservices of an estate agent to help them set the right price<\/a> to get\nthe highest profit in the shortest amount of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t feel forced into opting for the highest or lowest\nvaluation; instead, consider your personal financial circumstances before you\ndecide on a selling price. Furthermore, remember that buyers are more than\nlikely to make an offer under the selling price, and that the outcome of a\nproperty survey could also see them lowering their initial offer. A great\nmethod for establishing your selling price is to take the lowest offer you\nwould consider and then add around 10% on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are looking to sell your home privately then we have\nput together a guide on how to value your own property here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nActions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Find out what <\/strong>similar\nhouses in your area have sold for<\/strong><\/a> in the past 12 months.<\/strong><\/li>
- Work with your estate agent to set a\nrealistic asking price for your property.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Preparing your home for viewings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou only get one chance to make a great impression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/external-photo-768x512.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA viewing will make or break your chance to sell your home,\nso it is imperative that you make your property look its best. Clear your home\nof clutter and mess, especially the exterior, as this will give a good first\nimpression. A few quick fixes can make a massive difference so add a lick of\npaint, remove or repair broken furniture, and make your home feel as light and\nairy as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have pets, deal with any odours or pet hair, and\nensure all areas of your home, including the garden, are clean and tidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding greenery, baking a cake, and lighting the fire are\nall elements that can make your home seem more appealing to potential buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve put together a full guide on preparing your home for\nviewings here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nActions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Clear any clutter and mess.<\/strong><\/li>
- Remove or repair any broken furniture.<\/strong><\/li>
- If needed, give your rooms a fresh lick of\npaint.<\/strong><\/li>
- Make your home seem as \u2018neutral\u2019 as possible.<\/strong><\/li>
- Remove any sign of pets living in your home.<\/strong><\/li>
- Add some potted plants or flowers to the\nexterior and interior of your property.<\/strong><\/li>
- Bake a cake or some bread a few hours before\nyour viewings for that lovely \u2018fresh baking\u2019 aroma.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Choosing a conveyancer or solicitor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTo deal with the legal paperwork involved with selling your\nhome, you\u2019ll need to hire a solicitor or conveyancer. Do your research and\ncompare a few options to find the best quotes. You can use a solicitor or\nconveyancer recommended by your estate agent, but this may involve added fees,\nas the estate agent usually takes a commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to decide on a solicitor or conveyancer before\nyour home sells, but the paperwork will only be completed once an offer is\nagreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homeowners who move with Yopa can use Optimus to find their conveyancer, and the good news is that Optimus will help you start your paperwork before you’ve even accepted an offer, which means you’re ready to spring into action as soon as you find a potential buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Research, choose and instruct a conveyancer\nor solicitor.<\/strong><\/li>
- Review their draft contract and \/ or terms of\nengagement.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Accepting an offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour estate agent is legally required to inform you of all\noffers you receive. You can reject an offer, inform the agent to negotiate a\nbetter offer, or accept it. Once you accept an offer, the estate agent will\nremove your home from the market or list it as \u2018sold subject to contract\n(SSTC)\u2019. As the acceptance of an offer is not legally binding, you can still\naccept a better offer that comes along or change your mind with regards to the\nsale until you exchange contracts with a buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Reject, negotiate, or accept an offer on your\nproperty.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Working through the paperwork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/signing-document-768x512.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere is a vast amount of paperwork involved in the process\nof selling your home. Your conveyancer or solicitor will provide you with\nquestionnaires that you\u2019ll be required to complete. This will involve a general\nquestionnaire about your home, a form about the fittings and fixtures you\u2019re\nincluding with the property sale, a form on the arrangements for handing over\nthe property, and details of the leasehold or commonhold if you do not own the\nfreehold to the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Complete the TA6 (general questionnaire),\nTA10 (fixtures and fittings) and TA13 (completion) forms.<\/strong><\/li>
- Complete the TA7 form if you are selling a\nleasehold property, or a TA9 form if you are selling a commonhold property.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Drafting a contract with the buyer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019re happy with the offer you\u2019ve received, it\u2019s now\ntime to draft a contract. Both you and the buyer will need to decide if the\noffer will be reduced due to the results of the property survey. Furthermore,\nyou\u2019ll be required to establish if you\u2019re adding any further fixtures and fittings\nto the sale. You\u2019ll also need to determine the time between exchanging\ncontracts and completion of the sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Work\nwith your solicitor or conveyancer to draft a contract with the buyer.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Exchanging contracts with the buyer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nExchanging contracts with the buyer of your home means\nyou\u2019re now legally obligated to sell your home. The buyer is also legally\nobligated to purchase the property from you at this point. Your solicitor will\nexchange the contracts on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contracts should be exchanged after you have secured a\nmortgage (if necessary), organised building insurance, funded the deposit, and\nagreed a date of completion. It\u2019s possible to exchange and complete the sale on\nthe same day, but it can be more challenging to organise the removal of your\nbelongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Agree\na time and date to exchange contracts (your solicitor or conveyancer will do\nthe \u2018exchanging\u2019 on your behalf).<\/strong><\/li>
- Soon\nafter exchanging contracts, you should receive the buyer\u2019s deposit (usually\naround 10% of the full property price).<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Book some time off work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAfter the contracts have been exchanged, it\u2019s time to\nprepare for the big move. Booking some time off work is advisable. Try and book\nat least a few days off around your move date to give yourself time to plan and\nactually undertake the task of moving house. Leaving it until the last minute\ncan result in panic, so ensure that you have planned well ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- If you work, be sure to book a few days off!<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Compare and arrange removal costs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMoving home can be expensive so compare several removal\nservices before you take the plunge. Once you\u2019ve found the best company for\nyour needs, let them know the moving date and how many vans you\u2019ll require.\nIt\u2019s best to contact them again 24-48hrs before your moving date to ensure that\nyour moving day plans are confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Use a site such as <\/strong>Compare My Move<\/strong><\/a> to compare\nremoval costs.<\/strong><\/li>
- Book a well-respected, fully insured removal\ncompany. We recommend looking for one backed by The British Association of\nRemovers or the Property Redress Scheme.<\/strong><\/li>
- Contact your removal company 24-48 hours\nbefore your moving date to confirm times.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sort out your bills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you have sold your home, it\u2019s important that you\ncontact your service providers and banks to let them know your change of\naddress. This will ensure that all your future bills are addressed to your new\nproperty and that you keep up with payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Contact your banks and credit card companies\nto inform them of your change of address.<\/strong><\/li>
- Contact any utility companies (electricity,\ngas, Sky, broadband, phone line, etc.) to inform them of your change of address\nand to give final meter readings where appropriate.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Redirect your post<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor all other post, you may want to arrange a redirect to\nyour new address. You can set up a redirection service with the Post Office to\nprevent other people from accessing your personal details and to prevent ID\ntheft. Your mail can be re-directed from \u00a331.99 via Royal Mail for up to 3, 6\nor 12 months. This gives you the time to contact anyone who needs to know you\nhave moved house and how to contact you in future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nArrange for your postal redirection at <\/strong>https:\/\/www.royalmail.com\/personal\/receiving-mail\/redirection<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nClean your house before you move<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBefore you move out of your property, ensure that it is thoroughly\ncleaned and that you\u2019ve checked each room for any overlooked belongings. If you\nfind that anything is broken, contact your solicitor to let them know. Whilst\nthe new owners will obviously clean the property once they move in, it is good\nmanners to ensure that your home is in a good condition when you leave it,\nready and waiting for them to move in to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Give your house a deep clean before you move\nout.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Moving home and completing the sale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCompletion of the sale occurs when you have exchanged keys\nand contracts, at which point the payment for the property will be transferred.\nIf it\u2019s not completed by 3pm on the agreed date, completion must occur the\nfollowing day. If you\u2019re in a chain of\nbuyers, the completion process may take longer than expected due to a delay further\ndown the chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the transfer of money occurs, the property deeds will\nbe exchanged via your solicitor who will register the transfer of ownership with\nthe Land Registry. You can move out of your home up until the day of completion.\nEnsure that you have collected and handed over all spare keys and left any\nrelevant information for the new homeowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you\u2019re done! <\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n
Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several ways that you can sell your home,\nincluding using the services of a regular high street estate agent, an online\nestate agent or selling privately. If you plan to use a local estate agent,\ncompare a number of agents to determine how fast their properties sell and if\nthey often receive the original asking price. You can also opt to have more\nthan one agent sell your home via a multiple agency agreement. However, it\u2019s\nworth noting that you\u2019ll likely incur higher fees in doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an alternative, consider using an online or hybrid estate\nagent instead. Online and hybrid agents are growing in popularity and tend to\noffer competitive rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there is also the option to sell your home\nwithout an estate agent at all and potentially save yourself a significant sum\nin the process. However, you will need to do all of the leg work yourself when\nit comes to marketing the property and undertaking viewings and negotiations.\nIt is also important to note that property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla and\nOnTheMarket don\u2019t take individual listings either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whichever option you choose, we\u2019ve put together full guides\nto online\nestate agents<\/a> and selling\nyour home privately<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the toughest decisions you\u2019ll face in the process of selling\nyour home is setting an asking price. At this stage, many people opt to use the\nservices of an estate agent to help them set the right price<\/a> to get\nthe highest profit in the shortest amount of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t feel forced into opting for the highest or lowest\nvaluation; instead, consider your personal financial circumstances before you\ndecide on a selling price. Furthermore, remember that buyers are more than\nlikely to make an offer under the selling price, and that the outcome of a\nproperty survey could also see them lowering their initial offer. A great\nmethod for establishing your selling price is to take the lowest offer you\nwould consider and then add around 10% on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking to sell your home privately then we have\nput together a guide on how to value your own property here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You only get one chance to make a great impression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A viewing will make or break your chance to sell your home,\nso it is imperative that you make your property look its best. Clear your home\nof clutter and mess, especially the exterior, as this will give a good first\nimpression. A few quick fixes can make a massive difference so add a lick of\npaint, remove or repair broken furniture, and make your home feel as light and\nairy as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have pets, deal with any odours or pet hair, and\nensure all areas of your home, including the garden, are clean and tidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding greenery, baking a cake, and lighting the fire are\nall elements that can make your home seem more appealing to potential buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve put together a full guide on preparing your home for\nviewings here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To deal with the legal paperwork involved with selling your\nhome, you\u2019ll need to hire a solicitor or conveyancer. Do your research and\ncompare a few options to find the best quotes. You can use a solicitor or\nconveyancer recommended by your estate agent, but this may involve added fees,\nas the estate agent usually takes a commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to decide on a solicitor or conveyancer before\nyour home sells, but the paperwork will only be completed once an offer is\nagreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homeowners who move with Yopa can use Optimus to find their conveyancer, and the good news is that Optimus will help you start your paperwork before you’ve even accepted an offer, which means you’re ready to spring into action as soon as you find a potential buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your estate agent is legally required to inform you of all\noffers you receive. You can reject an offer, inform the agent to negotiate a\nbetter offer, or accept it. Once you accept an offer, the estate agent will\nremove your home from the market or list it as \u2018sold subject to contract\n(SSTC)\u2019. As the acceptance of an offer is not legally binding, you can still\naccept a better offer that comes along or change your mind with regards to the\nsale until you exchange contracts with a buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a vast amount of paperwork involved in the process\nof selling your home. Your conveyancer or solicitor will provide you with\nquestionnaires that you\u2019ll be required to complete. This will involve a general\nquestionnaire about your home, a form about the fittings and fixtures you\u2019re\nincluding with the property sale, a form on the arrangements for handing over\nthe property, and details of the leasehold or commonhold if you do not own the\nfreehold to the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re happy with the offer you\u2019ve received, it\u2019s now\ntime to draft a contract. Both you and the buyer will need to decide if the\noffer will be reduced due to the results of the property survey. Furthermore,\nyou\u2019ll be required to establish if you\u2019re adding any further fixtures and fittings\nto the sale. You\u2019ll also need to determine the time between exchanging\ncontracts and completion of the sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exchanging contracts with the buyer of your home means\nyou\u2019re now legally obligated to sell your home. The buyer is also legally\nobligated to purchase the property from you at this point. Your solicitor will\nexchange the contracts on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contracts should be exchanged after you have secured a\nmortgage (if necessary), organised building insurance, funded the deposit, and\nagreed a date of completion. It\u2019s possible to exchange and complete the sale on\nthe same day, but it can be more challenging to organise the removal of your\nbelongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After the contracts have been exchanged, it\u2019s time to\nprepare for the big move. Booking some time off work is advisable. Try and book\nat least a few days off around your move date to give yourself time to plan and\nactually undertake the task of moving house. Leaving it until the last minute\ncan result in panic, so ensure that you have planned well ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving home can be expensive so compare several removal\nservices before you take the plunge. Once you\u2019ve found the best company for\nyour needs, let them know the moving date and how many vans you\u2019ll require.\nIt\u2019s best to contact them again 24-48hrs before your moving date to ensure that\nyour moving day plans are confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have sold your home, it\u2019s important that you\ncontact your service providers and banks to let them know your change of\naddress. This will ensure that all your future bills are addressed to your new\nproperty and that you keep up with payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For all other post, you may want to arrange a redirect to\nyour new address. You can set up a redirection service with the Post Office to\nprevent other people from accessing your personal details and to prevent ID\ntheft. Your mail can be re-directed from \u00a331.99 via Royal Mail for up to 3, 6\nor 12 months. This gives you the time to contact anyone who needs to know you\nhave moved house and how to contact you in future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrange for your postal redirection at <\/strong>https:\/\/www.royalmail.com\/personal\/receiving-mail\/redirection<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you move out of your property, ensure that it is thoroughly\ncleaned and that you\u2019ve checked each room for any overlooked belongings. If you\nfind that anything is broken, contact your solicitor to let them know. Whilst\nthe new owners will obviously clean the property once they move in, it is good\nmanners to ensure that your home is in a good condition when you leave it,\nready and waiting for them to move in to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Action for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Completion of the sale occurs when you have exchanged keys\nand contracts, at which point the payment for the property will be transferred.\nIf it\u2019s not completed by 3pm on the agreed date, completion must occur the\nfollowing day. If you\u2019re in a chain of\nbuyers, the completion process may take longer than expected due to a delay further\ndown the chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the transfer of money occurs, the property deeds will\nbe exchanged via your solicitor who will register the transfer of ownership with\nthe Land Registry. You can move out of your home up until the day of completion.\nEnsure that you have collected and handed over all spare keys and left any\nrelevant information for the new homeowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you\u2019re done! <\/p>\n\n\nDecide who will sell your property<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Decide on an asking price<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Preparing your home for viewings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nChoosing a conveyancer or solicitor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accepting an offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Working through the paperwork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDrafting a contract with the buyer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exchanging contracts with the buyer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Book some time off work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compare and arrange removal costs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sort out your bills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Redirect your post<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clean your house before you move<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moving home and completing the sale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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