The Essential House Seller's Guide

Valuations And Getting It On the Market
Legalities And Showing Your Home
Offers And Completion

Selling your property is a big move and you don't need unnecessary stress. Make the best start by understanding what's involved with our essential guide.

terrace house for sale. The Essential House Seller's Guide

What's It Worth?

You should do the following to make sure you have an accurate idea of what you could sell your property for:

Get at least three estate agents to come and do a 'no obligation' valuation.
Research the market for similar properties in your own area, either through agent windows, local property supplements or property websites.
Now research actual prices fetched by such properties. Ask around, or use a free website such as Nethouseprices, which uses Land Registry records.

Putting It On The Market

Don't get hung up on timing. If you need to sell, you need to sell. Most people favour spring and summer because of their better weather and longer daylight hours, but people are still buying properties all year round. Make sure you keep abreast of property news including speculation about mortgage rates, but remember you can only make an educated guess.

estate agent. The Essential House Seller's Guide

Find The Best Estate Agent

Estate agents are the traditional way. They charge a commission fee, payable after sale, but you may also pay for extra advertising. In return they save you time and stress by, among other things, actively promoting your property, having the hassle of dealing with would-be buyers, and acting as a go-between during possibly tense negotiations.

To choose an agent, don't just pick the one offering the highest valuation, because there's no guarantee they will get that price.

Compare fees.
Ask what they are offering.
Check testimonials.
Check the contract - it may try to tie you to the agency for too long a period. If you want to change agents in this time you will still be legally bound to pay their fee.
Multiple listings - using more than one agent may mean you are also liable to pay more than one fee, so check the contract fine print again.

Once you have an agent, stay in regular contact, be firm about progress reports, and make sure they are getting prospective buyers in.

The National Association of Estate Agents has good advice about choosing an agent and selling.

Private sales

In these, you avoid paying commission because you are doing all the work, including advertising and dealing with would-be buyers directly. You can advertise in local newspaper or use the internet.

E-sales

You could use a specialist website, which will advertise your property and leave you to deal directly with buyers for a fee in the low hundreds rather than the thousands of estate agents' commission. Alternatively, online estate agents cost more, but are still more economical than the high-street version, and will do more of the work for you. Take a look at My Property For Sale and The Little House Company.