If you’re ready to sell your house, you may be wondering just how to go about it. It may seem like there are so many different moving parts that you need to take care of. However, it doesn’t need to be so difficult.
In this article, we’ll break down the entire process into 13 easy steps. We’ll provide everything you need to know to help you get your property sold.
So, without further ado, here’s how to sell your house in the UK.
Step 1: Decide if you should sell
If you’re considering selling your home, it can be a good idea to first take a step back to understand whether it’s worth it. Many can have different motivations behind their desire to sell. Some may be selling to purchase another home. Others may be looking to sell out of urgency. Maybe due to financial difficulties or other life situations. However, the costs of selling can be significant, so it’s important to know all the options available to you.
Tip: One of the most important things many fail to check is how difficult it can be to sell. The property market can change considerably, and sometimes it can be more difficult to sell, and it may affect your future plans, especially with how much you can expect from the sale.
Step 2: Get your property valued
Once you’ve made the decision to sell, the next step is understanding the value of your property. You can’t base the value of your property on the current average trends. You need a property valuation that takes into account local trends.
The valuation not only helps with the later stages of pricing, but it can help predict the overall success of your sale. A realistic valuation attracts potential buyers, ensuring a competitive yet reasonable listing price.
Step 3: Plan ahead
With your property’s value in mind, it’s time to look forward strategically. You need to plan what will happen once you sell your house. So take some time to think about where you’ll live next—whether it’s another owned property, a rental, or staying with family. This decision will also influence your sales timeline and the negotiation process.
If you’re relocating, researching potential areas and property prices is necessary. For those downsizing or looking for a larger space, understanding how your requirements will play a part is important.
Tip: If the sale of your property is ‘chain-free’, where your property sale isn’t reliant on the purchase of another, this can be an attractive feature for potential buyers.
Step 4: Figure out how to sell
Now that you’ve decided to sell, you need to decide how you’ll sell your property. The method you choose will impact your overall experience, including the level of control, additional costs, and the overall selling timeframe.
There are four options available in the UK. Using an estate agent, selling privately, opting for an auction, or selling directly to a cash house buyer.
Engaging an estate agent offers professional expertise but comes with fees. Selling privately provides more control but demands a hands-on approach. Auctions can be swift but may not always fetch the desired price. A cash house buyer can usually purchase your property within a timeframe that suits you, so as fast as you need, but this comes at the cost of a lower offer.
Tip: No matter whether you opt for the traditional route, a high street estate agent, or the more modern way with an online estate agent, or if you’re hoping to sell in a hurry with a cash buying company. We can help with any option here at Sold.co.uk. If you choose a cash house buying option, your process of selling pretty much ends here.
Step 5: Get an Energy Performance Certificate
If you bought your property within the last ten years, you may already have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. However, if you don’t, then before your property hits the market, you’ll need to get this sorted, as every home in the UK is required to have one. This certificate evaluates your home’s energy efficiency and environmental impact, providing potential buyers with important information.
Arranging an EPC involves hiring a qualified assessor who will conduct an inspection and issue the certificate. The rating not only satisfies legal requirements but also enhances your property’s appeal. A higher efficiency rating can positively influence a buyer’s decision, making your home a more attractive prospect. Before you can sell, you need to have at least made an application for an EPC. Prices for testers range between £50 and £120, so it is worth shopping around.
Step 6: Decide your listing price
Setting the right listing price is one of the most important steps in making your property stand out in the market. If you’ve chosen to sell through an estate agent, they’ll typically assist in determining the best listing price. This process involves considering various factors, including the property’s valuation, current market trends, and comparable sales in your area.
For those selling privately, careful research and analysis are essential. You’ll be up against other sellers who will definitely have done their research. Start by examining the prices of similar properties in your local area and factor in any unique features or improvements your home offers.
Step 7: Prepare your home for sale.
First impressions matter, especially in a competitive property market. Now that your property is ready to hit the market, it’s time to ensure it attracts as many potential buyers as possible. Preparation involves more than mere cleanliness; you need to make your property stand amidst the rest of the properties out there. Buyers need to be able to appreciate what makes your property the best for them. Price should be a second consideration for them once they leave your property.
How do you do this? Start with decluttering and carrying out a deep clean of your property. Next, take a look at your renovation options, whether they’re minor or major renovations. Small repairs can include repainting, whereas major renovations could be something like carrying out a loft conversion.
Step 8: Hire a conveyancing solicitor
Besides an estate agent, you will need the help of a conveyancing solicitor when selling your property. Simply because it will make the process that much easier. Once you accept an offer, the solicitor will come into effect, taking you from the offer stages through to completion.
So it’s a given that you need to choose a qualified and reliable solicitor. They will handle various legalities, including property title checks, preparing and reviewing contracts, and managing the transfer of funds. If there are any issues with any of these, there may be delays affecting the sale. While it’s an additional cost, their expertise will ensure compliance with legal requirements and safeguard your interests. However, many may be booked up and have low availability depending on your area, so you need to find one ahead of time.
Step 9: Accept an offer
Congratulations, you’ve received an offer on your property! But the hard work isn’t over just yet. You will need to comb through the offer and ensure that it matches up with your offer. If you’re happy, you can accept the offer.
Communication is key during this stage. Make sure that you engage with potential buyers and be open to negotiation. You may find yourself in a position of having multiple offers on the table, so you will need to consider each one thoughtfully. Once you’ve accepted an offer, the next steps in the selling process are set in motion.
Tip: When you receive the offer, here are some things to carefully check:
- The proposed sale price
- The buyer’s financial position
- Any requested conditions,
- The timeline they propose for completion.
Step 10: Negotiate the contract
As you progress towards completing the deal, you will need to start preparing for negotiating the contract. This step involves combing through the terms of the agreement addressing any contingencies, repairs, or adjustments outlined in the offer. So, both parties may have specific conditions they wish to include, and everyone will need to be on the same page to achieve a successful sale.
Negotiations aim to find common ground that satisfies both the seller and the buyer. So, you will need to be prepared for a back-and-forth process and consider seeking legal advice if needed. This is where having the help of other professionals can help to ensure that nothing is missed. The goal of this stage is to create a contract that protects your interests while ensuring a smooth and fair selling process.
Step 11: Exchange contracts
Once negotiations are completed, and all parties are in agreement, the next step of the process is to exchange contracts. At this point, both the buyer and seller enter into a legal commitment to participate in the property transaction. At this point, the buyer will typically put down the deposing, and a mutually agreed completion date will be set.
The exchange of contracts is a legally binding step, and backing out at this stage can have serious consequences. The buyer’s deposit is at risk, and the seller may face legal action. This is why the last step of ensuring the contract meets your expectations is incredibly vital.
Step 12: Complete the sale
At this point, congratulations are in order. You’ve reached the stage of completing the sale of your house. As the agreed-upon date approaches, both the buyer and seller should be ready for the final steps. The buyer will make the full payment, and ownership of the property can be officially transferred from the seller to the buyer.
At this point, you should ensure that all outstanding paperwork is in order and that your solicitor is managing the financial stipulations. Additionally, final inspections can be carried out to confirm the property’s condition matches expectations. Check out our moving day guide!
Step 13: Pay any outstanding fees
Once the sale of the house approaches completion, any outstanding fees related to the transaction must be completed. So you may have estate agent commissions, solicitor fees and any other expenses that must be accounted for.
Once all of the outstanding fees have been paid, you’re free to do what you want with the proceeds from the sale. That may involve paying off the mortgage or putting it towards your next property.
What’s the easiest way to sell a house in the UK?
If you’re looking for the easiest way to sell a house fast in the UK – a cash house buyer can be the best solution. One of the key advantages is the ability to skip several time-consuming steps. With a cash buyer, there’s no extensive wait for potential buyers, no need for negotiations, and no requirement for multiple property viewings. Many sellers will go through all the stages of selling, only to get to the last stage for the deal to fall through.
With us at Sold.co.uk, you can choose to sell on the open market or get it sold through our cash buying service. With the latter option, you can choose the date you want to sell. This can help you plan for the future.
All you have to do is get in touch to receive a free cash offer. If you’re happy, you can agree to sell your property. There are no stipulations like having to renovate, redecorate, or any other time-consuming requirements.
Whether you choose the traditional route of selling your home or going for a cash house buying option, one of the most important factors is being able to plan ahead. Many fail to take into account their timeframes and how the sale of the house can impact their future plans. Some people need a quick sale yet waste time by trying to list the property and waiting for buyers. Being realistic and prepared for the future will help to make sure that your selling process works for you.
