Step by step guide to selling your home

As house sales can seem daunting, and many people only go through this process a few times throughout their lives, it is often difficult to know where to start. With Sanderson Young’s handy 10-step guide, we hope to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Step 1 – Accurate valuation

Our aim is to achieve the best possible price for your home in the current market, with realistic timescales attached to this goal. Our expert valuers carry out hundreds of valuations every month, giving us unrivalled knowledge of property values in your area.

This is why we consistently achieve the best possible price for our clients, building a fantastic reputation in the North East.

Please email us at contact@sandersonyoung.co.uk for a FREE valuation, or click on the link below

Step 2 – Selecting an estate agent

When choosing an estate agent, consider their opening hours, when they will be available to conduct viewings on your behalf, their high street presence and what kind of marketing your property will receive. These are critical to obtaining the maximum exposure and price for your property.

You should also check if your agent will organise your government-required Energy Performance Certificate on your behalf or if you need to arrange this yourself. Sanderson Young can arrange this for you. You must have commissioned an EPC before your property can be marketed.

Step 3 – Instructing a solicitor

The successful sale of your property can be reliant on the instruction of an efficient and experienced solicitor. It is a good idea to do some research and make a decision before you put your property on the market as this will help to avoid delays.

Step 4 – Presenting your property

First impressions are vital and therefore it is important to present your property in the best possible light. Our valuers may recommend works that are needed prior to initial photography being taken, which can be arranged at a time convenient for you.

Consider addressing any DIY jobs you have been meaning to get done, add a fresh coat of paint where necessary and try to declutter to make rooms appear larger.

Our professional team can then take photographs, create 360° tours, property videos, produce interactive floorplans and write comprehensive property descriptions, all in just one visit.

Step 5 – Marketing your property

To find your perfect buyer you need to give your property maximum exposure across a wide range of media.

Sanderson Young place a huge importance on the highest levels of professional standards, marketing your home to its full potential. Digital media is increasingly important, and exposure on our own state of the art responsive website comes as standard, as well as promotion on national portals including onthemarket.com.

We also offer competitive marketing packages designed bespoke to your property, in order to tailor your individual needs and highlight the key features of your home. These can be discussed with our valuers.

Step 6 – Accompanied viewings

Our professional and experienced sales team are at hand to accompany viewings in office hours and at weekends; essential for those clients with busy lifestyles or for properties which are vacant. Accompanied viewings also mean we can use our expertise to help sell your property, answering vital questions from buyers and also encouraging interest and offers at the appointment.

Step 7 – Receiving an offer

As soon as an offer is received we will notify you both verbally and in writing.

Any special conditions of the offer will also be stated in writing and we will fully qualify each buyer to ensure they are able to proceed on your sale.

Step 8 – Offer agreed

Once you accept an offer we will do the following:

1. Prepare a memorandum of sale
2. Write to all parties to confirm the agreed price
3. Ask you to confirm your solicitor’s details

Your solicitor will send out a draft contract to the buyer’s solicitor who will then carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage you will also be able to agree on dates for the survey on your property, exchange of contracts and proposed date for completion.

Our designated sales progression department will then handle your sale through to exchange and completion, keeping you informed every step of the way. It is imperative in today’s marketplace that you have a committed and experienced sales agent to act on your behalf as we are currently experiencing timescales of 10-12 weeks with a mortgage purchase.

There are no legal obligations until contracts are signed.

Step 9 – Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts occurs when the following have been confirmed and agreed:

1. Preliminary enquiries following receipt of draft contract
2. Evidence of a good title
3. Specific issues highlighted in the Lease, if applicable
4. Local search queries
5. Fixtures and fittings to be included in the sale
6. The buyer’s mortgage offer

Once the contract has been signed by both parties the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) will be telegraphically transferred or paid in the form of a banker’s draft by the buyer’s solicitor to your solicitor. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement.

Step 10 – Completion

Completion is when the residual monies (usually 90%) are transferred from the buyer’s solicitor to your solicitor’s account.

Your solicitor will call you when the money has cleared in your account and will inform us to release the keys.

Congratulations, your property is now sold!