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An essential guide and checklist for selling your house
Considering we only move house on average every 15 to 20 years, selling your house can be a huge undertaking. At W.T. Parker, we are here to make this important milestone in your life as straightforward and successful as possible with our checklist and guide for selling your house.
Here are some useful tips on how you can prepare yourself for a successful house sale and move.
Getting your moving house sale finances ready
- Outstanding Debt – before selling your house, you’ll want to have an idea of its current market value. This will enable you to assess any outstanding debt secured against the property. It is advisable to check if there is an early repayment charge for switching to another lender or whether you can take your current mortgage to your new property. This might also be a good opportunity to re-mortgage to a better deal if possible.
- Estate Agent Fees – check carefully what the estate agent fees include and the services they provide. You may find there are many “add ons” to the initial commission fee quoted, which can make a significant difference to the overall charges.
- Conveyancing Fees – these are usually linked directly to the value of the property. Fees will generally be split into two parts: the legal fees and the disbursements. The main disbursements are for the transfer of ownership and the title deeds copy etc.
- Removal Costs – ask friends and family who might have moved recently for recommendations for reliable, local removal firms. Check that they are members of the “British Association of Removers” and make sure you obtain a written quote. Walking them around your home and showing them exactly what needs packing and moving will ensure that you aren’t surprised by extra costs at the end.
- Capital Gains Tax Payments – if the house you are selling is not your primary residence, check what your Capitals Gains Tax liability might be.
Getting your Paperwork Ready for Sale
It is worthwhile putting a folder together which contains all of the documentation that your potential buyer and solicitor will need which is an important part of any selling your house checklist. This can include:
- Land Registry title documents
- Title insurance policies that you may have taken out to solve any title defects
- Gas Safe certificates
- Electrical certification (EICR)
- FENSA/CERTAS certificates for windows
- Any planning permission for works carried out (if applicable)
- Building Regulations compliance certificates (if applicable)
- Any other warranties for work done – damp proofing, cavity wall insulation etc
- Instruction Manuals – boilers, kitchen appliances, underfloor heating systems etc
Energy Performance Certificates
You are required by law to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property if the house is being sold for the first time or it has expired (currently valid for 10 years). It must also reflect any subsequent works that have been carried out to the property to improve its energy performance rating. This part of the selling your house guide and checklist is a legal requirement, you can follow the link here to find Energy Performance Certificates using the UK Government website.
Simple Ideas to Improve the Presentation of your House
- Declutter – try to get rid of as much of the excess as you can. Simple ideas like moving things off the kitchen surfaces, tidying bookshelves and putting toys into neat storage boxes can make such a difference and make your house look bigger!
- Fix minor issues – make sure that all the light bulbs are working and are covered with shades, repair cracked tiles and fill and cover any holes in the walls. Touching up paintwork and giving rooms a fresh lick of paint can also make them seem larger and airier. Mirrors can also create a feeling of extra space in smaller rooms.
- Cleaning – make sure that every surface is sparkly clean! In the bathroom, this means cleaning thoroughly and removing any limescale. Do likewise in the kitchen and also consider having the oven professionally cleaned. Make sure too that the windows are cleaned inside and out; you don’t want potential buyers to see dirty windows in the bright sunlight.
- Tidying outside – tidying up the garden will create a good first impression. It’s also worth jet washing any patios, and garden furniture as this will help potential buyers see how they could use this outdoor space. Hanging baskets and colourful potted plants can also cheer up the front entrance. Don’t forget – first impressions really do matter when selling your home.
- Finishing touches – although it’s a bit of a cliché, fresh flowers not only fragrance your home, but they also look lovely.
Finally, check that all beds are neatly made, cushions are plumped, and there is nothing on the floor that anyone can fall over.
You are now well prepared to embark on your exciting journey of selling your house!
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For further assistance and for a free no-obligation market appraisal valuation call W T Parker on 01246 232156. We are here to help.