Preparing your property

Selling your property needn’t be a stressful time. Once you have appointed us to handle your sale, we will of course do our very best to ensure that the process is as smooth and as stress free as possible.

One way in which you can help in this process, is by presenting your property in the best possible manner and here are just a few tips to help you in your preparation.

First impressions

With a little time and effort you can make your property much easier to sell and more attractive to potential buyers.

Most buyers form their first impressions of a house before they’ve even walked through the door. So it’s a good idea to tidy up the outside of your home by repainting your front door, tidying up your garden and planting some flowers and adding bright and colourful hanging baskets. Also make sure your path is clean and tidy too.

Spring clean

Your home should be clean and tidy. It’s the easiest thing to do but can create maximum impact. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of cleanliness and tidiness.

Always make the beds and never leave clothes lying around.

Make a special effort in the high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure all the surfaces are clean and tidy, put towels and dishes away and give all the taps a good shine. And don’t forget the floors! A proper clean will also make your home smell fresh and appealing – just a few drops of a highly scented disinfectant can also leave a wonderful aroma throughout.

Pets

Although we are a nation of pet lovers, we do not love the smell of animals! Please remember to clean all areas of hairs and litter trays, open windows and use fragrance diffusers where possible.

Repairs

Everything from a cracked tile to a dripping tap, a broken door knob, cracked glass pane or a leak need to be fixed. A quick repair job on anything that is broken, torn, stained or damaged will help make your property more appealing.

De-cluttering

Clutter makes homes look smaller and disorganised. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to remove as many personal items as possible but without leaving the rooms bare or sterile. Also remember to tidy away books, toys and knick knacks.

Garden

If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, maximise its potential by cutting the grass, pruning the bushes, planting some nice flowers and adding some garden furniture so that potential owners can picture themselves sitting in the sun on a nice day!

Keep it neutral

Keeping the colour scheme neutral is a good thing. Potential buyers can walk throughout your home and visualise putting their own stamp on it without having to remove any outlandish décor first! If possible, paint your house white – it will make the place seem bigger, brighter and cleaner!

Documents

Once you’re ready to put the property on the market, it’s important to have all necessary documents in place. These include:

• Proof of identity. You will need to show your solicitor your driving licence or passport and proof of address such a bank statement or recent utility bill.
• Property title deeds – if you don’t have these, you should contact the solicitor used when you purchased your current property. Your solicitor will also need the official copies of your title deeds which can be obtained from the Land Registry.
• Fittings and contents form (TA10). This will indicate what’s included in the sale of the property.
• Property information form (TA6). As the seller, you are required to complete this form.
  Leasehold/Shared Freehold documents. If the property is leasehold then a copy of the lease is required. If the property retains a share of the freehold, the relevant documents are required i.e. the share certificate if a company has been set up to manage the freehold.
  Copies of documents referenced in the property information form i.e. FENSA certificates for replacement windows, building regulations sign off etc.
• Management Information Pack. This is obtained by either the seller or their solicitor from the freeholder of the managing agent if the property is leasehold. It can take several weeks to arrive, so it is imperative that it’s paid for (by the seller) and ordered as soon as the selling process commences.
• Energy Performance Certificate . The EPC needs to be included when a property is sold.

Solicitor

Make sure that you appoint a solicitor at the same time as instructing your agent. This will avoid any unnecessary delays once you have accepted an offer on your property.

Due to our local connections, we are always happy to recommend surveyors, solicitors and mortgage brokers if required. Just contact your local office for further details.