Selling Guide

Valuation

Pitching the price of your property correctly is a skill. Too high and you won’t receive any interest. Too low and the property sells for much less than it is worth. An accurate valuation pulls together information from several resources: The cosmetic, general structural condition and future potential of the property, the prices achieved for similar properties in the area. This information is reviewed and an appropriate asking price is offered to you.

Selecting an estate agent

Selecting the right estate agent to represent your interest is most important. Sound local knowledge, well trained highly motivated staff; clear, fair terms of business, a competitive fee structure and a proven history in the market should be high on your list of priorities. The agent that gives you the highest valuation is not always the best for you. Our staff are trained to an exceptionally high standard so you can rely on us.

Obtain an EPC

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a property and its carbon emissions. The Directive requires that all buildings be issued with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) upon construction, sale or rental. Please note that under the terms of this legislation a building is defined as one that uses energy to condition the indoor climate, i.e. buildings with fixed heating or cooling installations. An EPC provides a rating for the energy performance of a building. The ratings are standard so that the energy efficiency of one building can be easily compared with another building of a similar type. The ratings will look similar to a white goods energy rating where an ‘A rating’ indicates a high level of efficiency and G indicates a low level.

Instructing a lawyer

You will need to decide who will do your conveyancing. Conveyancing is the term used to describe the legal process you must go through when buying or selling a property and is carried out by a lawyer. Find out what their fees are, what other legal costs are involved and when these are payable. We can recommend a lawyer if you do not have one.

Presenting your property

Prospective buyers will come to view your property, by appointment arranged by EFPG Estate Agents . Ensure your home is tidy and clean. De-clutter and take down any personal photographs for viewings – it makes the property less personal to you and more of a blank canvas for those looking around.

Marketing your property

To find the right buyer your property needs maximum exposure across a wide range of media. We offer a range of important marketing benefits which will aid in getting you the best possible price.

To raise the profile of your property we always recommend these following methods:

E-mail – The world of technology now enables us to send your property all around the world with a simple click of a button.

Direct marketing – We will contact any prospective purchasers who are registered with us and inform them of your property within minutes of receiving your instructions. Any details will be sent via any methods of communication including emails and SMS alerts. Targeting a direct market of registers applicants ensures we don’t get time wasters.

Website and property portals – Our website is updated instantly and full details of your property will be placed as soon as details have been approved. In addition to advertising on our website, we also advertise in local press and property portals as well as our Facebook page.

Accompanied viewings

EFPG Estate Agents believe that accompanied viewings allow us to share our expert knowledge on your property to achieve competitive offers. The safety of our clients is paramount therefore we never allow prospective buyers to visit un-accompanied.

Receiving an offer

All offers will be reported both verbally and in writing and we will check all offers for their validity and ask for proof of funds. We will also conduct checks under Money Laundering Regulations the Proceeds of Crime Act 2007 the Drug Trafficking Act 1995 and the Terrorism Act 2005 and ensure that any mortgage offer is verified. In the case of multiple offers, we will advise you on the best course of action.

We will always try to achieve the best possible price for your property and act in your best interests throughout the transaction.

Offer agreed

Before an offer is agreed we will check the buyer’s ability to purchase a property. We can also contact the buyer’s personal mortgage adviser to confirm their financial commitment. This minimises the risk of a purchase falling through.

At the point of a sale being agreed, we will liaise with both your lawyer and the purchasers lawyer and prepare the Memorandum of Sale and we will write to all parties confirming the agreed details of the sale.

Your lawyer will request the title deeds from the lender (if appropriate). The lawyer will prepare the draft contract, which details the terms of the sale, and send it to the purchasers lawyer together with all relevant documents. The purchasers solicitor will then start the preliminary checks. The Title Deeds and Lease (if applicable) will be checked and local searches carried out.

Remember that an offer is not legally binding, so until contracts have exchanged your buyer could change their minds without financial loss.

Exchange of Contracts

At this stage both parties become legally committed to the sale, and if it falls through from this point onwards then the deposit is forfeited. Contracts are signed by both parties and the lawyer requests the buyer’s deposit. A completion date is set and agreed upon by both you and the purchaser. Unless agreed otherwise (e.g. a simultaneous exchange and completion) the completion date can be anything up to 28 days from the date of exchange , a deferred completion can also be agreed between the vendor and the purchaser depending on particular circumstances.

Organise your move

Normally both parties will want a short period of time between Exchange of Contracts and completion to organise their move. If you haven’t done so already you should have arranged all packing and removal duties, informed everyone of your change of address and booked any disconnections/re-connections of services. Remember on the date of completion the property is legally owned by the new buyers so allow plenty of time to move out.

Completion

Completion occurs when all outstanding legalities have been completed and the balance of funds are transferred to your lawyer. The lawyer will let you know when this has happened and will also notify us in writing.