Selling Process

In preparation for marketing you need make sure your property is ready and has 'kerb appeal'. Does the front door need a fresh coat of paint? Does the front garden need trimming back? Are the windows clean? First impressions really do count. You must also think about the inside and how well that presents. Can you add value by making certain changes?

On the day of completion the buyer's solicitor will transfer the remaining amount due on the purchase price. Once the money has been received by your solicitor, that's it, completion has taken place. You and ourselves will be called to confirm this and we will be allowed to release keys. The solicitor will pay our fee and take their own fees from the completion monies and, if applicable, pay any remaining monies owed under your own mortgage, before transferring the remaining amount to you.

The first step when thinking of selling is to organise a valuation through a reputable local estate agent. A good valuation isn't necessarily the highest. Any valuation should be supported by good comparable evidence and an understanding of the target audience, given the trends at any given time. A good estate agent should also be looking at the bigger picture and not just the immediate sale. If we think you can increase the value or saleability by making certain changes, we'll tell you. Whether that's a complete refurbishment (subject to affordability) or a lick of paint, we will advise you on how to present you property, should you require us to.

Whilst there is the option to sell privately, it comes attached with huge risks. You choose an estate agent not just for our expertise in valuing your home, but for the added value we provide in the process of selling it. Once the sale is agreed that's when the hard work really begins. For the majority of us, selling our home is the biggest transaction we will ever deal with in life, so picking the correct agent is vital to ensuring you achieve the desired results.

Once you've chosen your estate agent, the marketing process begins. We always make sure the sales team preview the property prior to viewings, so everyone involved knows exactly what's on offer and can speak to potential buyers with confidence and knowledge. Below is a list of some of the marketing we offer:

• Digital photographs taken by one of our professional photographers.
• A colour Floor Plan professionally drawn up.
• Internet marketing through the global portals such as Rightmove, On the Market and our own bespoke website.
• Shop window through our window cards.
• Local and national advertising through media outlets.
• Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• We will also send the details to our extensive network of contacts with property finding and relocation agents.

Once you are happy with the marketing material and we've gone live with your property the viewing process can begin. We promise we will always accompany every viewing. If you are in it is usually best to leave the buyer to wander freely with us and simply make them aware you are available to answer questions if necessary. An anxious owner following a potential buyer around the house can make buyers feel nervous and rushed. Make sure you also listen to feedback, we will be honest so don't take it personally, try to use it as a positive and make changes/adjustments if the same negative feedback continually arises.

We will deal with the negotiation of an offer between the buyer and you 'the seller'. Whilst everyone assumes you will take the highest offer there are several factors to consider, particularly if you have more than one offer. Is the buyer chain free or in a short complete chain (under offer themselves to a first time buyer for example) are they cash buyers or do they have an 'agreement in principle' and can they work to your preferred timescales. We will always qualify potential buyers prior to viewings and will have this information to hand. Whatever the circumstances, you should never feel forced into accepting an offer. Remember we are acting on your behalf, not the buyer's; we will work with you to get the best possible price from someone in the best possible position for you. When considering an offer we will advise on any other interest, viewings, feedback, general market conditions and comparable properties that have sold, so that you can make your decision on an informed basis.

Once the sale has been agreed both parties need to instruct a solicitor. We have a list of conveyancers we can recommend if you require one. Once we have both sets of solicitors' details we send out a memorandum of sale to all parties involved detailing the agreement and allowing the solicitors to make contact.

Once the sale has been agreed and conveyancing is underway the buyers will get their survey on behalf of their mortgage lender, unless they are cash buyers. This will be just a mortgage valuation, or a mortgage valuation and homebuyers report or building survey. Assuming the surveyor agrees that the property is worth what you're buyer is paying the bank will agree to lend the requested amount (mortgage offer). Buyers may also choose to get their own independent surveys.

Once the conveyancing has reached its conclusion and the buyer has their mortgage offer we are ready to exchange. That is when the purchaser lodges their deposit (normally 10% of the purchase price) and contracts are exchanged, making everything legal and binding for both parties. On exchange you must agree a completion date by which you will move out of the property.