Step 1. Make sure you get a professional comparable report
You need to know what similar properties have been marketed in your locality, how much they were marketed for, what they actually sold for and how long the process took.
Step 2. You need to select the right agent
When choosing an agent, do your homework. Are they accredited? How did they conduct themselves at the valuation? Are you happy with their service and their communication? Can they do out of hours viewings to meet the needs of buyers?. How easy are they to contact? When will they be able to conduct viewings and what kind of marketing with your property receive. If you are selling an investment, does the agent understand investment properties GROI and gross yields? Do they let and manage property and if so, do they have a list of investors waiting to buy?
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. There are often advantages in using a local solicitor based in the area you are buying. They may have in depth local knowledge that could prove invaluable to you. We can offer recommendations for you to choose from if required.
Step 4. Presenting your property
People have different reasons for selling, from wanting to pass on an investment property to simply moving home. First impressions count so make sure the presentation of your property is to the highest standard it can be. A freshly painted front door is a logical place to begin. Finish those DIY jobs, freshen walls with a coat of paint and declutter rooms so they feel spacious, light and airy. Acorn can provide floor plans, write detailed descriptions and take professional photographs to maximise your properties appeal.
Step 5 Marketing your property in the right places.
Over 90% of buyers use the internet. Listen to your agent, use their expertise to enhance your chances. Increase the opportunity of a potential buyer seeing your property. We use "Rightmove", which is the number one internet portal in the northeast and "On the Market" which is currently placed number two in the North East as well as our own website, which attracts and collates an extensive list of people who are actually looking for properties to buy now.
Step 6 Accompanied viewings
Properties do sell themselves if presented and priced correctly. Most people do not like to be sold to and our professional viewers are trained to deal with viewers knowing where and when to add value and where not to. Never the less we can do out of hours viewings adding value to the process where appropriate.
Step 7 Receiving an offer
Once an offer has been made we will notify you immediately wherever possible and confirm the offer in writing to you including any special conditions that have been placed as part of the buyers offer. Once an offer is made we will also request details of the nature of the offer (i.e. whether there are funds in place or a property to be sold etc.). This is to help you with your decision making process. If you do accept, now is the time to instruct your solicitor.
Step 8 When you accept the offer
We will inform the buyer of your acceptance and request details of their solicitor. We will ask for the details of your solicitor and prepare a memorandum of sale which contains all of this information plus agreed prices and conditions and provide copies to the solicitors involved. Your solicitors will then send out a draft contract of sale and the buyer's solicitors will then commence the searches. This is the time that the buyer will liaise with their mortgage company to organise any surveys.
Step 9 Exchange of Contracts
Once everything is in place, searches completed satisfactorily, finance in place, details such as any fixtures and fittings to be included, dates agreed etc. then normally a deposit is passed from the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor and a completion date is agreed.
Step 10 Completion
On this date the balance of the monies are transferred into your solicitors account, any outstanding invoices are paid and the balance of the monies are then transferred to their client. I.e. you! Congratulations your sale is complete you have now sold your property. We will then be instructed by your solicitor to release the keys to the new owners.
