Preparing your house for sale
As the housing market in England is open and ready for business, we need the estimated half a million people who were looking to move prior to the crisis to start making plans to enable the industry to recover quickly. Residential Partner, Alison Treble discusses what you need in place to be ready to move:
- Decide on the Estate Agent you will use. All Estate Agents are working whether remotely or back in the office and able to offer advice on what documents you will need to advertise your property for sale.
- Consider whether there are any works you can do (either minor or major) that may help to make your home more saleable.
- Collate all the legal documents you will need to supply to your buyer or their solicitor. These may include planning and building regulation consents, guarantees for works that have been carried out, compliance certificates for any boiler replacement or electrical works and a FENSA certificate for any replacement windows or doors. It is far better to do this whilst you have time rather than when you are under pressure in the midst of a sale.
- Decide and instruct your solicitor. While some offices maybe closed we are all working remotely and able to prepare initial paperwork in readiness for a sale. A solicitor will be able to check and discuss your legal title and advise if there are likely to be any issues. They may also be able to deal with any problems with the title so that they are resolved prior to a sale being agreed. Your solicitor will also be able to supply the standard Property Information and Fittings and Contents forms for you to start completing.
- If you are selling a leasehold property your solicitor will also be able to provide you with the standard forms to complete and will also be able to obtain the additional documents which are required which include copy management accounts, insurance policy, budget and fire risk and asbestos assessments. Collating these documents can take time and again it is far better to prepare these when you have time rather than being under pressure to produce them in a short time period.
- Finally your solicitor will need to make a number of checks to comply with the current Anti Money Laundering Requirements. This can take a little time particularly whist ensuring social distancing rules are observed but needs to be concluded before your solicitor can start any legal work.
With these simple steps you will be ready to market your property. If you would like to speak to the Residential Property team please call 01225 750 000 or email Alison.treble@mogersdrewett.com. Good luck with your sale!