“If you have made the choice to move on to new horizons but are unsure of where to begin, you have come to the right place. Our guide to selling your home will take you step-by-step through the sales process that we employ at ELdridge Estates. We will also provide you with some useful tips on how to sell your house effectively.”
Step 1: Getting ready for the sale
Although it may appear self-evident, many people still fail to recognise the significance of making a good first impression. If you've made the decision to put your home up for sale, it should be your top priority to get it ready for prospective buyers. The task is not overly complicated, but the outcomes can be astonishing.
Prioritise enhancing your home's curb appeal and eliminating clutter. Improving your front garden and giving your front door a fresh coat of paint can significantly boost your property's appeal to potential buyers. Likewise, removing everyday items like vacuums, laundry, and personal hygiene products can drastically alter how your home is perceived. The more you do, the more favorable the response from viewers will be.
Remember that buyers are more likely to fall in love with your home if they can imagine themselves living there. Thus, concealing personal belongings and branded items can help them envision what it would be like to reside in your property, which can increase the interest you receive once your home or apartment is on the market.
Step 2: Getting your home valued
When it comes to selling your property, the first piece of advice you should receive is to make sure you obtain an accurate property valuation. Unfortunately, some agents may inflate the price of your property to win your business, but at Eldridge, we believe in providing realistic valuations that will not only secure you the best possible price, but also ensure a speedy sale. Of course, if you're willing to wait for a higher return, we can discuss this as well.
Our valuers are highly knowledgeable and will provide you with the most up-to-date market information, along with helpful tips to sell your home if necessary. We understand that you have a busy schedule, so we're very flexible and will work with you to schedule a valuation that suits your needs.
Step 3: Instructing us to handle your sale
After obtaining an accurate valuation of your property and deciding to move forward with the sale, the next crucial step is to entrust us with the task of handling the sale on your behalf. Our dedicated sales team will take over from there and guide you through the entire process with their expertise.
At Eldridge, we place great importance on providing exceptional service to all our clients, ensuring that you never feel like just another customer. As a small boutique estate agency, we take a personalised approach to property sales, providing you with the support and attention you need to navigate the sale successfully. With us, you can rest assured that you won't be alone in the process.
Step 4: Instructing a solicitor
At this stage, it's crucial to address all the necessary legal aspects of the sale. Just like selecting the right estate agent, choosing a reputable solicitor is essential for a smooth and trouble-free transaction.
With the internet at your disposal, you have plenty of options to research local solicitors before hiring them. However, if you prefer, we can recommend a firm that will meet your specific requirements and needs. At Eldridge, we're always happy to assist you in any way we can.
Step 5: Getting your property seen
With a solicitor in place and our team at your side, it's time to kick off your property sale. Our in-house marketing specialists are dedicated to ensuring that your property receives the maximum exposure possible, using both traditional and modern methods.
We embrace modern technology, actively promoting your property through social media channels and major property portals such as Onthemarket and Zoopla. We also have an extensive database of potential buyers to whom we market new listings digitally.
Step 6: Viewings
With our extensive marketing efforts, your property is bound to attract the attention of potential buyers in no time. We'll arrange viewings that suit both you and the buyer, ensuring that the process is convenient for you.
We understand that your time is valuable, so unless you instruct us otherwise, we'll accompany every prospective buyer during viewings. This approach allows us to gather feedback from viewers, enabling us to provide you with valuable insights that can help you sell your property quickly. Moreover, buyers tend to be more open with agents than with sellers, making accompanied viewings an essential part of our service.
Step 7: Regular updates
Keeping you in the loop is crucial during the sales process, and we understand the importance of effective communication. Our team will keep you updated on every aspect of your property's sale, from analysing the local market conditions to providing you with comprehensive feedback received from viewers.
Selling your property with us means that you can avoid the frustration of uncertainty, as we'll ensure that you're fully aware of what's happening and why. Our team is committed to keeping you informed throughout the entire process, and we're always available to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your listing.
Step 8: Receiving an offer
The sales process is heating up, and we understand that you'll want to be informed as soon as a buyer shows genuine interest in your property. That's why we prioritise contacting you immediately upon receiving an offer from a prospective buyer, both verbally and in writing.
In addition, we'll provide you with a detailed outline of any conditions that come with the offer. Our team also conducts thorough checks on the buyer to ensure that they have the capacity to proceed before you accept the offer.
Step 9: Offer acceptance and legal stuff
Congratulations on accepting an offer! You’re now one step closer to completing your sale, but there are still a few important things to take care of.
To start, we will create a memorandum of sale, which includes all the details of the offer, such as the agreed sale price, and ask for your solicitor’s details to begin the process of moving towards an exchange of contracts. Our sales team will remain available throughout the process to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
It's also important to conduct surveys during this stage, and we'll be in contact with the buyer's solicitors to ensure that everything runs smoothly. You'll also need to set dates for the exchange of contracts and your proposed completion date, which we can help you with.
Step 10: Exchange of contracts
After all legal matters have been addressed and a formal mortgage offer is in place, it's time to exchange contracts. This involves signing contracts by both you and your buyer.
Once this is completed, the buyer's solicitor will transfer the agreed deposit to your solicitor, making the sale legally binding. At this point, you can set a completion date.
Step 11: Completion!
When the completion day arrives, the buyer's legal team will transfer the remaining balance of your property sale to your solicitor. Once your solicitor confirms the receipt of the payment, your sale is considered complete.