1. Find an estate agent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis first step is one of the most important. Your estate agent is the person who will answer your questions, give you advice, negotiate buyers\u2019 offers, and make the process of selling your home as smooth as possible. They need to be someone who knows your local area well, and who you click with.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0For that reason, it\u2019s a good idea to meet at least three estate agents. This usually happens when you invite them over to value<\/a> your home (which should always be free!). These meetings are a good way to get a feel for each agent, ask them about the market, and ensure they can do the best for your home.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAvoid the temptation to go with the person who gives you the highest valuation<\/a>, as this isn\u2019t necessarily what you\u2019ll achieve – it\u2019s about being ambitious, but realistic! When you\u2019ve made your choice, just get in contact and tell your agent that you want to go on the market, which is known as \u2018instructing\u2019.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re really prepared, you might even try an online valuation<\/a> before the agents visit your home, so you have a rough idea of how much your home might fetch. It\u2019s a useful way to get the conversation started and to set your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Put your home on the market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is where your estate agent\u2019s expertise will kick in. Any good estate agent will write a full property advert and take professional photographs, organise a \u2018for sale\u2019 board, make your home visible on property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla (where 98% of buyers begin their search), actively look for buyers they know are in the area, and give you tips on making your home looks its best for viewings.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your package, they can also organise and host viewings for you, or you can host them yourself.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this is happening, you have a great opportunity to get ahead with a few other things, including finding a conveyancer<\/a> and looking for your next home, if you haven\u2019t started already.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bethany-opler-h95mT1m9Zzs-unsplash-1024x752.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Get in early with conveyancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A conveyancer is someone who deals with all the paperwork surrounding your property sale or purchase. Some buyers and sellers use a solicitor, but a conveyancer might be a better option as they specialise solely in property transactions.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You won\u2019t technically need them until you\u2019ve had an offer accepted on your new home, or you\u2019ve accepted an offer from a buyer on your existing property. However, since there\u2019s so much paperwork involved, it\u2019s a great idea to find your conveyancer as soon as you know you want to move. That way, they can help you get everything lined up and ready for when the action starts. This could reduce delays, and get you into your new home with fewer hitches!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you don\u2019t know where to start finding a conveyancer, your estate agent will probably be able to help. Alternatively, try a company like Optimus<\/a>. They have a selected panel of conveyancers who they can match you to depending on your specific needs, which takes a lot of the guesswork away.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Look for your new home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unless you already have somewhere to move to (for example, you\u2019re moving in with family or a partner who has a home), you\u2019ll also have the exciting task of finding your dream home.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding your new home is a big project in itself. One of the most important parts is understanding your finances and how much you can afford. You may wish to use a broker to find out how far your finances will go, and which mortgage deals you\u2019ll be offered, before you start – that way you\u2019ll know your price range. A mortgage broker will also help you get your Agreement in Principle<\/a>, which boils down to a lender saying \u2018this is how much we would lend this buyer\u2019. It will help you make a convincing offers when you stumble on your dream home.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll find a full guide to the home-buying timeline right here<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Consider offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All being well, you\u2019ll start to receive offers on your existing home. This is where your estate agent really comes into their own.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019ll field different offers from different buyers, try to get you the best price, and advise you on which buyer might be best for you. While the amount is a huge factor in selecting your buyer, there might be an advantage to choosing a lower offer; for example, if someone is a first-time buyer, their offer might be less but they won\u2019t be part of a chain, which could speed up the buying process significantly.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Accept an offer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With the help of your agent, you might choose to take one of the offers or, if you want, turn it down and wait on the market a bit longer. It\u2019s all up to you. If you have an offer you like, then congratulations – you\u2019re on your way!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tom-thain-_0URG2ZegMc-unsplash-1024x575.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n7. Help your estate agent and conveyancer with queries and paperwork<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Remember finding your conveyancer all the way back in step three? This is where your quick thinking has an advantage. With their help, you should have all the paperwork<\/a> you need to hand in order to sell your home.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAt this stage, your buyer\u2019s conveyancer will probably be busy with paperwork too. They may submit queries to you and your estate agent. Deal with these as speedily as possible to make sure things don\u2019t get held up.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This stage is where most complications arise. It\u2019s usually not anyone\u2019s fault, just a by-product of a complicated system that involves lots of moving parts! Take a deep breath, sit tight, and try to relax. With luck, the process will be over soon.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this point you may also have found your new home, if you\u2019ve been looking for one. When your offer is accepted on a home, get on to your mortgage lender and ask them to finalise their mortgage offer<\/a>, so you can get your own purchase underway.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Exchange contracts and agree a completion date<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When all the paperwork is submitted, searches<\/a> completed, and queries answered, you\u2019ll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With your conveyancer and estate agent\u2019s help, you\u2019ll be in a position to exchange your contract<\/a> with the buyer, and agree a completion date – that\u2019s the day your home officially becomes theirs, and your new home officially becomes yours!
<\/p>\n\n\n\nTry to be as accommodating as possible during this stage, as a long chain can require lots of maneuvering\u00a0 to ensure everyone can move at the right time. Once you have your completion date, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Completion day<\/a> means the funds from your sale will be transferred between your buyer\u2019s and your conveyancers, and your home will be officially sold!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid the temptation to go with the person who gives you the highest valuation<\/a>, as this isn\u2019t necessarily what you\u2019ll achieve – it\u2019s about being ambitious, but realistic! When you\u2019ve made your choice, just get in contact and tell your agent that you want to go on the market, which is known as \u2018instructing\u2019. If you\u2019re really prepared, you might even try an online valuation<\/a> before the agents visit your home, so you have a rough idea of how much your home might fetch. It\u2019s a useful way to get the conversation started and to set your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where your estate agent\u2019s expertise will kick in. Any good estate agent will write a full property advert and take professional photographs, organise a \u2018for sale\u2019 board, make your home visible on property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla (where 98% of buyers begin their search), actively look for buyers they know are in the area, and give you tips on making your home looks its best for viewings. Depending on your package, they can also organise and host viewings for you, or you can host them yourself. While this is happening, you have a great opportunity to get ahead with a few other things, including finding a conveyancer<\/a> and looking for your next home, if you haven\u2019t started already. A conveyancer is someone who deals with all the paperwork surrounding your property sale or purchase. Some buyers and sellers use a solicitor, but a conveyancer might be a better option as they specialise solely in property transactions. You won\u2019t technically need them until you\u2019ve had an offer accepted on your new home, or you\u2019ve accepted an offer from a buyer on your existing property. However, since there\u2019s so much paperwork involved, it\u2019s a great idea to find your conveyancer as soon as you know you want to move. That way, they can help you get everything lined up and ready for when the action starts. This could reduce delays, and get you into your new home with fewer hitches! If you don\u2019t know where to start finding a conveyancer, your estate agent will probably be able to help. Alternatively, try a company like Optimus<\/a>. They have a selected panel of conveyancers who they can match you to depending on your specific needs, which takes a lot of the guesswork away. Unless you already have somewhere to move to (for example, you\u2019re moving in with family or a partner who has a home), you\u2019ll also have the exciting task of finding your dream home. Finding your new home is a big project in itself. One of the most important parts is understanding your finances and how much you can afford. You may wish to use a broker to find out how far your finances will go, and which mortgage deals you\u2019ll be offered, before you start – that way you\u2019ll know your price range. A mortgage broker will also help you get your Agreement in Principle<\/a>, which boils down to a lender saying \u2018this is how much we would lend this buyer\u2019. It will help you make a convincing offers when you stumble on your dream home. You\u2019ll find a full guide to the home-buying timeline right here<\/a>. All being well, you\u2019ll start to receive offers on your existing home. This is where your estate agent really comes into their own. They\u2019ll field different offers from different buyers, try to get you the best price, and advise you on which buyer might be best for you. While the amount is a huge factor in selecting your buyer, there might be an advantage to choosing a lower offer; for example, if someone is a first-time buyer, their offer might be less but they won\u2019t be part of a chain, which could speed up the buying process significantly. With the help of your agent, you might choose to take one of the offers or, if you want, turn it down and wait on the market a bit longer. It\u2019s all up to you. If you have an offer you like, then congratulations – you\u2019re on your way! Remember finding your conveyancer all the way back in step three? This is where your quick thinking has an advantage. With their help, you should have all the paperwork<\/a> you need to hand in order to sell your home. At this stage, your buyer\u2019s conveyancer will probably be busy with paperwork too. They may submit queries to you and your estate agent. Deal with these as speedily as possible to make sure things don\u2019t get held up. This stage is where most complications arise. It\u2019s usually not anyone\u2019s fault, just a by-product of a complicated system that involves lots of moving parts! Take a deep breath, sit tight, and try to relax. With luck, the process will be over soon. At this point you may also have found your new home, if you\u2019ve been looking for one. When your offer is accepted on a home, get on to your mortgage lender and ask them to finalise their mortgage offer<\/a>, so you can get your own purchase underway. When all the paperwork is submitted, searches<\/a> completed, and queries answered, you\u2019ll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With your conveyancer and estate agent\u2019s help, you\u2019ll be in a position to exchange your contract<\/a> with the buyer, and agree a completion date – that\u2019s the day your home officially becomes theirs, and your new home officially becomes yours! Try to be as accommodating as possible during this stage, as a long chain can require lots of maneuvering\u00a0 to ensure everyone can move at the right time. Once you have your completion date, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Completion day<\/a> means the funds from your sale will be transferred between your buyer\u2019s and your conveyancers, and your home will be officially sold!<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Put your home on the market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Get in early with conveyancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Look for your new home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Consider offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Accept an offer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n7. Help your estate agent and conveyancer with queries and paperwork<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Exchange contracts and agree a completion date<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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