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To Do List Before Selling Your Home

Making the big decision to sell your home can be overwhelming,  it feels like there is sooo much to do (and that’s before you even think about packing). From getting on the market, finding residential property solicitors to securing a new property to move in to, where do you start? Even if you are not a list person, understanding the steps involved to selling your home will make things a whole lot easier. Here is every home owners essential to do list before selling their home. 

Get Your Property On the Market

Once you are sure and confident you wish to sell the first step is to get your home on the market. Finding a buyer can take anything from a few weeks to a few months depending on the market conditions and the price you wish to achieve. Getting your property valued by an experienced, local agent is highly recommended. You may want to book one or two agents to come and value your home before deciding who to sell with. Every agent will have a different approach and commission structure. Choose the one that you feel most comfortable and aligned with as your working relationship matters to get the best results. 

Prepare Your Home For Viewings

Your property agent will be bringing potential buyers to your home to get an offer. You want to make sure your house is presentable and welcoming. Getting a good clean and making sure it feels homely will help buyers envision living there. Think fresh cookies on the counter, made beds and a tidy garden if you have one. You may want to not be home when the agent shows buyers around to make them feel more comfortable and free to explore. Once an agent has found you a buyer, they will make an offer and you are free to accept, refuse or negotiate until you agree on the price. Your agent can guide you through the process to ensure you get the best deal and a strong buyer. 

Choose A Conveyancer

Once a sale is agreed you will instruct residential property solicitors to prepare contracts and arrange the legal transfer of title. You may want to search for ‘conveyancers near me’ to find a property law firm. Searching for top-rated conveyancers is recommended as you want to find a solicitor who is experienced and will ensure the transaction runs smoothly. Choosing a conveyancer who offers a fixed-fee like Waterstone Legal can help you manage costs and avoid high legal fees. After all, you will want to save as much as possible for the big move. 

Prepare For Completion 

Your home could sell faster than you expected, especially if you have the best estate agent and conveyancer working on the sale. Once contracts have exchanged and completed, the legal title will be transferred to the new buyer and you will need to hand over the keys. Making sure you are prepared, have secured a new place to live and move your belongings out ahead of completion is highly recommended. It is never too soon to book the removal vans and get everything prepared so you are all set for the move day. 

Manage Emotions 

Selling your home can be an emotional time, try to manage stress and overwhelm by taking care of yourself and being prepared. This will help keep you calm and focused throughout the sale. Choosing an understanding estate agent and top rated conveyancing solicitors can make a big difference to the ease of the process. You will feel far more relaxed with the right team by your side for support and good advice to help guide you from start to finish. And when the sale is complete and the keys are handed over, you will be fresh and ready for your new adventure.

 

The Wrap Up 

Selling your home can be a stressful time. The good news is with a simple to do list and having the right team of professionals by your side it doesn’t have to be. Getting prepared will make the process a whole lot easier. Start with finding an experienced, local estate agent who will get your home on the market. Make sure it is clean and presentable for viewings to achieve the highest offer. You will want to instruct top rated conveyancing solicitors to handle the legal aspects of the transaction. Your home could sell faster than you expect, typically taking anything from a few weeks to a few months. Make sure you are prepared for completion by securing a new property and arranging for removal of your personal belongings. Upon completion, you can celebrate.

It’s time to hand over the keys and move on to your new chapter.

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Also read: The Ultimate Checklist For Selling Your Property

Tan Cheng
Registered Foreign Lawyer of 23 years and Estate Executive Director of 11 years.
Mandarin, English
Alishba Khan
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Shah Ali
Shah is one of our founding partners with over ten years experience in securing the smooth and successful completions of commercial and residential transactions. Whether embarking on a new business adventure or purchasing your first home, having Shah by your side always turns out to be a good decision.
English, Bengali
Oliverta Mediu
Oliverta is our most glamorous partner, lighting up the office with an infectious positivity. Her client-led approach is focused on finding the most effective, amicable route forward for her clients bringing over ten years of colourful and varied experience to the table. She is a leading expert on resolving challenges across immigration, family and civil matters.
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Lavi Bachchis
Our business manager Lavi believes that every problem has a solution and persists until she finds it. She is driven by curiosity, directing Waterstone Legal to keep up with our changing world whilst upholding our timeless values.
English, Hindi
Marie David
Our front of house runs a tight ship. Marie is your warm and friendly point of contact for everything from enquiries to booking appointments. She goes above and beyond to make sure everything is running smoothly and is always a call or email away.
English

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SDLT UPDATE

Our conveyancing solicitors are dedicated to completing your transactions as quickly as possible before 31 March, 2025 (SDLT increase deadline). However, because of the involvement of multiple parties in your transactions that are beyond our control, we are unable to guarantee completion. Therefore, if completion does not take place by 31 March, 2025, we will not be responsible for any increase in SDLT payable. In the event that your matters are not completed before 1 April, 2025, please make sure you have sufficient funds to cover the additional SDLT.

Please note the following changes:

1. The threshold (being the amount of the purchase price that will be free from Stamp Duty) is currently £250,000. This will be reduced to £125,000.

2. The threshold for First-time Buyers Relief over which SDLT will be payable is currently £425,000. This will be reduced to £300,000.

3. The maximum purchase price for which First-Time Buyers Relief (as above) can be claimed at all is currently £625,000. This will be reduced to the previous level of £500,000.

If you are purchasing a property, and are in any doubt please visit the governments stamp duty calculator at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#!/intron. Where possible we will have given you advice on the different amounts payable before and after the change but if you have any further queries, then please do let us know.