Sellers Guide

Know the costs involved

Selling a property involves instructing a number of professionals, all of whom will add to the cost of selling. To start off with there’s your agent… hello… who will charge you a percentage of the price they sell your property for, so it’s in their/our interest to get as much as possible for you. Then there are solicitors for conveyancing, an Energy Assessor for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and a removal firm to transport your belongings. It is also worth checking with your mortgage company to make sure that there are no additional fees for transferring or redeeming your mortgage early.

Know your property value

When selling, it’s tempting to select an agency based on the highest valuation alone, but before you do, consider the following:

• Was the valuation carried out by a professional valuer with over 5 five years of experience and an in-depth knowledge of the Enfield area?
• Was there evidence that the valuation was realistic – such as property details from homes they have sold and prices of properties sold in your street from a reputable online resources like Zoopla or Rightmove?
• Are you confident that the agent concerned could represent your property and get the best price for it?

Equity Estate Agents’ valuers are consummate professionals with years of experience. They have all been through rigorous in-house training and have spent a considerable amount of time in the Enfield area, so you can always be confident of a realistic and genuinely achievable best possible price from them.

Preparing your property for sale

We would always advise that presenting your property in its best possible light is how to get the best possible price for it. Don’t spend a fortune, but a professional clean, a de-cluttering exercise, finishing odd jobs around the house, tidying up front and back gardens/spaces, completing repairs, and adding homely touches such as flowers and table lamps will always help.

Marketing your property

The vast majority of us look for our next home online these days; therefore, your property will be promoted prominently on the main portal sites as well as on our own agency site. Your property details will be presented in our double page local press adverts as well as in our quadruple-fronted window displays, and both of our Enfield offices will share details and candidates to ensure the broadest possible audience for your property. On top of this we have access to the resources of over 1,000 independent agencies through the ‘Move with Us’ network to ensure that if the buyer for your property is out there, we will find them.

Accompanied viewings

Our agents are all professional sales people, knowledgeable about the region, its amenities and your property, and they would be delighted to conduct all viewings if you wish. They are skilled at uncovering buyer wish lists and use viewings as an opportunity to show that your property meets them, deepening relationships for a smoother sale should things progress further.

Taking offers

As professional negotiators, our agents will always attempt to obtain the best possible price for your property. On receipt of an offer they will assess the buyer’s position (cash, mortgage offer in principle, property to sell) and will supply you with all such information, and their own opinion, so you can decide whether to accept.

Progressing the sale

Many people feel that an offer is the end of the story, but far from it. A sale must be professionally managed by a property expert. We need to liaise with all those in the chain, their agents and their solicitors to ensure that issues are highlighted and resolved as quickly as possible, mortgage offers, surveys, valuations and fixtures and fittings negotiations are completed successfully and the sale can move forward at pace. Communication is key and we have a team dedicated to the progression of sales to completion.

Instructing a solicitor

It is good practice to have a solicitor in mind from the very start so that once you have received an offer you wish to progress with, your solicitor and the buyers’ can start to move the legal side along. We have a number of excellent solicitors that we have worked with before and know to be reliable and affordable, but if you wish to choose your own we would suggest selecting a local firm with knowledge of the area.

Buyer’s survey and mortgage offer

All mortgage companies will insist on at least a valuation survey. If the price you’ve achieved does not at least match their valuation they may refuse to lend the entire sum the buyer requires, another reason why a realistic justifiable valuation is so important from the outset. If property values match up, a mortgage offer will be made to the buyer and the sale can progress. The buyer can also request either a Homebuyers report or a Building survey to check the property for structural and other issues. If you are fortunate enough to have a cash buyer, they will have the choice of whether or not to conduct their own surveys.

Exchange and completion

An exchange happens when all solicitors are happy that all issues have been ironed out, all paperwork is in order and a completion date has been agreed. You will be asked to sign contracts and completion will occur on the pre-determined date that can be anything from a few days to a few weeks from exchange. On completion your solicitor will contact you and you can then come to pick up the keys to your new home – congratulations!