Selling or renting your home should feel exciting, not overwhelming. With the right preparation and expert guidance, you can showcase your property at its absolute best and attract serious buyers or tenants from day one.
Before your home can be listed, there are a few key steps to take, and we’ll make sure you’re fully supported at each one.
A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for all properties being sold or let. If your home is going on the rental market, it must have a rating of E or above. Any major upgrades or changes to your property’s energy efficiency may require a new certificate. Homes built within the last 10 years are usually covered, but if you’re unsure or your EPC has expired, we can arrange this for you.
If you’re a landlord, you’ll also need to ensure your property’s electrics are safe. This is done through an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which must be completed at least every five years.
Finally, before your marketing appointment, please share as much detail as possible about your property’s design. From the interior designer’s name to your design inspiration, or even the make of your bathroom tiles, these finer touches help us tell the story of your home and attract the right buyers or tenants.
The marketing of your property is paramount to achieving the best result. The photography and floorplan are a pivotal part of your listing so it’s vital that your home is showcased effectively, presenting its best features.
We work with some of the best property photographers that make your home stand out and help capture the attention of prospective buyers and tenants.
We’d recommend either taking the time to fully clean your home or getting it professionally cleaned – prior to the marketing appointment. It’s also worth moving bulky objects that take away from the property’s aesthetic, such as gym equipment, as it can make the room look smaller or give a completely different vibe than the one you are going for. Ensuring windows and reflective surfaces are smear-free, tidying clutter, moving bins away from the property and making sure all outside spaces are tidied, cleaned and well- presented will help us showcase your property at its best.
These recommendations may seem pedantic and over the top, but make all the difference between a good listing and an exceptional one. These marginal gains all contribute to us maximising the result for your home.
Following the hard work you’ve put into presenting your home beautifully for the marketing appointment, it’s now time to reap the rewards and show prospective buyers or tenants around your home.
First impressions on the initial physical viewing should not be underestimated. As a potential buyer or tenant, your first thought is ‘can I see myself living here? Therefore, people often prefer the homeowner isn’t present at a first viewing. This allows the viewer to take in the home, re-imagine how they’d live in the space and lastly allow them focus on the viewing rather than trying to be polite and please you, the seller.
How you currently live in the space, your design choices and the feel or vibe of a home are often the reason why a buyer will want to live and buy your home. Properties that are vacant and unfurnished are often the hardest to sell as they create no emotional connection with a prospective purchaser and the lack of furniture makes it harder for them to envision the space, how they’d lay it out and whether the space meets their needs. We’ve got a good network of staging companies that we can recommend.
When it comes to second viewings – dependent on the viewer – it may be a good idea for you to be present on the viewing too. The fact they’ve having another look means they like your home, so there’s no need to worry about giving a tour or selling the benefits. Generally, the purpose for a second viewing is for a prospective buyer to think about the practicality of living there. Of course, you will always be best placed to answer any questions about how you live in your home and help reinforce why your home would meet the needs of a prospective purchaser.
Consulting your solicitor about the required documentation for selling your home can help speed up the process. If you are looking for competent, responsive and efficient solicitors, please ask us. We can recommend excellent solicitors that we work with consistently.
Prior to selling, completing the Property Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Fixtures Form (TA10) and, if you’re selling a property with an underlying lease, the Leasehold Information Form (TA7) will enable a swifter process through to exchange.
Necessary documents required to sell your home are as follows:
-Your ID
-Proof of address
-Proof of ownership
-The EPC
If applicable, the following documentation will also be required:
-Any associated mortgage and secured loan details
-Building regulations or planning consent documents, crucial if the property is a listed building or in a conservation area
-Guarantees such as roof work or damp proofing
-Third-party notices or covenant consent
If you are selling a leasehold property additionally you will also require:
-The Leasehold Property Information Form
-The share certificate, if applicable
-Contact details of the freeholder, landlord or management company
-The latest service charge and ground rent statements
-Up-to-date buildings insurance
Prior to successfully letting your property, the below documents need to be in place and copies to be supplied to tenants:
• Gas safety record
• The EICR
• The EPC
• Property inventory
Your home may be subject to additional inventory requirements, in the case of a short let.
In the case of the tenancy being an AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy), the government’s How to Rent guide and specific documentation of the chosen deposit protection scheme should be provided
Selling or letting your house doesn’t need to be complicated. By taking the time to get to know you and your aspirations, we’ll tailor our services to your needs and help you realise the value of your property. Our editorial-quality marketing means our listings stand out. Our professionalism and experience also make us the ideal choice for landlords. We treat your home as if it’s our own. We also offer property management so you don’t need to worry about a thing.
With the right advice, listing your home for sale or rent can be an exciting and seamless experience. From getting photo shoot-ready to welcoming would- be buyers, let us guide you through the process of maximising the potential of your home.
We’re on hand at every part of the process – whether that’s photography, documentation, certificates or viewings. Nothing is too much to ask, we’ll ensure everything is in place before you can receive an offer.