Top five things for preparing for your move that will ensure success

For many of us lockdown brought the shortcomings of where we live into sharp focus. Sure enough, as lockdown has eased the property market has quickly gained momentum and the recent introduction of a Stamp Duty Holiday has further motivated people to move.

Whether you are hoping to downsize or acquire some extra space, we can offer advice for those looking to get their property ready to sell. We understand that selling your home can be a lengthy process. Follow our top five tips for reducing the time it takes to sell:

Get your paperwork ready

There is a lot of work needed to get your house sale-ready and in many cases finding all the relevant paperwork can take several weeks, so now is the time to begin gathering it. This also means that if something is missing, you can begin to take steps to get the replacement paperwork. During the course of your sale, you will be asked for evidence such as:

• A copy of the lease if the property is leasehold
• Documentation related to the freehold if you own the freehold
• FENSA certificates for replacement windows
• Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Relevant building restrictions
• Building regulation certificate when alterations have taken place
• A Gas Safety certificate for a new boiler

It might seem like a lot but preparing all this paperwork will ensure that you can get your property transaction off the ground quickly and smoothly.

Get your finances in order

It is a difficult time for many people financially right now, but if you are thinking of taking out a mortgage later this year, now is the time to look at your finances. Make a note of your household bills and expenses and see if there is anywhere you could make savings. Work out if there is anything you have had to do without during lockdown which you can cut out of your spending for the long term. It is also a good idea to check everything is up to date on your credit report and see if any errors or out-of-date information have impacted your score.

Calculate the cost

With any property move, there are costs involved from removal vans to storage and depending on how much furniture and belongings you have, the costs can really vary. Usually, the biggest cost will come from hiring a removal company; however, vehicle hire, storage, pets and postal redirection can all add up. Explore the different options out there for you to find one that best suits your budget.

Be transparent

Covenants on the deed, land boundaries on the property, potential issues with the property or surrounding area and any other information, good or bad, that you believe potential buyers should be aware of needs to be made clear. We have a questionnaire which includes lots of questions with all the information you will need to disclose and gather which will make this process much quicker, easier and ensures we discuss relevant information at the correct stage.

Spruce up your current home

First impressions count but making small tweaks to your home can make a huge difference. Spruce up your garden, tidy up any cupboards, declutter worktops and dig out your tools to complete those unfinished DIY projects. All of this will help when it comes to showing your house to potential buyers.

Phillip Bishop comments: “There is lots you can be doing to start the process, to ensure you sell in the fastest possible time and at the best price.

Gathering all this paperwork may seem daunting, but it will make selling your property much easier and help ensure a speedy process. Our Property Information Questionnaire is a great starting point and will take you through all the information required succinctly and simply.  If you would like a copy please let me know and we look forward to hopefully working with you in the future.”