IS YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER?

Selling your home can feel daunting particularly if it is your first time or your first time in a while but with a bit of preparation, you can clear some of the hurdles that lead to delays and be buyer-ready from the off.

Our top preparation tips are 1) choosing the right agent and 2) checking you have all the documents you need:

1)    Choosing the right agent can greatly reduce the stress involved in selling your home.  We recommend getting a valuation from at least two agents and consider some key questions before instructing them:

• How experienced is the agent in your local area?  Are they well established with a good track record in selling similar or similarly priced homes where you are and know the area well?
• Do you want to work with them?  Rapport is important in the vendor/agent relationship so make sure you understand how they will be selling your home and when you expect to hear from them.
• What are their fees and what’s included in the fee offer?  What else will you have to pay for?  Remember, your final pot of money is the sold house price minus agency fee (not forgetting solicitors fee, stamp duty and removal fees too!).
• Is the agent experienced in conveyancing and able to guide you through from offer to a successful sale?
• When selling your home, an agent is acting on your behalf with your best interests in mind and not those of the buyer.  Pick an agent that you feel will be able to represent  you.

2)    There will be a detailed property information form that any agent will ask you to complete to give would-be buyers clear information on your home.  Some key documents to have on hand are:

• HM Land Registry title documents
• Gas checks completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer (or Corgi-registered engineer prior to 2009)
• Electrical checks – an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or a NAPIT or NICEIC certificate/report from a registered electrical competent person
• FENSA or CERTAS certificates for windows
• Planning permission for any major work carried out
• Building regulation completion certificates and builder’s guarantee certificates for alterations or additions
• Subsidence guarantees/warranties
• Damp guarantees/warranties
• Party wall agreements (if relevant)
• If a listed building, listed building consent for interior and exterior works
• If your home is in a conservation area, conservation area consent for works
• Any title insurance policies you may have taken out to solve title defects
• If you don’t have all this information, don’t panic!  An experienced agent will be able to you source information and navigate the sales process.

Jeremy Swan Estate Agents have been based in Great Missenden and the Chilterns for over fifteen years with a small but dedicated team committed to exceptional customer service.  We are expert in matching buyers and sellers and embedded in the local community.  If you would like us to value your home, please give us a call on 01494 890990 or pop into our office located on Great Missenden High Street to meet the team who would welcome the opportunity to work with you to sell your home.