We believe it’s important from the outset to fully understand the process of selling a property. Below you will find a simple guide. For a full explanation and help in selling your home contact us at Homecare Estates on 020 8395 8111.

A Home Information Pack is a set of documents, which the Government introduced in an attempt to increase the speed of buying and selling, reduce the number of sales that fall through and improve the environment through energy-efficiency awareness.

Every property being sold in England and Wales now needs to have a Home Information Pack commissioned before it can be officially marketed. Homecare Estates can help you attain a HIP for your property in the quickest possible time.

The pack will contain the following information on your property:

As of 21st May 2010, The Government has suspended the need to have a Home Information Pack in order to sell. However, before being able to put your property on the market, you will still need to have an Energy Performance Certificate. This can be arranged through Homecare Estates.

4. Viewings

We realise that the viewing process can be nerve racking when trying to best impress a potential buyer. We can arrange for viewings to be accompanied by one of our members of staff during office hours or alternatively we can arrange appointments for potential buyers to meet you at a convenient time.

A planned and prepared viewing will provide the least disruption to you whilst enhancing the impact your property has on your prospective purchaser.


5. Negotiating the price

This stage is the most crucial in determining the sale of your property and the amount it will eventually sell for. It can be a real test of nerve and the negotiation of your sale will be a three-way exchange between you, Homecare Estates and the buyer. By weighing up your own circumstances and those of the buyer, and with some guidance from us you can decide on a strategy for successful and realistic negotiations.

Understanding your own circumstances.
Your own circumstances will play a major role in the negotiation process for the sale of your property. You may be under time pressure to get an offer on your current property in order to secure the home you wish to move to. If this is the case you may be willing to settle for a slightly lower offer to keep your new property in sight. You may also not be in a hurry to move which in some cases can allow you to hold out for the best price.

Gauge the market conditions to determine if you can afford to hold out for the asking price, or whether you may be better off accepting any reasonable offer you can generate. Whatever the circumstances be sure to discuss them with one of our advisers and work together to create a strategy for dealing with offers that will get you to the desired outcome as quickly as possible.

Understanding your buyer's position
The buyer's circumstances should also be taken into account when you think about price negotiations. Are they chain-free and able to move quickly? Are they cash buyers? Are they currently in a position that could work to your advantage in terms of a quick transaction? Remember, too, that if the buyer is under time pressure, they are in a weaker bargaining position and you can afford to hold out for a higher offer.

What if the property isn't selling?
If your property is not attracting the interest you first hoped for you need to discuss this with us. There maybe a number of ways to improve this. Lowering the price of the property if the market is slow is an obvious one. Or just waiting to see how the market reacts after a few more months. Analyse the feedback from previous viewings to see if there is anything you can do to improve the property. Consider using two estate agents simultaneously we can advise as to who is best to approach. Remove the property from the market, if the market is slow you may wish to remove your property from the market until it starts to pick up again and start again afresh. Wait it out, not every property sells immediately and your continued patience might just earn you the sale in the end.


6. Accepting the offer

If you have accepted an offer for the sale of your property your property is now officially 'under offer'. You are not legally committed to the sale at this stage and you can still listen to other offers if you choose, although we always recommend as a goodwill gesture and a show of serious intent that you remove the property from the market.

Similarly, the buyer has the right to pull out of the purchase at any time up to the point of exchanging contracts. So, although things maybe moving nicely, until contracts have been officially exchanged, the sale is not finalised until completion takes place.


7. Conveyance & Solicitors

The legal process of buying and selling is known as conveyancing. It varies depending on whether the transaction is taking place in England and Wales or in Scotland.

Both buyer and seller will require a solicitor/conveyancer that can act for themselves and their lender but both parties cannot use the same person. The choice of who will act for you is entirely at your discretion. It is important, however, that you instruct a solicitor/conveyancer who will deal with the purchase of your property promptly. It is essential the solicitor is experienced in handling residential property sales, can be readily contacted and can deal with your case speedily. Quite often your Estate Agent or Financial Adviser will be able to recommend someone who is competent.

On accepting the offer and withdrawing the property from the market Homecare Estates will stay in contact with your solicitor throughout the sale process to monitor progress and to assist you with any issues.


8. Mortgage Finance

If your purchaser requires a mortgage for any part of the purchase, they will need to submit a full mortgage application to begin the process. Once your purchasers' mortgage provider is completely satisfied with the value and condition of the property and their own personal situation, they will issue a Mortgage Offer. This document guarantees the finance and must be in place before their solicitor can exchange the contract of sale. Once in place an exchange date and completion date can be set. The completion date is normally between two to four weeks from exchange although this can often be negotiated. In very exceptional circumstances and with enough notice, exchange and completion can happen on the same day, although we strongly advise against this as it can lead to many potential risks and dangers.