St Clements Wells in Wallyford

How to Sell Your Home

Feeling like it’s time for a fresh new start? The thought of selling your home can be daunting, but we’re here to help. Read on to find the answers to some of the most common questions.

Why do you want to sell?



Whether you need more space for your growing family or are relocating elsewhere, knowing the answer to this question is the first step. However, buying a new home may be your best bet if you have equity and are ready for a change.
Growing Family

What can I afford to buy?

Selling Property


Before deciding to sell, it’s important to know what your house is worth and other admin expenses. Try to work out how much belongs to you and how much you owe to your mortgage provider.


READ our mortgage guide

How much does it cost to sell a house?

These are the expenses you’ll need to cover when selling your home:

  • Estate agent fees come in between 1% to 3% of your home's sold price
  • Conveyancing fees (£800-£1,800)
  • Removal costs (£400-£1,800)
  • Remortgaging fees (£1,000)
  • Paperwork expenses such as Energy Performance Certificate (£60-£120)
 
Cost to Sell Home

What documents do you need to sell a house?

Documents to sell a house

Make sure you have these documents at hand when selling your home:

  • An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  • FENSA Certificate for windows and doors
  • A Boiler Safety Certificate
  • A Gas Safety Certificate
  • Electrical Installation Certificate
 

Do I need an estate agent?

 
Getting an estate agent is up to you. You could limit costs by selling the house yourself; however, they can offer useful insights into the property market and do the legwork. They can also help you establish your property’s worth to get the most out of the sale. 
 

How do I choose an estate agent?

 
Choosing the right estate agent can be tricky. You can check how quickly they sell, their success rate and the likelihood of achieving the asking price. 
 

Do I need a solicitor?

 
Yes, you’ll need a solicitor or a conveyancer to deal with the legal side. They’ll handle your deed transfer and contracts and liaise with your mortgage lender to finalise the paperwork.  
 

How much should I sell for?

 
To get an idea of your home’s selling price, you can ask a few estate agents to evaluate it. You don’t have to go for the highest; just calculate the average. It could also help research the property market to see similar prices.

Bear in mind that buyers may want to negotiate a discount (usually between 5% and 10%).
 
 

When should I put my house on the market?

 
Springtime is the best time for putting your house on sale. Many buyers start looking before the summer, between February and June. Some, such as teachers, may look between June and September during school break. Alternatively, September and October are also an alternative, as many buyers like to settle by Christmas. 
 

How long does it take to sell a house?

 

Typically, selling your home takes an average of 25 weeks; however, this may vary.   The most crucial is the first couple of weeks after your property has been advertised. This is when it’s most likely to go under offer. Here is a rought timeline of every stage involved: 

  • Listing the property (1 to 3 days)
  • Marketing the property and wait for an offer (between 1 to 14 weeks)
  • Conveyancing and financing process (from 8 to 16 weeks)
  • Exchanging contracts (1-2 weeks)

What offer should I accept?

Here are some things to consider before accepting the offer:

  • Ask yourself if the offer reflects a fair price for your home
  • Try to find out if the buyer can complete the purchase
  • Try to find out if they are cash buyers or in a chain
  • You don’t have to accept the first offer
  • You can negotiate with the buyer
  • If you receive more than one offer, you can opt for sealed bids*

*sealed bids are where your estate agent asks both parties to write down the maximum price they can pay

 
Selling Agent

What happens after I accept an offer?

Agreeing to Sell House

Once you’ve accepted an offer, it’s time to make it official.

  • Draft your contracts: Your solicitor will draft the contract for you and your buyer to sign.
  • Exchange contracts: After you agree to the contract, you’ll exchange it. This means it becomes legally binding.
  • Finalise the sale: You accept part of the agreed payment, and the legal deeds are passed from your solicitor to your buyers’.
 

Top tips for selling your home 

 
Ready to take the leap? Read our top 4 tips to sell your home.
 

Plan ahead

 
Selling your home can take some time, so planning ahead is important. Order your finances and factor in any extra costs you may incur. If you’re still within your mortgage terms, ensure you won’t face any early termination fees or payments to take to the new property.

You can get help from a mortgage broker, who will estimate your expenses and how much you can afford to borrow.
 
 

Give a new lease of life to your home

 
Deep cleaning and decluttering will do the trick. As well as looking fresh inside, it needs to make an impact on the outside. Consider mowing the lawn, pulling out the weeds, repairing any broken fence or damaged glass, and putting a new lick of paint too.

If your house needs some major renovation, you may want to get a house survey. This way, you’ll know the extent of the problem and potential repair costs.
 
 

Find a good estate agent and solicitor

 
Finding a good estate agent and a solicitor will speed up the process. They will get your home valued and look after the selling process, even after the home goes under offer.  
 

Accept the right offer

You don’t have to settle for the first or highest offer. You can reject it or negotiate with the buyer. When considering offers, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Is the offer fair?
  • Is the offer enough for you to afford to buy your next property?
  • How quickly do you need to sell?
  • How long has the property been on the market?
  • Did you already reduce your asking price?
  • What is the buyer’s situation?
  • Are there any other buyers interested in buying your home?
     
 

Selling Your Home FAQs

  • The first thing to do when selling a property is to consider its market value by getting a professional property valuation. Then, you will need to choose an estate agent to sell the property or consider selling it privately. It is also important to prepare the property for viewings by carrying out any necessary repairs and decluttering. Finally, you will need to market the property and negotiate with potential buyers.
  • It is recommended to hire a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal aspects of the sale.
  • Estate agent fees, solicitor fees, and removal costs are some of the common fees when selling a house.
When you buy your new home with us, we have unique offers to help you sell your existing home quickly and hassle-free. 

With the Movemaker scheme, we’ll arrange the sale of your home and cover the estate agent fees for you. If you’re struggling to sell, our Part Exchange scheme could help. We can be your guaranteed buyer, so you won’t have to worry about marketing your property on the market. 

explore our range of schemes

Help to Sell

If you’re looking to start your next adventure, but are worried about the hassle of moving, we have a range of schemes available to help you sell your existing home.

Armed Forces Deposit Contribution

We're offering Britain's military servicemen and women a 5% deposit contribution to help them buy a brand-new home.

Key Worker Deposit Contribution

As a thank you for the support provided to our communities, we are offering key workers a contribution of £1,000 for every £20,000 spent on the purchase price, plus flooring.

Own New - Rate Reducer

Own New - Rate Reducer is a brand-new scheme available on new build homes that could mean lower mortgage rates and reduced monthly payments.

Low Deposit Offers

If you have a low deposit, we have a variety of schemes available to help make moving more affordable. Learn more here.

Part Exchange

We could be your guaranteed buyer, so no stress or fuss, just an easy move for you and your family. 

Parent Power

If you’re getting financial support from your family or friends to help you get on the property ladder, we could match it, up to a maximum of 5% of the purchase price.