Information about buying and selling your home:-
Selling your home:
Presenting your home: 1st impressions do count. Many properties have been sold, or not sold – prior to a purchaser even crossing the threshold. The secret is to approach your home as if for the first time. The front of the property should be neat and tidy, ensuring rubbish is cleared away, front paths and gardens are weed free and not overgrown. The property itself can create a good impression - by ensuring framework and windows are clean and showing no signs of wear and tear. Pay particular attention to the front door as this is what potential purchasers focus on whilst waiting to be let in.
Internally the property should be neat, tidy and clutter free. Purchasers like a property to feel uncluttered and it is therefore advantageous to pack away miscellaneous items (one less job to do after exchange).
If you are thinking of decorating prior to marketing your property it is advisable to choose neutral colours.
Pets – take particular care to clean areas they inhabit. It is advisable to remove dogs from the property prior to showing as potential purchasers will never love your dog as much as you do!!
Paperwork:
Try to ensure you have guarantees for work done on your property to hand. A purchaser will normally require these to proceed with the purchase. It is also advisable to have a note of utility charges - if a purchaser is hoping to move to a much larger property sometimes they will be concerned about heating/running costs.
Prior to Moving out:
Once a completion date has been agreed and contracts are exchanged:-
- All utility companies (gas, electric, telephone, council etc) will need to informed to enable them to finalise their bills.
- Mail can be redirected to your new address by contacting the Post Office for the relevant information.
- A removal company will need to be booked asap
Purchasing a new home:
1st time buyer – visit a mortgage advisor to establish what funds are available. Once this is established make a list of your requirements – try to be realistic it’s no good setting your heart on a 4 bedroom detached house if funds will only stretch to a 2 bedroom terrace. Check out the areas you are interested in making sure they fulfil your requirements. For example if you rely on public transport and there is none available in the village of your choice it will probably be best to amend your search area.
If you are already on the property ladder once again it is advisable to visit a mortgage advisor prior to commencing your search. You may be able to afford more than you think! It is usually advisable to have your property on the market when you are house hunting. If you find a suitable home a purchase can only proceed once your property is under offer.
It is always advisable to have a survey done on a property you are interested in purchasing.
Once you have found your new home, completion date has been set and contracts have been exchanged you will need to contact the relevant utility companies (gas, electricity, telephone, council etc) to enable them to be transferred over to you. |
