Selling FAQs

There are a few things to consider when selling your property:

· Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

You are legally required to provide an EPC when you market your property for sale. This outlines the energy efficiency rating of your property. sbliving can organise this for you.

· Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal transfer of your property to the buyer, and you will need to employ a solicitor to make this happen. sbliving can introduce you to a solicitor who can guide you through the process.

· Estate Agent Fees

Here at sbliving we listen to what your needs are and discuss a range of options that will work best for you.

You may also decide to pay for extras such as professional photography or advanced marketing and promotions. And don’t forget about removals. We can advise and assist you in all these matters.

It’s entirely up to you. We can conduct viewings for you or you can choose to manage these yourself.

This depends on a number of things, such as your approach to pricing your property and the position both you and your buyer are in. If your home has been realistically valued, you should expect to receive offers within the first four weeks. Then, assuming your buyer has to apply for their mortgage, the exchange of contracts normally takes between 4 and 6 weeks and then completion is between 2 and 4 weeks later. So in total you should expect 12-14 weeks to complete the sale.

In England, all sellers are required to purchase an EPC for a property before they sell it. Your estate agents must display the EPC rating whenever they market your property. We will be happy to discuss this with you.

Conveyancing’ is the legal process that happens when you transfer your home to the buyer. You will typically need a solicitor to assist you with this, to make it happen. We can introduce you to a solicitor who can guide you through the legal process when moving home.

No, the property buyer is responsible for paying stamp duty. You will have to pay it on any property you purchase.

Once the buyer has made an offer, it is likely they will arrange for a surveyor to visit you home. The five key things a surveyor will be looking for are problems with utilities, damp, cracking, problems with roofs, and timber defects. In addition, your buyer’s mortgage lender will typically  organise a mortgage valuation to confirm that the property is worth the money being lent.

Once the sale has been agreed, your solicitor will draft a contract. Your buyer’s solicitor will confirm the details of the property and perform searches. At the same time, the buyer’s mortgage lender will conduct a mortgage valuation and send a mortgage offer to the buyer. When all of this is complete, you will be ready to sign the contract and agree the completion date.

The seller or the buyer can pull out of the sale at any time and for any reason until the point that both solicitors have received signed contracts from both parties.

When both contracts have been signed, the buyer’s solicitor will request the mortgage from the buyer’s lender. Once these funds are released, then your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor will consult both parties and agree a completion date.

Your title deeds give proof of ownership of the property and will need to be transferred to the buyer as part of the conveyancing process. These are usually held by your mortgage lender, and it will be your solicitor’s responsibility to obtain these.

This depends on what you have agreed with your buyer. You are not required to leave any furniture or furnishings in the property, but you may have agreed to include some as part of the negotiations of the sale.

The contract will specify the completion day, and usually the buyer will be asked to collect the keys to their new home from the estate agent. In most cases the seller is asked to vacate the property by 12pm.

Usually, you are only required to pay Capital Gains Tax if the property is not your main home.

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