In today's uncertain property market, many people will be asking themselves how do I go about selling my house? If this is the position you are in - there is no need to panic - as by sticking to a straightforward process, you should find the experience is not as daunting as you may first think.
If you wish to sell your property, you can either find a buyer yourself or use an estate agent. Before making such a decision, you should consider how much each method would cost, and how much spare time you have available.
Should you opt to use an estate agent - it will be more expensive - but they will take responsibility for advertising your home, showing potential buyers round, and negotiating a price for the house.
If you would rather find a buyer yourself - it will be much cheaper - but you remember you will need to ensure all the above is done, and complete your own negotiations regards price.
Many estate agents offer free valuations, so it is always possible to arrange for a couple of quotes, regardless of whether you decide to sell yourself or let the estate agent do the work for you. You can also look at local papers, estate agents windows and similar houses in the area, to help you decide on sale prices.
Before settling on a selling price, you should consider completing any essential maintenance or repairs, if this will make achieving a sale easier. You should also decide in advance if you are prepared to include any fittings in the cost - such as curtains or white goods.
If you decide to use an estate agent, you should investigate the agents in your area and find out what type of property they specialise in, what their charges include and, if possible, what their reputations are. This is usually through word of mouth, so if you have friends or relatives who have used local agents, ask them about their experience.
Whether you have arranged to sell the house yourself, or you have used an estate agent, you may find that you receive more than one offer for the house. Remember, it is your choice - you can sell the house to whomever you want, and do not necessarily have to go with the buyer who offers the most money.
You may wish to take into account whether the purchaser is a first-time buyer, is in a chain, and already has a mortgage agreed, as these will all affect timings for moving.
Once you have accepted an offer, you, or the estate agent, needs to inform whoever is overseeing the legal side of things. You may choose to do it yourself, but it is very complicated and involves a lot of work. Most people use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer instead.
Remember, selling can be a long process - from deciding to sell, to actually completing a deal. However, as you can see, the process is quite simple - and it needn't be as stressful, and time-consuming as you first thought.
