10 Steps to a Successful Sale

1. Valuation

Plenty of people can give you a valuation. But they're often ill-informed. So either you could lose thousands on an unfairly low price, or you waste precious time chasing an unrealistically high one. We'll give you an informed (and free) valuation straight away, based on our in-depth knowledge of recent sales in the same area. You might be surprised by some of the great prices we've achieved for our customers. Whoever you work with, make sure they're a member of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme. We are.

2. Marketing

Before marketing commences, your property will need an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate). Once this is in place, we'll put together a tailored marketing programme, using our database of buyers and ads in newspapers. You'll be on our website, mobile site, as well as the PrimeLocation, Rightmove, FindAProperty, Zoopla and Globrix websites. And our excellent local profile is a huge benefit in attracting the right buyers from all over the world.

3. Solicitor

If there's a problem during the selling process, it's usually a legal one. To help avoid delays, it's best to instruct a good solicitor and ask them to get to work as soon as your property goes on the market. That means they can get everything ready for a swift, smooth transaction. We can recommend some excellent solicitors if you don't have one already.

4. Presentation

Most people make quick judgements on first impressions. So things like clutter, poor paintwork and even everyday untidiness can quickly put buyers off. We always accompany prospective buyers when they visit your property, and we always get there early to make sure everything's ready. Afterwards, we give you honest, balanced feedback, so you're always up to date and can resolve any issues in time for the next viewing.

5. Offers

We're not looking for a quick deal, we're looking for the right deal. So whenever you get an offer, we'll give you balanced advice on the strength of the buyer and their offer. We'll negotiate on your behalf as if we were selling our own home. And we'll let you know if it's best to keep your property on the market as a safety net.

6. Sale Agreed

Once you accept an offer, we'll prepare a "memorandum of sale" for all parties involved which will include terms of the sale and any conditions. But remember, nothing is legally binding until contracts have been signed and exchanged (In England and Wales).

7. Draft Contract

With the sale agreed, your solicitor will prepare and send a draft contract of sale to the buyer's solicitor, along with a copy of the title deeds and other relevant documents.

8. Enquiries & Searches

Next, the buyer's solicitor will raise enquiries about the property and do a Land Registry search. They'll also submit a local authority search for details of planning consents and any other relevant local issues.

9. Exchange Contracts

With all the formalities completed, you and your buyer both sign the contract. They send their deposit (usually 10% of the total price) to your solicitor, and contracts are formally exchanged with a completion date agreed. The transaction is now legally binding on both sides, and you're normally just two to four weeks from completion.

10. Completion

The final stage is for the buyers to transfer the balance of the purchase price to your solicitor's account. Once the property is empty, and you've received all the money, the solicitors will confirm that the sale is complete - congratulations!

Even after your sale is complete, we're always here to help if we can. Our wealth of local knowledge and experience can be useful for anything from restaurant recommendations to finding a good local plumber.

Just ask: 0115 9371 713 or info@benjaminsproperty.com