Sellers guide
Sellers Guide
The process of selling a property can be complex and time consuming. We've broken it down into a step by step guide, explaining what happens at each stage. Of course if you have any questions, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.
Putting your property on the market
Before we can market your property you will need a Home Information Pack (or HIP), this collects together many of the documents a buyer needs in order to purchase your property. The main elements of the pack are

a)Energy Performance Certificate – assesses the energy efficiency of the property from A (best) to G (worst), and gives information on how to improve it

b) Sale statement – gives the name of the of the seller or sellers, the address of the property being sold and whether it’s freehold or leasehold

c) Registered title documents – details from the Land Registry of the owners, any specific covenants and a map showing the property and its exact boundaries

d) Unregistered title documents – some properties that haven’t been sold for many years aren’t registered with the Land Registry, though this is quite rare these days. If a property has an unregistered title, the pack must include similar information to registered properties, but it may come from a number of different sources

e) Leasehold information – a copy of the lease

f) Search results – standard searches reveal issues that might affect the property now or in the near future, such as drainage routes, potential flooding, or any planned development

Once the HIP has been completed we will produce carefully written and illustrated details designed to present the key selling points of your property. We will then alert all appropriate buyers within our database and ensure your property is placed on the top London property portals. Your particulars will be displayed in our prominent high street windows, and can also be downloaded as a digital brochure directly from this site. For an accredited HIP Provider please speak to our sales team
Appointing a solicitor
It is necessary to appoint a solicitor to handle the sale of your property. This will allow you time to collect together the necessary documentation, and ensure you are ready to move ahead as soon as a suitable buyer is found.
Viewings
As part of the initial instructions we will discuss how you would like us to conduct viewings - noting any restrictions or special arrangements. All viewings are accompanied by a negotiator fully informed about your property and its particular selling points.
Receiving an offer
Our negotiators will notify you (both verbally and in writing) as soon as an offer is received, and discuss the negotiating phase with you.
Agreeing to sell
Once a price has been agreed the following details will need to be put on record as approved by both parties:
    • details of any additional items included or excluded from the purchase (such as fittings or appliances)
    • proposed date for exchange and completion.
Obtaining a draft contract
Your solicitor will then send out a draft contract to your purchaser’s solicitor, and in doing so will require the following paperwork:
    • title deeds,
    • a copy of the lease, if relevant
    • guarantees
    • building regulations
    • fixtures and fittings list
    • seller's questionnaire
    • planning consents
    • any service charge accounts & buildings insurance.
Most of these points will be included in your HIP
Contract approval
Once the preliminary enquiries on behalf of your buyer’s solicitor are concluded and any queries settled, contracts can be approved. The contract will now contain the final details of the sale as approved by both parties.
Exchange of contracts
Once the mortgage offer has been confirmed and the contracts approved, the purchaser is ready to exchange contracts. The contract is signed by both parties and a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) is paid by electronic transfer or banker’s draft by the buyer's solicitor and held by your solicitor. The completion date is confirmed at this stage.
Completion
This is generally set around 2-4 weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on the personal requirements of the buyer and seller. At completion the remaining funds are transferred to your solicitor's account, and the sale is complete. On confirmation of completion from your solicitor, we will release the keys to your purchaser.