SELLERS

• Solicitor – Instruct your solicitor when you instruct your estate agent. There is always a significant amount of documentation required for the preparation of the contract for sale. The contract is sent to the buyer’s solicitor to begin the conveyancing process. If a solicitor is able to issue the contract with supporting documentation as soon as a sale is agreed, it will help expedite the process. It also demonstrates your commitment to the buyer.
• Searches – Depending on the council district, searches can take over a month to return and have a shelf life of three months. Order them at the outset to form part of your contract pack and your buyer’s solicitor will normally use them for the conveyance.
• Septic Tanks – In the countryside, properties are often serviced by septic tanks. These now must be compliant under the 2020 “General Binding Rules”, and often are flagged during a survey. Prior to launching the property to the market, establish with a specialist surveyor whether or not the tank is compliant and if not what remedial works are required and if necessary what a replacement will cost. It Is a sellers responsibility to sell a house with a compliant septic tank.
• Supporting Documentation if you have carried out any structural work to your house you should have the work signed off both in terms of any requisite planning permissions and building regulations. If your property is Grade II Listed you should have also obtained Listed Building Consent.
• Survey – These frequently cost a considerable sum, and the buyer is likely to wish to commission their own survey. However, by understanding potential issues, the offer you receive is likely to be the price you sell for, as the buyer has been able to consider any necessary work and the expenditure required. Buyers will normally expect your boiler to have been recently serviced and may request confirmation that the electrics have been checked.
• Enquiries – These can be extensive. Exchange will not take place until solicitors on both sides are satisfied. It may mean taking a deep breath, but answer as quickly as possible to reduce delays, and maintain goodwill. Remember, a buyer’s solicitor will report to the mortgage company, in the same way that they report to their client.
• Removals – Select and appoint your Removals firm as soon as you put your house on the market. This will ensure you are aware of the cost involved and contact can be maintained to ensure availability at the time of completion.
• Ask Questions – You are employing both your solicitor and estate agent. Both professionals are there to help. You are the client, so do not be afraid to question anything which is of concern.

BUYERS

• Solicitor – Instruct your solicitor as soon as your offer has been accepted. There is always a significant amount of documentation required for the preparation of the contract for sale by the seller’s solicitors and it will be sent to the buyer’s solicitor to begin the conveyancing process.
• KYC Anti-Money Laundering Checks – This is a legal requirement and is often completed online via a third party such as Thirdfort. You will need to provide photographic ID and proof of residency.
• Proof & Source of Funds – Once your offer is accepted, your solicitor and the estate agent will require proof and source of funds. Often a house will not be marked as “under offer” until the buyer has fully complied with this request. Make sure you have financial information prepared (which will be held in confidence), a memorandum of sale from your house sale, and/or documents evidencing your mortgage agreed in principle.
• Mortgage – Have your broker or lender lined up to get the valuation booked in quickly. Lenders do not have the urgency of the agent or solicitor and this process can take time.
• Buildings Insurance – Exchange will not be permitted to take place until you, as the buyer, have Buildings Insurance in place.
• Deposit – Upon exchange, you are required to pay a 10% deposit. Have these funds readily available to transfer to your solicitor to facilitate exchange.
• Survey – There is usually a lead time for surveys to be booked in and completed, particularly during peak selling seasons. Do your research for a surveyor prior to agreeing your sale. Your agent, as well as your solicitor, will be able to recommend local surveyors if you do not have a contact.
• Removals – Select and appoint your Removal Firm as soon as your offer is accepted. This will ensure you are aware of the costs involved and importantly contact can be maintained to ensure availability at the time of completion. Upon exchange, a completion date will be agreed and confirmed.

The thing to bear in mind during this whole process is that everyone involved is trying to reach the same conclusion and get people moved. Moving house rates as one of the three most stressful aspects of life in the developed world, however, with sensible and timely preparation on both sides, you can have a happy experience, and the transaction can be almost seamless.

Helen Whitfield - Stow on the Wold - 01451 830731 helenw@butlersherborn.co.uk