Selling your house on the Rightmove web site is certainly a great way to be seen and find many more potential purchasers. But how do you get on there? Most good estate agents are experts in selling properties and will know that a web prescence is essential for capturing the market of people moving into the area. So the next question follows: how do you choose a reliable Estate agent in the UK market with a good Rightmove presence?
As 25% of buyers found their property on the Rightmove web site, it is a priority to make sure your agent can advertise your home on Right move. You may find it is worth paying more to choose a proactive agent who will
ultimately achieve a better price for your property.
Before you commit yourself to one agent, take narrow down your estate agent list to approximately three finalists who you want to invite to do a valuation. Make sure you ask them how they will invest in marketing on behalf of the vendor and should, at the very least, take photos of your property. Also ask how long it takes to go live on Rightmove as it could take up to a week and yet shouldn’t take longer than a day or two after approval.
Step One
Preparing to sell - People have different reasons for selling, from disposing of an investment property to simply moving home.Once you have decided to sell up, think about what you want to include in the sale. Normally, fixtures and fittings such as fitted storage heaters are included in the price but other moveable things can be up for negotiation.If you are getting rid of items you no longer need, do it before you start marketing your property as the less clutter you have the faster your house will sell. Many councils take large items away, sometimes for free.Give your agent other useful documents and facts about your property, which they can mention to potential buyers, such as:Gas and electrical certificate checks, Building regulations certificates, Council tax, utility, buildings and contents insurance bills - so potential buyers can estimate running costs,Service charges and ground rent bills (for flats).
Step Two
How much is your house worth? - There are several ways to help you determine how much you should put your house on the market for:Consult your local estate agent who can offer expert advice to help you determine a realistic asking price,Use the House Price section on Rightmove to check out average sold house prices in your area,Get an accurate picture of trends in your area, as well as national changes from the Rightmove House Price Index. Produced monthly, it analyses asking prices of properties that have just come on the market, breaking them down into regional averages.Search for similar properties for sale in your area and see what they are currently being marketed for.
Step Three
In order to give buyers and sellers the best possible protection and service, Rightmove does not accept property advertisements from private sellers or private landlords. All the property featured on our site must comply with the requirements of the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991.Make sure your estate agent comes with a glowing reference. Ask your family, colleagues, friends and neighbours about their recent selling experiences.Use the find an estate agent facility on Rightmove, which is a simple way of short listing potential estate agents in your local area. Pick an estate agent with a proven track record in selling - a quick look around your local area looking for 'Sold' boards is a great indicator for this. Search for your selected estate agents on Rightmove to see if they have experience in selling your kind of property.Once you have chosen your three agents, they will visit your property and recommend an asking price. Ask them how they plan on marketing your property. A good estate agent will invest in marketing on behalf of the seller, take photos of your property and compile the description; so be very wary of those that ask you to do this yourself.Finally, check the small print. Once you have selected your agent, make sure that you check the terms of appointment. It is your responsibility to know what you have agreed to before signing anything legally binding.
Step Four
Now you have signed a contract with an estate agent, you need to get your home ready for viewings and give your house the best chance of selling. First impressions count so put yourself in the buyers' shoes and think about how you can enhance your property's draw.Consider its "kerb appeal"; the first thing potential buyers will see before they even get past the front door. Here are some things to look out for:Does the front of your house need smartening up?Could the front garden be tidier?Would the front door look better with a fresh lick of paint?Could the front windows do with a clean?
Step Five
Once you have received an offer, be prepared to negotiate. But remember, you don't have to sell to the highest bidder. A lower bidder might be better if they:Are paying cash (so don't have to wait for mortgage approval)Already have a mortgage "agreed in principle"Don't have to sell a property first (they could be first-time buyers or investors) or are in a short chainCan fit in with your timescales better than other buyersIf you are buying from a developer, see if they will offer a part exchange to buy your property from you.
Step Six
Once you have accepted an offer you will probably be asked to take it off the market. It's your decision, but if you do, tell your agent that if the sale has not progressed after two weeks you'll want it back on the market.
Step Seven
Conveyancing is very time consuming and complex, so you will need to employ either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to do it for you.Here are our top tips on choosing and using a conveyancer…Get at least three conveyancers' quotes. Ask friends, family and your estate agent for recommendationsTell your conveyancer if you want answers to any specific questions in advanceLet them know when you would like to exchange contracts and complete. Tell them you will require regular updates of how the sale is progressingTry to negotiate a no sale - no fee deal, so if the deal falls through you don't pay anythingCheck and compare quotes carefully making sure they are like for like.Once you have appointed a conveyancer, you will need to…Give them some basic information to get started such as your mortgage roll number - so they can check you own the property and proof of your IDComplete a detailed questionnaire on the property, covering things like who owns the boundaries and whether you have had any disputes with neighbours. It is a legal requirement to answer truthfullyComplete a form showing what fixtures and fittings are included in the saleAnswer conveyancing queries as soon as you can. Use registered post or deliver documents by hand.
Step Eight
Moving out of the home you’ve lived in for a while can be stressful, but it’s also a great opportunity to make a new start. Getting organised and planning ahead will minimise your stress levels and make it easier to move on.