If you are planning to sell your house in the next few months, the most productive thing you can do is be prepared.
The property market moves quickly, and sellers who focus on their property’s presentation, choose the right local estate agent, organise their paperwork, and plan their marketing are in the best position.
This guide explains how to prepare your home, what to arrange in advance, and how the conveyancing process works in England and Wales.
Being well-prepared allows you to launch your property at the opportune time and helps reduce delays once you accept an offer from a buyer.
Many sellers underestimate how much smoother the legal process can be when groundwork is done beforehand. Planning can save weeks and prevent frustration during the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Preparing your property early can significantly reduce delays once you accept an offer.
- Presenting your home well – inside and out – can protect your asking price and attract serious buyers.
- Instructing a solicitor before you find a buyer helps streamline the conveyancing process.
- Understanding when a sale becomes legally binding in England and Wales allows you to plan with confidence.
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter. Buyers often make up their minds within seconds, so a little preparation goes a long way.
Interior Presentation:
- Keep your home clean, decluttered, and depersonalised so buyers can imagine themselves living there.
- Pay attention to small details like windows, grout, carpets, and ventilation – these show the property has been cared for.
- Neutral colours appeal to a wider audience, so consider updating bold or unusual decor.
Maintenance:
- Fix minor issues such as leaking taps, loose handles, cracked tiles, or faulty light switches. Small problems can later be used to negotiate the price. Addressing them early helps protect your position.
- Don’t forget the exterior. Simple tasks like tidying the garden, washing door frames, painting fences, or adding plants can significantly boost kerb appeal.
What to Do Before Putting Your House on the Market
Preparing key aspects early helps streamline the sale and prevents unnecessary delays.
1. Obtain Estate Agent Valuations
Start by getting valuations from several local estate agents to understand the market and potential sale price.
Choose an agent based on their local knowledge, marketing approach and communication style. Strong marketing and proactive sales progression will make a noticeable difference to your experience.
2. Review Your Financial Position Before Selling
If you have a mortgage, discuss redemption figures with your lender. If you plan to switch or port your mortgage (also known as porting), clarify this in advance to avoid surprises once offers begin to arrive.
You can also consider engaging a conveyancer before your property is officially on the market, so that you are ready with the relevant paperwork once a buyer has been found.
3. Instruct a Solicitor Early
Engaging a solicitor early means they can start collecting the documents you’ll need for the sale, such as your property information forms, planning permissions, building regulation certificates and guarantees.
Gathering these after accepting an offer can slow down the process significantly, so preparation pays off.
4. Understanding the Legal Position
In England and Wales, you do not create a legal obligation to sell when you put your property on the market. A binding contract only arises when both seller/buyer sign the contract and their solicitors exchange contracts.
This allows you to prepare, list and accept an offer without being legally committed to proceed until exchange.
However, being prepared can reduce the risk of the transaction falling through. Delays in providing documents or responding to enquiries are common reasons that buyers can lose confidence. You can make your sale more secure by being ready and getting ahead.
You should think about any certificates or consents for the property. Missing planning permissions or building regulation sign-offs, or gaps in paperwork for alterations or extensions can delay a sale.
An experienced solicitor can help spot these early, so solutions can be found before they turn into delaying issues.
Howell Jones: Expert Conveyancing Solicitors in Surrey
Selling a home is simpler when you take some time to prepare. Good presentation boosts interest, organisation reduces delays, and planning ahead improves your chances of securing your desired sale price.
At Howell Jones Solicitors – Conveyancing Solicitors Surrey – we can guide you through every step of the home-selling process.
From reviewing your paperwork and advising on legal requirements to ensuring a smooth conveyancing process, our experienced property team is here to make selling your home as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Contact us today: 0800 011 9813
