Selling a property can seem like an overwhelming task, with countless things to do—from notifying every company you deal with to packing and moving your belongings into storage or a new home and figuring out how to handle mortgage financing and moving costs.
The key is always to approach the sale of your home methodically and to work through a series of jobs in order, without trying to rush the process or deal with too many things all at once.
This ‘selling your house’ checklist from the Clive Emson team will help organise your sale and minimise stress – whether you're selling at auction with our experienced property experts or through another sales process.
1. Manage the Financial Aspects of the Sale
Step one is to deal with your finances before you list your property at auction or consider the asking price. You need the assurance that the amount you'll achieve is viable, covers your moving costs, and ultimately is worth it.
You might wish to:
Request an up-to-date mortgage statement if you have a current mortgage, advise the provider of your plans to sell, and verify any early repayment penalties that apply, if relevant.
Contact Clive Emson to request an auction appraisal or get in touch with your chosen estate agent or surveyor to provide an indication of a reasonable selling price. Related Reading: I want to sell my house - where do I start?
Start budgeting for the costs of the move, and check that you have all the pricing ready for the home you plan to move to – unless you’re selling an inherited or rental property that is currently empty.
Property sellers also need to consider the timings. It's common to have a gap between the completion of the purchase of a new property and the sale of the old one or vice versa.
You might need to manage this with your mortgage provider or ensure you've listed your property at auction if you need to complete the sale quickly to avoid missing out.
Read more about selling your house at auction here.
2. Instructing Your Chosen Auctioneer or Agent
There are several potential ways to sell a property, and it’s a good idea to research the options, understand how they work, ask for indications as to fees and costs, and examine the turnaround time involved.
Sellers might select an agent or property auctioneer based on their need for certainty that the property will sell or because they need to release funds in time to complete an onward purchase. Either way, you must review any contract before signing and ensure you are happy with the terms of the service.
3. Setting an Asking or Guide Price
Knowing how to price your own home can be tricky since it's difficult to have an objective view, especially if the property has been somewhere you've lived for some time or has positive memories associated with it.
Our advice is to consult one of our property professionals who knows how the current market is performing, can advise on the sale prices of similar real estate, and can ensure you balance the need to get the best possible selling price without setting the price too high and putting prospective buyers off.
You can also review recent sales, see what other homes have sold for in the last few months, or watch attend one of our auctions to see how competitive bidding impacts the final price sellers receive.
4. Preparing Your Property for Viewings and Photography
Now, at this stage of the selling your house checklist, things start moving along nicely and you’ll need to ensure your agent or auctioneer can take professional-quality photos and video walk-throughs of each part of the home and offer viewing appointments for buyers.
The norm is to clear as much clutter as possible, fix any minor problems, and pay attention to the exterior and interior, depending on the condition of the property.
However, auction buyers may be less concerned with the property's aesthetic appearance since a large proportion of bidders are investors, developers, property professionals, or DIY enthusiasts who actively look for renovation opportunities or prefer homes they can put their own stamp on. It is always worth talking to one of our professional team members before undertaking any work.
5. Appointing a Solicitor or Conveyancer
Regardless of how you sell your home, you'll need a legal representative to manage the paperwork and contracts and handle the transfers of funds between yourself, mortgage providers, the auctioneer, and any other parties.
While you don't necessarily need a solicitor from day one for a private treaty sale, it's worth researching and choosing an independent provider—they will deal with searches, documentation, and official filings such as the transfer of title deeds. However with Auction the legal pack will need to be prepared quickly for any prospective buyers to review.
Related reading: What documents do I need to sell a house?
6. Handling Practical and Personal Tasks
Now you have an agent or auctioneer managing the sale, have set the price, de-cluttered and chosen a solicitor; it's time to consider all those smaller tasks that can quickly mount up.
Here’s a quick and concise list of things to consider:
Booking Time Off: You may need a few days to manage packing and moving, and if you need to submit a request, it's best to do so as far in advance as possible.
Contracting a Removal Company: The costs of transporting all furniture and possessions can vary, and you can compare quotes to move all your belongings to a new home or transfer items into temporary storage.
Redirecting Post: Next, you need to inform your bank, credit card providers, local council, utility companies, and all other services of your move. Ensure that you take meter readings should there be any queries when transferring utilities to the new owner. Setting up an automatic redirection with Royal Mail or the Post Office is also well worth the nominal cost.
Decluttering and Packing: Start sorting through your belongings well in advance. Decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Pack non-essential items early and label boxes clearly for easier unpacking.
Notifying Insurance Providers: Inform your home and contents insurance providers of your move to ensure your coverage is transferred to your new property. Check if your policy covers items in transit during the move.
Arranging Final Bills and Closing Accounts: Contact utility providers to settle final bills and arrange for accounts to be closed or transferred. This includes gas, electricity, water, internet, and any other service providers.
Handing Over Keys and Documents: Ensure you hand over all keys, manuals, and any important documents related to the property to the new owner or estate agent.
Checking Council Tax and Local Authority Services: Notify your local council of your move to ensure council tax is properly managed and any local authority services, such as waste collection, are informed.
Updating Your Address on ID: Don't forget to update your address with the DVLA for your driving licence and vehicle registration, as well as with the electoral register, GP, dentist, and any subscription services.
Organising Temporary Accommodation: If there is a gap between moving out of your current home and into your new one, arrange for temporary accommodation in advance.
Informing Neighbours and Local Contacts: Let your neighbours and any local contacts know you are moving. This is particularly important if you have any local arrangements or services, such as gardeners or cleaners.
Finally, once contracts have been exchanged and you're close to completing your sale, it's worth having a final look around, including garages, attics, storage spaces, and any other aspects of the property.
The final step in our selling your house checklist is to hand over the keys, safe in the knowledge that you've managed your home sale smoothly and are ready to move forward with your plans.
If you'd like any more advice about each stage of selling your house or would like to discuss the option of an auction sale with the Clive Emson team, you are welcome to contact us at any time.