sell
Seller Guides
1) Ways to sell chevron_right
- Private treaty – DIY: you create the listing, market the home, handle enquiries, viewings, negotiation and hand-off to conveyancers. Lowest fees, most effort/responsibility.
- Private treaty – agent assisted: traditional or hybrid agent markets, qualifies buyers, conducts viewings, negotiates and progresses the sale. Fees are fixed or ~0.5–3% + VAT.
- Auctions: Traditional (exchange on the hammer; 10% deposit; ~28 days to complete) or Modern/conditional (reservation fee; ~28 days to exchange + ~28 days to complete).
- Part-exchange with developers (mainly new builds) to simplify your onward purchase.
- Quick-sale/cash-buyer firms: fastest, usually discounted; scrutinise fees and terms.
- Equity-release (older owners): lifetime mortgage / home reversion — get independent advice.
Choose the route that balances price achieved, speed and your time/comfort.
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2) DIY vs Agent — fair comparison chevron_right
DIY (sell it yourself) — via MyLittleEye
- Pros: lowest selling costs; full control over marketing, viewings and negotiation; you choose timings and tone.
- Costs with us: listing/verification bundle typically < £100 (listing fee + optional buyer checks).
- Cons: you handle buyer qualification, viewings, offer negotiation and momentum through surveys/searches/chains.
- Best for: confident negotiators, chain-free/simple sales, strong local demand, or where you already have a buyer.
Agent-assisted
- Pros: bigger buyer reach & pro marketing; experienced negotiators; chain/progression management; often “no sale, no fee”.
- Cons: fee (fixed or ~0.5–3% + VAT). Service varies—check tie-in period, notice, and who conducts viewings.
- Best for: complex chains, leasehold, time-poor sellers, or when maximum exposure matters.
Whatever you choose, agree scope/fees/tie-in & notice in writing and keep a simple progress log.
DIY savings calculator
Estimated agent cost: £7,200 (1.80% of price)
DIY cost (platform): £99
Cash saved vs agent: £7,101 (0.00% of price)
Example: £400k sale, 1.5% fee + 20% VAT ⇒ 1.8% total (~£7,200). With a £99 platform cost, that’s ~£7,100 kept by you.
Other selling costs (both DIY & agent)
Conveyancing is the same for both routes — your conveyancer supplies the TA forms and handles the legal process either way.
- Conveyancing (your solicitor): seller legal fees + disbursements; leasehold often adds a management pack fee.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): required to market in most cases (valid 10 years).
- Mortgage redemption/admin: including any early-repayment charges your lender applies.
- Removals / storage and optional extras (pro photos/floorplan, paid ads, staging, minor repairs).
3) Pricing strategy & launch plan chevron_right
- Gather evidence: recent local sold prices, competing listings, demand trends, lease/freehold nuances and unique features.
- Set a guide price & thresholds: consider portal brackets (e.g., £399,950 vs £405,000) and how it affects search reach.
- Avoid over-pricing to “win the instruction”: ask any agent for comparable evidence and their launch plan.
- Agree the launch: go live mid-week, coordinate email/social push, and line up early block viewings.
- Feedback loop: review enquiries, viewing feedback and price/positioning after the first 10–14 days.
4) EPC & key compliance (before listing) chevron_right
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed to market (some exemptions). Book an accredited assessor; EPCs last 10 years.
- Leasehold? Gather lease term, service charges, ground rent, management pack details and any Section 20 notices.
- Alterations/new works? Keep planning consent, building-control sign-off, and guarantees (e.g., FENSA, gas/electrical certs).
Official guidance:
GOV.UK – Selling a home ·
EPCs when selling
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5) Marketing that works (photos, floorplan, copy) chevron_right
- Photography: bright daytime shoot; highlight key rooms, storage, outside space and outlook; optional dusk exterior.
- Floorplan & measurements: reduce time-wasters; help buyers plan furniture and flow.
- Compelling copy: lead with big wins (light, layout, location), then practicals (parking, EPC band, council tax, broadband, schools/transport).
- Launch well: align go-live with a social/email push and early block viewings.
6) Viewings & offers (qualify and compare) chevron_right
- Qualify buyers: chain position, mortgage in principle, deposit, timetable.
- Block viewings/open day: builds momentum and reduces disruption.
- Compare offers: price and proceedability—MIP, chain, date flexibility, special conditions.
- Negotiate smartly: counters beat “no”. Use fixtures/contents, dates and exclusions to bridge gaps.
7) Legal forms & conveyancing (same for DIY or agent) chevron_right
Good to know: whether you sell privately or via an agent, the legal process is identical. You appoint and pay a conveyancer/solicitor; they supply the forms and tell you what to complete.
- Law Society forms your conveyancer sends:
- TA6 – Property Information (boundaries, services, disputes, works, guarantees).
- TA10 – Fittings & Contents (what stays/goes).
- TA13 – Completion Information & Undertakings (near exchange/completion).
- Leasehold? TA7 – Leasehold Information (you) and an LPE1 management pack requested from the freeholder/agent (a fee usually applies).
- What you do: return TA6/TA10 promptly with evidence (planning/building-control sign-offs, FENSA/boiler guarantees, service-charge/ground-rent statements, etc.).
- Surveys & searches: buyer arranges valuation and condition survey; expect enquiries—reply quickly to keep momentum.
- Memorandum of Sale: check buyer/your conveyancer details so everyone can start promptly.
Official links:
Find a conveyancer ·
HM Land Registry
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8) Exchange, completion & moving day chevron_right
- Exchange: both sides sign; buyer’s deposit paid; completion date fixed; check when buildings-insurance responsibility switches.
- Completion day: funds transfer → keys released. Read meters, photograph readings, inform utilities/council.
- Practical prep: removals booked, change-of-address list, post redirection, leave manuals/spare keys if agreed.
9) Scams & red flags when selling chevron_right
- Confirm bank details with your conveyancer verbally before sending/receiving funds. Beware spoofed emails.
- Keep ID and title info secure; consider Land Registry’s Property Alert.
- Avoid pressure tactics and “urgent fee” requests from unknown parties. When in doubt, call known numbers.
10) Official references & printable checklists chevron_right
- GOV.UK – Selling a home (overview & steps)
- EPCs when selling your home
- Find a conveyancer
- HM Land Registry
Download: Printable seller docs checklist (use your browser’s Print → Save as PDF).
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