I want to sell my house, where do I start?

Selling your house can feel like an overwhelming task with a lot to think about. You need to weigh up a number of things such as the legal aspects, the right time to sell, how much to price the property, and when you can move.

The first step to selling your home is to assess your financial situation including checking your current mortgage (if you have one) to see if there is a penalty fee for moving or not. You will also need to pay any outstanding debts that are secured against the property.

When you are selling your property, there will be costs associated such as legal fees, estate agent fees, land registry fees, removal costs, and the applicable taxes. 

In addition, you will need an energy performance certificate (EPC) if yours has expired. This shows the property’s energy rating and is needed to sell the house. The certificate costs between £40-£120 depending on the size and location of the property.

It is a good idea to look at how much houses in the area have sold for to get a rough idea of how much you could sell your house for. You can then get a few quotes from estate agents to see how much they believe your house is worth. You will then have an idea as to how much you could get for the property bearing in mind your mortgage and other costs involved. 

If your house is in what is called negative equity, this means that it is worth less than the total amount you owe to the mortgage company. In this situation, you may want to re-evaluate whether now is a good time to sell your house because you will owe the outstanding amount to the mortgage provider.

4. Instruct professionals

You may want to instruct a conveyancer or solicitor to assist with your sale to ensure that the correct process is followed. You can also instruct an estate agent to help you sell and market your property.

5. Gather documentation

You will need to gather all the relevant documentation that is required for the sale. Your legal representative will be able to advise you. This will involve things like HM Land Registry title documents, gas, electrical and window checks, planning permission certificates, warranties, and insurance policies. You will also be asked to complete a TA6 and TA7 form to provide property information. 

A legal requirement is that your identification documents are checked to protect against money laundering and fraud, so you will need to provide proof of identity such as a passport and proof of address such as a bank statement.