It is common knowledge that selling a house is one of the most stressful periods in a person’s life, ranking just after death and divorce.
One of the key things that you can do to ensure a smooth and successful transaction is to be aware of the likely issues that can occur during the process. These mistakes can cause significant issues, from prolonging the length of the transaction to reducing the final sale price.
The Residential Property team at AFG LAW have vast experience in this sector and offer their advice on ways to make your home sale easier.
Not having the correct insurance in place
With a lifetime of possessions to pack up and move, it’s inevitable that accidents do happen – no matter what precautions you take.
While home and contents insurance is a stipulation of most mortgage agreements, it is a good idea to check exactly what is covered. It is also worth checking your removal company’s terms and conditions in this regard.
Failing to declutter
Following on from the point above. That ever-growing pile of things that you have accumulated over many years that you hide under the stairs, in the loft or in the shed – why take it all with you? If you do not use it in your current home, chances are you won’t need it in your new one. A new home is a fresh start, so why take things from the past to clutter up your new space quite literally – and pay the removal company for packing and transferring it for you? Every item we own takes up head space and is another thing to think about – so don’t make this common mistake.
Cutting corners through doing it yourself
There is no dispute – moving home is a costly business – and it can be tempting to attempt to save on expenses by carrying out certain elements yourself. Granted, there are probably some areas where you can make a saving – however the key components – including the sale and purchase, the removal of your possessions, and the legal side of things are really best left to the experts.
Being unrealistic about timescales
It is totally understandable that once you have made the decision to move house you want it to happen as quickly as possible. You may have reasons to want to leave your current home, you may need to free up some money and you might even have set your sights on a new property.
However, people often have unrealistic expectations about realistic completion dates. In can take on average 12 to 16 weeks from appointing a solicitor until you actually move in – and that is if things go to plan. A plethora of other factors may need to be considered, including the length of the chain and other parties involved, problems with the legal process and renegotiations after surveys and searches have come back.
Failing to appoint a solicitor in good time
Having a great solicitor onside to look after the legal side of the sale of your home can make all the difference in what can be a very stressful period. Choose a solicitor with good local knowledge and one that has a good relationship with local estate agents – and make sure you do it early on rather than at the last minute.
The AFG LAW specialist Residential Conveyancing team provide expert advice and guidance on the process of buying and selling property.
Whether you’re a first time buyer or a seasoned property investor – or anything in between, our experienced and friendly team will guide you through what can often be a stressful process.
We provide all of our clients with a detailed quote to avoid any unexpected charges when the transaction is completed.
If you are looking to move home this year, please contact us to discuss what is involved and what you can expect throughout the experience. At AFG LAW your best interests are always our priority. Whilst we appreciate that you want the transaction to proceed as quickly as possible, we ensure that the job is done properly and that you are protected at all stages. We will work with you to meet all your expectations and will keep you updated along the way.
For more information, please contact our team on 01204 377600 or email info@afglaw.co.uk.