Paperwork Before Paint: The Smarter Way to Prepare Your Home for Sale
Fresh paint, decluttering and a beautifully presented garden can help your home make the right first impression. But if you're hoping to sell this autumn, getting your paperwork organised now could be just as important.
When homeowners start preparing to sell, attention naturally turns to the things buyers will see.
Perhaps a room needs repainting, the garden needs tidying or there are a few jobs you've been meaning to finish before the photographer arrives.
All of those things matter. But behind the scenes, there is another part of preparing for market that can have a significant impact on your eventual move: getting your property information and paperwork in order.
Accepting an offer is only the beginning. Once a sale is agreed, solicitors, buyers, mortgage lenders and surveyors may all require information about the property, and something as simple as a missing certificate or unanswered question can slow things down.
So, alongside preparing your home to look its best, it pays to prepare the paperwork too.
Build Your Property File Early
Start gathering information connected with the ownership, condition and history of your home.
If you've extended, converted or structurally altered the property, look for any relevant planning permissions, Building Regulations approvals, warranties and guarantees.
Depending on your home, you may also have paperwork relating to replacement windows and doors, roofing, damp treatment, electrical work, boilers, heating systems or solar panels.
Check your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) too. If you're unsure whether it's still valid or whether you need a new one before marketing, your estate agent can check this for you.
Don't panic if something is missing.
Finding out before you've agreed a sale gives you considerably more time to locate a copy, establish whether one is actually required or take appropriate professional advice.
Leasehold? Start Even Earlier
If you're selling a leasehold property, there is usually more information to gather.
Your buyer's solicitor may need details relating to the lease, service charges, ground rent, buildings insurance, planned major works and the managing agent or freeholder.
Obtaining management information can sometimes take time, so this is one area where being proactive can really help.
If you're unsure what will be required, speak to your solicitor early rather than waiting until a buyer is already chasing for answers.
Instruct Your Solicitor Before You Find A Buyer
You don't necessarily need to wait until you've accepted an offer to choose your solicitor or conveyancer.
Instructing them when your home goes onto the market means some of the initial work can begin in advance, including identification checks and completing the property information forms.
It can also give your solicitor an opportunity to identify anything that may need further investigation.
Perhaps you have solar panels, shared access, private drainage, an unusual boundary, a historic extension or a restriction on the title.
These things don't necessarily present a problem. But if questions are likely to be asked, it is much better to know about them before you're several weeks into a transaction.
Be Clear About What's Staying
Fixtures and fittings can cause a surprising amount of confusion during a sale.
Will the fitted appliances remain? What about freestanding white goods? Are you taking the curtains, blinds or particular light fittings? Is the garden shed included?
You don't need to decide everything before your first viewing, but it is worth thinking about it early.
Your solicitor will ultimately record what is and isn't included as part of the legal process, helping avoid misunderstandings as you move towards completion.
Think About What Happens After You Sell
Being sale-ready isn't only about your current home. It also means understanding what you want to happen next.
Are you planning to buy immediately? Would you consider breaking the chain and moving into temporary accommodation? Are there school, work or travel commitments that could affect your preferred moving date?
If you have a mortgage, it's also worth understanding whether an early repayment charge could apply and whether your current mortgage may be portable to another property. Your lender or mortgage adviser can explain what applies to your particular circumstances.
Knowing these things in advance can help when you're assessing offers.
The highest offer isn't always the best one if the buyer's circumstances and timescale don't work with your onward move.
Get Ahead Of The Autumn Market
As the summer holidays draw to a close, many homeowners start turning their attention towards an autumn move.
If you're thinking of joining them, don't wait until you've accepted an offer to start getting organised.
Choose your solicitor. Find the paperwork. Check your EPC. Think about your onward plans. And if there is something unusual about your property, raise it early.
None of this is as exciting as styling your home for photographs or seeing your listing appear online.
But when the right buyer comes along, having everything ready can help your sale get off to a much stronger start.
Great presentation can help you find the buyer. Great preparation can help you keep the sale moving.
Thinking About Selling This Autumn?
If you're considering a move, now is a great time to start preparing, even if you're not quite ready to put the For Sale board up.
Complete our contact form to arrange a no-obligation property valuation with Newton & Co. We'll talk you through the current market, how we would position your home and what you can start doing now to prepare for a successful sale.
