It’s a well-known fact that moving house is one of the most stressful things a person can do. So anything you can do to remove some of that stress is a no brainer.
One of the easiest and best ways to do so is to be “sale ready”. This means thinking about the progression of your sale and the home you wish to buy, even if you’ve not yet had an offer accepted.
As a general rule of thumb, the momentum for the entire process is set within the first month, so by getting your affairs in order early, there should be fewer delays down the line. Not only that, with the housing market being so red hot at the moment, it has never been more important to be ahead of the game.
The first thing to do is to make sure you have that all important mortgage in principle in place before you start looking for a new home. Sorting this out before you start looking for the perfect home will show you how much you can afford when it comes to looking for a home to buy. It will also give you the edge when you find a home you wish to put an offer in. Sellers are more likely to go with someone who has all their affairs in order, including a mortgage in principle, as it means the process can proceed more quickly.
Choose a mortgage advisor who has been recommended to you, either by a friend or someone you trust. Don’t go for the company which offers you a cheap deal – the old adage of you get what you pay for is always true.
On top of this it’s also important to factor in expenses such as stamp duty, estate agent fees and removal costs and if you can, add in a contingency budget in case you need to get any repairs or work done to your existing home.
Next, make sure you have all the documents which are essential to any sale. These are two forms of ID, your current property title deeds, management pack and share certificate if your property is leasehold and details of any building work, for example proof of planning agreements. Keep all these essential documents in one place so you can refer to them quickly.
If you are selling a property, it is wise to instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. A solicitor will handle all the legal aspects of selling your property so use a reputable firm and preferably one who comes recommended or approved by your mortgage company or advisor. One who specialises in conveyancing is even better.
Finally, now is a great time to make sure your home is sale ready. This means keeping it clean and tidy and free from excess clutter. It’s never too early to start and give it a good spring clean as once it’s on the market, you never know how soon you will get a viewing, or indeed an offer! No one who comes to see your home wants to see dust, dirty dishes and clean laundry on the radiators so make sure you keep on top of it.