Seller FAQs
I want to sell my property. What’s the first step?
If you’re ready to sell your house, the first step is to get it valued. Living Residential offer a free valuation service, which can be arranged either by email or over the phone. We’ll give you an honest appraisal of what your home is worth, based on its condition, size, location, and the current market. You’ll then be able to make a decision about whether you’d like us to sell your home for you or not.
How much will it cost to sell my property?
There are a few costs to consider when selling your home. These include: solicitor’s fees, remortgaging fees (if applicable), estate agency fees, an energy performance certificate (EPC) and the cost of hiring a removals company.
How will my property be marketed?
When you sell your property with Living Residential, you can be sure it’ll be marketed in all the right places. We send out marketing material to our extensive buyer database, and we’ll also advertise your home on the major property portals, such as Zoopla, Rightmove, Onthemarket.com, primelocation & Boomin. We take pride in our proactive approach, and our focus is to ensure as many buyers as possible are aware of your property.
Who conducts the viewings, and how do they work?
We’ll conduct the viewings on your behalf. After the viewing is booked and confirmed, we’ll meet the prospective buyers at your property. Most sellers prefer to be out when the viewings take place – but if this is a problem, let us know. We’ll show the buyers around your home, highlighting all its unique selling points and special features. Then, the following day, we’ll follow up the viewing with a phone call or email, to find out what they thought, and if they’d like to make an offer.
Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
An EPC is a useful document. It provides buyers with information about your property’s energy use and typical energy costs. Please note, it is a legal requirement to offer this document to your buyers – but the good news is, it doesn’t cost too much to purchase. You can read more about it here.
How long does it take to complete a sale?
This depends on a number of factors. For example, if you’re part of a chain (i.e., you need to buy a property, or your buyer needs to sell) then this might lengthen the process. Likewise, if there are any issues with the sale that need to be negotiated, this can add on time too. Most sales take an average of 6 to 12 weeks to complete.
What is the exchange of contracts?
The exchange of contracts is when both solicitors (the buyer’s and the seller’s) check the final contracts that the involved parties have signed, then send them over to one another. At this point, the sale becomes legally binding. A buyer or seller can pull out after this point, but it’s expensive to do so.
What happens at sale completion?
Usually, the day of completion is the day you’ll move out of your home and deliver your keys to the estate agent, to be passed on to your buyer. You’ll be expected to vacate by a pre-agreed time (typically midday).
Do I have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
You don’t have to pay Capital Gains Tax if this is your only property, and you’ve used it as your main residence for the entire time you’ve owned it. However, you will have to pay this tax if you’ve let any part of the property out, if the grounds are over 5,000 acres in total, or if you purchased the property solely to generate financial profit from it.
Do I have to pay Stamp Duty?
You don’t have to pay stamp duty when you sell a house – only when you purchase one.
