Sell your property yourself

Selling your property yourself can save you plenty of money in commission fees but can also be hard work for some,  with the introduction of the internet and the increasing growth of broadband connections there are many people looking online for properties, and with sites like villacasa.co.uk you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

you can advertise your property in newspapers and magazines, plan your advertising carefully and work out a budget, feel free to use a link to this site in your advertising so potential buyers can view pictures and information of your property

As we develop and grow we will try hard to give you a listing of other sites like this that give a free service for buyers and sellers alike, if you know of others please let us know.

If you do decide to sell your property yourself you will need the services of a solicitor, speak to your solicitor and ask questions and gain knowledge.

Selling on villacasa.co.uk

to sell on villacasa.co.uk is easy as 

go to the link above > "Sell your property" then go to > "new user start here", that will take you to a very short form to enter your name and email address, submit the form and you will receive a password via email shortly. (make a note of the password and keep it safe), next go to > "Administrate property and scroll to > "enter new records", this will take you to login, enter your email address and password and login. you will be taken to the adding records page where you can enter the details for your property and the names for 4 photographs of your property in either jpeg jpg or gif formats. ( name the picture files uniquely to yourself), if you don't have the pictures on your computer at this stage don't worry as you can add them later by going to the > "update records" link.

after you have entered your property details you will be asked if you would like to upload a photograph, just use the browse button to open the open dialog box and browse to the picture file on your computer then click the upload picture button. if you wish to update information or delete the information once the property has sold simply go to administration. 

Using an estate agent

Using an estate agent is still the number one choice for sellers of property,  if using an estate agent, how would  you choose which company to use? choosing the agent is one of the most important decisions when selling a property, think about the following when choosing and using agents:

• Reputation and personal recommendation are a good start.

• Before you instruct an agent, check all the services that are being paid for, either as part of a package or as an extra. Ask about ‘For Sale’ boards, newspaper adverts, websites, mailing lists magazines and brochures. don't forget to ask them to use villacasa.co.uk or do it yourself while your here.

• Use an estate agent that offers high quality service, and who has a network of branches to market your property both nationally and internationally. If in doubt, choose an agent who is a member of a professional body such as The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Association of Building Engineers (ABE), or the Architecture and Surveying Institute (ASI). Also ask if they are signed up to the voluntary Ombudsman Estate Agency scheme which deals with disputes independently.

• As the seller, you should build a good rapport with the agent and keep in regular contact with them, make sure you’re kept informed as to how the sale is progressing.

• Part of the agent's service is to act as a mediator between the seller and the buyer, show potential buyers around your property and ensure the sale proceeds smoothly. they work on commission and want to sell your property.

Sole agent or multiple agency?

• You will decide whether to use a single agent or more, but bring to mind the level of charges you will pay if using more than one agent. Obviously, the more agents you use the more chance there is of finding a buyer.

• When committing to an agent, read the wording of the agreement carefully. If you opt for a sole agency, don't commit yourself to a long-term agreement in case you are not receiving the best service. and if you don't receive the best service then release them (sack them)

The valuation of the property

Supply and demand will always affect the value of your property 

• Ask two or three agents to come round and value your property. The agent should make a thorough assessment of the property taking into account its condition, style and location. Most agents will be happy to justify their valuation.
• Experience has shown that some agents fall short on the initial valuation, by this they sometimes value a property by postcode alone, for example 2 properties go up for sale in the same street,  property 1 has a new kitchen ,bathroom and double glazing, all the walls are plaster finished and painted, property 2 is a bit of a dump to say the least yet the difference in price is hardly noticeable. so if you have property 1 then ask them to justify the almost unnoticeable difference in price from property 2, if you own property 2 smile.

Commissions to be paid

• Agents generally base their fees on the selling price of the property. A single agency instructed to sell your property usually charges up to 2.5% of the final selling price, whereas two or more instructed agencies may charge up to 3.5%. Most agencies work on a no-sale, no-fee principle.

• Agents are often open to negotiation, particularly if the property has a high sale price. The agent wants to sell the property as much as you do and is sometimes happy to compromise rather than risk not selling your property for you.

• Before instructing an agent, check what services are part of their package and what are extras. Ask about For Sale boards, advertisements in newspapers, magazines, brochures and on websites, (particularly villacasa.co.uk) and determine how often mailing lists and brochures are sent out.
  
• Should you have a dispute with an estate agent, complaints should be directed to the NAEA, the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) or the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Selling at auction

If you’re after a quick sale consider selling at an auction and advertise this on villacasa.co.uk:

• Choose an agent that deals in property auctions to sell your property. Most established firms of estate agents are also property auctioneers.

• As the seller, you will be expected to pay the agent a commission – usually 2.5% of the sale price.

• It is also normal to pay for advertising in the form of posters and brochures and any photography. Establish whether this is an additional cost and if it is open to negotiation. The brochure should describe the property in detail, display a clear photograph and list any particulars. It should also contain Special Conditions of Sale - drawn up by your solicitor and given in the auction contract.

Finding a solicitor

Appoint a conveyancer or a solicitor who specialises in the conveyancing to handle the legal side of selling your property.

• Reputation or word of mouth is usually a good way to find the best conveyancer. Alternatively, contact the Law Society or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers who can provide a list of conveyancers in the local area.
  
• Keep in regular contact with your conveyancer to stay up-to-date with how things are proceeding.
  
• Expect to pay up to 1% of the property price (plus VAT) to cover fees. Many solicitors also ask for an up-front payment as a deposit.

Fixtures and fittings

Clearly establish what fixtures and fittings are to be included in the sale to avoid any problems or potential disputes. In general terms anything that is part of the basic fabric of the property should be included in the sale. This is often a bone of contention. Any debatable items should be discussed with your agent and solicitor. A list of items to be included in the sale should be kept with your solicitor.

Preparing your home

first impressions last so:

• Make sure your property has an attractive frontage with a tidy garden, clean exterior brickwork walls or render etc and a smart front door.
  
• tidy up any clutter 
• Ensure loose door handles, dripping taps and scuffed paint are fixed.
  
• Make your property feel warm and inviting with fresh flowers, good lighting and in the evenings light the open fire.
  
• Ensure pets are kept under control and children are well-behaved when viewings are taking place.
  
• Although home improvements such as loft conversions and conservatories add value to property, weigh up how much money you will actually make before going ahead with a major home improvement in the run up to selling your property.
  
• Prepare a file of information for potential buyers including any guarantees for damp-proofing or timber preservation, any recent surveys and service guarantees.

Gazundering

When a buyer in the final stages of a property transaction refuses to go ahead with the sale unless a reduced price is accepted, the seller has been ‘gazundered’. Although this rarely happens, when it does there is very little a seller can do apart from getting the agent to renegotiate the price or lose the sale.