The Andrew Beard House Sale Process
Market Appraisal
I offer a free, no-obligation market appraisal of your property, together with clear advice on current market conditions and the best strategy for achieving a successful sale.
People often say that a property is only worth what someone is willing to pay — and while that is broadly true, achieving the best possible price relies on presenting and positioning your property correctly from the very beginning.
The right asking price is designed to generate strong interest, maximise viewings, and attract the most suitable buyers.
- To provide the most accurate valuation possible, I carefully consider:
- The location of your property
- Access to schools, shops, and local amenities
- Transport links and convenience
- Comparable property sales within the area
- Improvements made to the property, or work still required
- Current market conditions and buyer demand
Using both experience and market insight, I create a tailored marketing strategy designed to achieve the best possible result within your preferred timescale.
Selling Instructions
Once instructed, I will take detailed measurements and prepare professionally written property particulars for marketing.
Your home will be photographed using high-quality digital equipment to ensure it is presented at its very best. Attention to detail is essential when creating a strong first impression online.
Before your property goes live, you will receive a draft copy of the particulars for approval. Once approved, your property will be launched across our website and leading property portals to maximise exposure to potential buyers.
I personally guide and manage the entire sales process from start to finish, ensuring every detail is handled professionally and efficiently
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Free property valuation
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Receiving instructions to sell
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Professional brochure preparation
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Arranging the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
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Pre-market preparation and strategic online marketing
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Handling all sales enquiries from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week
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Accompanied viewings during weekdays, evenings, and weekends
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Managing and negotiating offers on your behalf
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Liaising closely with conveyancers throughout the transaction
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Forward planning for exchange of contracts
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Forward planning for completion dates and a smooth move
EPCs
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of your property. Under current legislation, an EPC must be commissioned before marketing can begin.
I can arrange the preparation of your EPC quickly and efficiently as part of the sales process, making everything as straightforward as possible for you.
Getting Your Home Ready for Sale
First impressions really do matter. Simple improvements such as fresh paintwork, tidying the garden, decluttering, or improving kerb appeal can make a significant difference when presenting your home to buyers.
It can often be difficult to spot small issues in your own home that may stand out to somebody viewing it for the first time. Buyers naturally look closely at details, and even minor concerns can sometimes raise unnecessary doubts.
I can provide practical, honest, and cost-effective advice to help you prepare your home for the market — helping it sell more quickly and for the best possible price.
Taking a Viewing
Viewings should feel relaxed, welcoming, and unpressured, allowing buyers to picture themselves living in your home.
Small touches can leave a lasting impression — fresh flowers, natural light, and even the smell of freshly brewed coffee can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Creating the right environment allows buyers to form an emotional connection with your property, which is often a key factor in securing a successful sale.
The Offer
When an offer is received, I will contact you straight away to discuss the buyer’s position and circumstances in detail.
Together, we will review:
- Whether the buyer is ready to proceed
- Whether they have a property to sell
- Their financial position and buying chain
- Any competing interest in your property
I will guide and advise you throughout the negotiation process, but the final decision will always remain yours. You may decide to accept, reject, or negotiate further in order to secure the strongest possible outcome.
Once an offer has been accepted, the property is normally marked as “Sold Subject to Contract.” Buyers may request that the property is removed from the market at this stage. If agreed, I often recommend placing reasonable timeframes around surveys and mortgage arrangements to help maintain momentum and keep the sale progressing smoothly.
Conveyancing
If you already have a solicitor you know and trust, that is excellent. If not, I can recommend experienced local conveyancers who work closely with me to help ensure the transaction progresses efficiently.
Once solicitors have been confirmed, a Memorandum of Sale is issued. This document provides all parties with the essential information needed to begin the legal process.
Your solicitor will deal with matters such as:
- Title deeds
- Local authority searches
- Boundaries and covenants
- Planning permissions
- Guarantees and certificates
Throughout the process, I remain actively involved to help maintain communication between all parties and keep your sale moving forward.
The Buyer's Survey
Your buyer or their mortgage lender will usually arrange for a surveyor to inspect the property. Older homes may require a more detailed structural survey.
Surveyors may occasionally recommend additional reports, such as:
- Electrical inspections
- Damp reports
- Timber and structural checks
Should further investigations be required, I will work closely with you and your buyer to help arrange these quickly and efficiently.
Exchanging Contracts
Once all legal enquiries have been resolved and both parties are ready to proceed, contracts will be signed and formally exchanged by the solicitors.
At this stage, the sale becomes legally binding and the buyer will normally pay a deposit, usually 10% of the agreed purchase price.
From this point onward, both parties are committed to completing the transaction.
Completing
Completion takes place after contracts have been exchanged. Sometimes this happens on the same day, although more commonly it occurs several days or weeks later.
Completion dates are carefully coordinated to ensure:
- Legal paperwork is finalised
- Mortgage funds are transferred
- Moving arrangements are organised
- Any related property chain can complete successfully
Once the funds have been transferred successfully between solicitors, I will arrange for the keys to be released to the buyer.
Moving Day
Good preparation makes moving day far less stressful.
It is important to organise:
- Mail redirection through the Post Office
- Utility supplier notifications
- Council tax updates
- Telephone and broadband transfers
- Final gas and electricity meter readings
If you have a larger move planned, a professional removal company can make the process much smoother and more efficient. If required, I can help arrange quotations from reliable and competitively priced local removal firms.
