Theres lots to think about to ensure the sale runs smoothly and it all starts by making sure the property can be sold. Apartments come with many complications, from fire safety to lenders eligibility.
Before we visit your property to carry out a valuation, please ensure you have the following in place:
- What height is the building? If under 5 stories (11m) then you are good to go – Book that appointment, we look forward to seeing you!
- If the property over 5 stories (11m) there is a bit of work to do which is listed below:
Step 1 – EWS1 (External wall systems certificate)
- Has your property got an EWS1 certificate? (EWS1 Explained)
If yes then let’s get going, book your valuation. If not call you Managing Agent and ask them for an update, is work currently being carried out? When will it be finished? If it hasn’t started, then find out if funding is in place and who is paying.
- If work has started and is coming to an end within a few months, then you may want to consider placing the property on the market.
Remember if completion isn’t imminent or the work is affecting the view or look of the building you may not be showing the property in the best light, and this may effect the price
Step 2 – Landlord certificate (only applicable to properties over 5 stories (11m))
- You will need to obtain a landlords certificate. You should send a request in writing to your landlord (this is who collects your ground rent) Your Managing Agent will usually point you in the right direction.
Your Landlord is legally required to give you with certificate within 28days of your request so keep it would be advisable to keep records.
Step 3 – Leaseholds certificate (only applicable to properties over 5 stories (11m))
- This is a form that you must fill out and pass to your solicitor when you agree a sale. It is advisable to do it sooner rather than later as there may be information you need to obtain i.e.: who owned the property on 14th February 2022.
http://www.gov.uk/guidance/mandatory-information-required-from-leaseholders-and-building-owners
When putting your property on the market, the most important stage is the valuation.
Get it right and you’ll generate a sale in a much shorter period of time. Get it wrong and you could miss potential sale opportunities.
With the modern-day importance of marketing through internet portals, placing your property within the correct price band has become ever more crucial as people search by price. 85% of all leads come from portals marketing and the information is monitored daily to give an accurate picture of your property’s position in the national market.
On the valuation you will also receive information on the following: –
- Similar properties sold recently in your area and at comparable prices
- An idea of the demand for the property in that price range
- Some good advice and tips that will improve your chances of a quick and stress- free sale
First impressions count and as soon as someone walks into a property you need to have the wow factor. This means not just tidying up but polishing it until it sparkles. Organise everything and remove the clutter. The goal is to make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. If you are living in an apartment block it isn’t always easy to make sure the communal areas leave the right impression. If you’re not happy with the communal areas speak to the managing agents, after all you pay for a service and they need to know if it isn’t being done to a great standard.
- We will arrange for measurements, details, and professional photographs to be taken.
- Terms will need to be agreed and signed.
- AML documents will need to be obtained; there is a small cost of £30 to be paid per person.
- A board will be erected if it’s possible.
- Ensure you have an EPC in place.
- Do you have an EICR? This may be asked for later down the line but is not mandatory
When it comes to marketing your property, we will go above and beyond to ensure it is being seen by as many eyes as possible with marketing both within and beyond our offices.
From our website that generates thousands of weekly users, to our thorough email marketing, our multiple social channels and more, you can rest assured that your property will be viewed by many prospective clients.
Despite the digital age we live in our efforts don’t just rest there as our specialist sales team are dedicated to that personal touch and deal with a myriad of enquiries both over the phone and through face-to-face walk ins, all the while staying committed to keeping every party involved always updated ensuring strong relationships are built.
Sales can take months to proceed from offer to completion and a lot of the time it will be paperwork that can be obtained well in advance.
- Instruct your solicitor.
- Agree terms of business and obtain your AML.
- Apply for the deeds.
- Apply for the Management Pack.
- Complete your TA6, TA7 & TA10 forms that your solicitor will provide.
These few steps can put you weeks ahead when it comes to completing.
This is a legal requirement on any property that you want to sell. An EPC shows the efficiency and environmental impact of your property. It is rated on a scale, showing the current rating and the potential rating. Vendors need to be aware as from April 2019 any property below an F cannot be rented out so this would make some properties not available to investors.
We do a huge amount of marketing both within and beyond the office to ensure that your property is seen by thousands of prospective purchasers. We would strongly advise any prospective client to check online so that you can see for yourself just how our agency operates and performs .
Our website, www.julietwist.co.uk, and social media platforms generates an enormous amount of traffic and as we specialise in selling apartments, you can be confident that your property is being seen by your target market. Marketing is not just left to the web, of course – we believe in a personal approach and will pick up the phone, keeping our vendors and purchasers updated and building strong business relationships.
Our team is always happy to arrange face-to-face meetings, keeping everyone up to speed with the selling process.
The Manchester market generally favours accompanied viewings, a system with distinct advantages. Where a prospective buyer might be uncomfortable telling a vendor their true opinion, they will be honest with us, telling us what they don’t like as well as what they do! This vital information helps us to work with vendors and turn negative comments into positive ones.
There are many factors to consider before agreeing the sale.
Has the prospective purchaser seen the property?
If you have multiple offers, would it be advisable to go to sealed bids? Your consultant will assist with this decision.
Is the buyer able to proceed immediately?
Once a sale is agreed we will send a notification of sale to all parties, Vendor, Purchaser and the relevant solicitors.
All offers, no matter how low, are put to vendors in writing to keep you up to date with your property’s progress on the market. Our team’s negotiating expertise is coupled with a strong knowledge of the local market and these skills help to ensure that a mutually acceptable sale price is agreed.
The most important part of sales progression is good contact between the buyer, the seller and the solicitors, as well as other parties such as mortgage brokers and surveyors. Statistically, some of the main reasons for sales falling through are breakdowns in communication and a lack of understanding of the sales process; that is why it is important that we are here for you to make sure the sale runs smoothly .
Your solicitor will send a draft contract to the buyer’s solicitor for them to review and raise any enquiries. This can take time as questions may be asked that need to be addressed to you or your Managing Agent.
When all enquiries are satisfied your solicitor will prepare for exchange & agree a completion date.
You will be required to sign the contract and this needs to be a wet signature (the original) before exchange can take place.
Organise removals and ensure your property is left clean and tidy for the buyer.
Preparation should be made for all the keys, fobs, and instruction manuals to be handed over to your agent in plenty of time for the agreed completion date.
For more information on sales progression click here (LINK)
The end is in sight: the sale has been agreed and a completion date has been set. So, what now?
To ensure a trouble-free completion, a few details need to be arranged prior to the day. Keys need to be ready for handover, utility meters should be read, and in some cases, properties will need to be cleaned and furniture removed.
We’re able to help you arrange all of these things – you can even take advantage of our own in-house cleaning and maintenance services, helping to take the stress out of your sale. Keeping it all in-house means that you know the property is being handled by people whom you can trust.