Selling your home requires a good amount of patience and persistence, and the process is never as straightforward as it might seem. On average, 34% of transactions fall through before exchange and this is why some homes take longer to sell than expected. * 

If you’re thinking about ways to jumpstart the moving process, here are some top tips to help you achieve that smooth sale… 

Complete your forms 

At the outset of the sale, your solicitor will send over a property information form and a fitting contents form which will need to be completed and returned. These documents form part of the contract paperwork that is sent to your buyer’s solicitor, so the sooner you complete these forms, the sooner the solicitor will have a full pack of information to work through and raise any enquiries they might have. 

Alterations 

In the property information form, you will be asked whether you have carried out any alterations to your property. If the answer is yes, return the form with copies of the relevant planning permissions, building regulation completion certificates and electrical and gas installation certificates attached. This will narrow down the amount of enquiries that need to be raised by your buyer’s solicitor and therefore will speed up the process. 

Guarantees 

The property information form will also ask if there are any existing guarantees for the property. If so, make sure to give them to your solicitor with your completed forms. For example, if the property is less than 10 years old, there should be a new home warranty and if you have had damp treatment carried out on the home, there should be a damp-proofing guarantee. 

Any time spent getting the necessary paperwork prior to your sale or even as soon as the property is listed will pay off  in time saved once the lawyers are involved. 

Survey 

For the home you are buying, it’s highly advisable to have a survey carried out, and if you decide to, it is your responsibility to instruct the surveyor rather than your solicitor. It’s important to note that the surveyor may not be able to visit the property immediately, so it’s better to book sooner rather than later. Once your survey has been conducted, the surveyor can prepare a report which may take a few days. As soon as you have received the report, you should forward a copy to your solicitor as they may have to raise further enquiries with your seller, depending on the findings.

Mortgage 

If you are purchasing with the aid of a mortgage, it is essential that you provide your lender with the documents that they have requested as soon as possible. This can range from ID documents to evidence of income; they will not be able to book  a mortgage survey until these requirements have been met.  

Deposits

Upon exchange you will need to hand over the agreed deposit to your solicitor, so make sure the right amount of money is readily available and in the right account as you may be asked to transfer it to your solicitor at short notice. 

Completion Date  

Both buyers and sellers will have to agree on how soon completion will take place after the exchange. This is something to start considering early on in the transaction as the exchange cannot go forward until a completion date has been agreed upon by both parties. Let your estate agent and solicitor know of any dates that need to be ruled out and any preferences you might have for timing. This will eliminate the need to negotiate on dates in the final stages when everyone is eager to get moving.

Are you thinking of selling your home? Get started on your property journey today by arranging an up-to-date valuation.

* Property Industry Eye

Interior design is more than just dressing up a property to look nice, it’s about making your house feel like home. Throughout 2022, we saw hundreds of interior design trends filtering into our homes across the UK – from classic throwbacks to hypermodern and minimalist – now we can reflect back on these trends and look forward to what we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the months to come.

Hideaway home offices and private spaces 

From many of our learned behaviours since the pandemic, working from home continues to be integral to the way our property looks and functions. Hideaway offices that are completely separate to the rest of the house offer a healthier work-life balance – a far cry from working at the kitchen table back in 2020. 

Luxury monochromatic 

For a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, monochromatic patterns and palettes will be an ongoing trend stretching far beyond 2023. This style is simply made for bathrooms and kitchens, offering a clean and modern look.

Arches 

Arched doorways and windows have become big news in extensions and renovations, with gentle curves softening the clean-cut edges that have proliferated for so long. Moving away from sharp corners and straight lines, softness has become very contemporary in recent years, with home designs seeing relaxed, stripped-back styles replacing the bold and edgy. 

Wavy wood 

Soft and curved wood is the modern interpretation of the humblest of materials, implementing a stylish, smooth spin on one of nature’s roughest textures. From curvy coffee tables to smooth seating areas, nature-inspired homes can swap out rustic textures for something sleeker and more refined. 

Vintage furniture 

Fast furniture might be on the way out, as the lack of longevity for these highly accessible pieces creates waste. With the increase in planet-consciousness vintage furniture is a way to keep the cost down and find beautiful, high-quality furnishings without having to overspend. 

Lavender 

Lavender is making a lot of noise in the interior design scene, and for good reason. The balanced, soothing tones make it a versatile colour for decorating – whether it’s used as an accent or as a statement. The sweetness of the pink and coolness of the blue make for a happy medium that can be implemented into all areas of the home for a subtle pop of colour that doesn’t steal away the whole show. 

Statement stone 

From classic marble countertops to romantic rose quartz coasters, stone finishes make a fantastic statement. These natural, or natural effect, materials with their glossy surfaces and muted hues will be making a welcomed comeback into 2023.  

Bringing back the 70’s 

The 1970’s influence we’ve seen on fashion runways lately has clearly translated into the interior world, and it’s no surprise that the earth tones, biophilic design and low-slung furniture of this era will be remaining on trend in our homes; albeit with a modern twist.  

Wondering how much your home is worth? Find out by arranging a free valuation.

With the temperatures low and the nights looming longer, it’s understandable why many people abandon their gardens until spring rolls back around. This doesn’t need to be the case though, as there are plenty of ways to spruce up your outdoor space and squeeze some enjoyment out of it during the winter months. There are plenty of benefits for doing so and spending more time outdoors is integral to your health and happiness, especially when the dark nights approach so early. Here are a few easy ideas that could give your garden a winter refresh:

Go evergreen

From box balls and topiaries to flowering shrubs; evergreens add structure to the garden year-round and come to the fore in winter. There are a myriad of beautiful evergreen shrubs to choose from and many have the added advantage of strongly scented flowers for a touch of summer whenever you need it.

Decorate

If you prefer to enjoy your garden from behind a window, the dark and icy landscape may benefit from a touch of outdoor lighting. Consider investing in solar-powered lights to illuminate your paths and beds and create whimsical focal points that will contrast beautifully against the night.

For the daylight hours, wreaths, weather-resistant ornaments and fresh planters can make all the difference when it comes to breathing some life back into your garden over the winter.

Do a little maintenance

In the thick of the snowy season, you probably won’t think to organise your garden shed or prune your woody plants. But as the pre New Year lull is here, you could take advantage of having a little extra free time to take on those nagging maintenance tasks – and you’ll thank yourself come spring.

Welcome the wildlife

Despite the common misconception that our gardens are of no use in the winter, garden wildlife really needs your help over the cold months! In fact, the harsher the weather and the less food there is in the countryside the more important our outdoor sanctuaries are for our furry and feathered friends. Make sure to clean out, disinfect and replenish your feeders regularly, as squirrels and birds will become more reliant on them the further we delve into winter. Another great way to help is to provide a fresh source of water, as finding clean water to drink can be difficult for wildlife when the temperatures drop below zero.

Make things cosy

Whether you have a small patio, a balcony, or a patch of grass, there are plenty of opportunities to create a cosy outdoor spot that will come in handy any time you have guests over. If you’re working with a small space, create an intimate area by placing chairs and repurposed cushions around an outdoor heater or firepit to create the perfect spot for night-time gathering.

If your plans for entertaining guests fall on a rainy day, you could invest in some shelter and embellish with twinkling garden string lights to replace the view of the stars.

Curious how much your home is worth? Book a free valuation today to find out. Book a valuation.