How to sell a house guide

When it comes to selling your house, it can be hard to know where to start! We’re experts at helping people move into their dream home, so we’ve created this helpful and simple guide to selling and moving house.

We have provided our hints and top tips along the way to make sure you know everything there is to know before you start the moving process.

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Reasons for moving house

There are many reasons why you may look to sell your house. It could be a life change, like a new job opportunity, a growing family that needs more space by upsizing or you might be looking to downsize due to retirement or an empty nest.

Your reason for moving will help you decide exactly what type of house you need and new build homes are the perfect choice!

What’s the cost of selling your house?

The cost of selling your house can vary depending on several factors but there are some key costs that you need to consider.

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Estate agent fees: These fees typically range from 1% - 3% of the selling price.

Conveyancing fees: Average UK conveyancing fees range from around £500 - £1,150 plus disbursements. These disbursements (e.g. searches, transfers and copies) can add up to £700 or more.

Removal costs: This can vary based upon moving distance and number of beds. The average cost for a 3-bedroom home removal is around £800 based on a moving distance of 15 miles.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): These certificates cost between £65 - £120. This depends on several elements like, the type of property and how many bedrooms.

The benefit of moving into a new Avant home is the access you have to moving schemes such as: My Move Made Easy, Part Exchange and plenty of others too. Find out more here.

Documents needed to sell house

What documents do you need to sell your house?

See below a list of documents that you will need to have to be able to sell your home.

Property details

  • Property information form (TA6): This form details property features, boundaries and tenure (freehold/leasehold).
  • Leasehold information (if applicable): Lease agreement, ground rent details and recent communication from the freeholder or managing agent.
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): Rates the property’s energy efficiency. A detailed Home Report is required in Scotland.
  • Fittings and contents form (TA10): Specifies what’s included in the sale (fixtures and appliances etc).
  • FENSA or CERTASS window and door certificates: If you have replaced window or doors since you moved into your home, then you’ll need to provide one of these certificates.
  • Any additional certificates and warranties: This could include anything from planning permissions, building regulation certificates (electrical, gas and boiler etc), warranties or any guarantees that are related to the property.
  • Check with your conveyancing solicitor: This isn’t an exhaustive list and additional documentation may be required depending on your situation. Get in touch with your solicitor if you are unsure.

Proof of home ownership

  • Property title deeds: This proves you legally own the property and details ownership terms (e.g. shared ownership, mortgage etc).
  • Proof of identity: Photo ID and proof of address. (e.g. passport/driving license and a utility bill).

How do you prepare your home for sale?

Preparing your home can significantly impact how quickly your home attracts buyers and maximise the amount you may receive for your property.

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Boost your kerb appeal: Ensure your garden is tidy, lawn mowed, and bushes/trees trimmed. If you want potential buyers to be interested from their initial viewing, you need to make sure their first impression of your house is positive, and a maintained exterior shows a pride of ownership and hints at a well-cared-for home.

Declutter and depersonalise: Potential buyers need to envisage themselves living in the space, this means you need to make sure there’s no mess or clutter visible. Put yourself in the viewers shoes and make sure the room is as welcoming as possible. Moving the positioning of furniture can also help with this!

Deep clean and freshen up: A sparkly clean home helps to showcase its potential and even giving each room a fresh coat of paint can enable buyers to visualise the room as a blank canvas.

Read our top tips blog on how to prepare your home when you are looking to sell.

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How much should you sell a house for?

To get an accurate idea of how much you should sell your home for, you should get in touch with at least three local estate agents to get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home. Potential buyers may try to negotiate a discount between 5% - 10% of the asking price.

What happens after you accept an offer?

Accepting an offer on your house is exciting and is the first step towards completion. These are the next steps:

  • Instructing a conveyancer: The typical process is to wait until you’ve had an offer accepted before instructing a conveyancer and providing them with proof of identity and home ownership.
  • Pre-exchange: Your conveyancer will collaborate with the buyer’s conveyancer, estate agent and any other parties. This involves lots of important documents being sent back and forth. They will also negotiate and agree on details such as, date of exchange, fixtures/fittings included in the sale and any issues from the buyer’s property survey.
  • Exchange of contracts: Your conveyancer will exchange the contracts on your behalf, along with the buyer and their conveyancer on the agreed date. The buyer will then pay their exchange deposit, with will be kept safe until completion. You and the buyer are now legally bound to the property transaction.
  • Completion: The buyer’s conveyancer has the funds ready to transfer them to your conveyancer, who settles your remaining mortgage and any other house sale costs, before releasing the remaining total to you.

What’s the best month to sell your home?

There isn’t a single best month to sell your house in the UK, but traditionally spring (March to May) sees an uplift in buyer activity. This is usually due to better weather, longer daylight hours and families with children looking to move before the new school year. This can also mean more competition from other sellers. Early autumn (September to October) can also be good a good time to sell, with buyers wanting to move in before the New Year.

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January is also a time when we see a lot of people looking to start the new year by buying a new home.

The best time to sell depends on your specific property type, target market and local trends. For more information, it would be best to ask your local estate agent to provide the latest insights on when you should sell.

If you are considering buying a new Avant home, we offer Part Exchange and My Move Made Easy, so you don’t need to worry when to sell your home!

Find out how we can help sell your house and make the transition into a new home as easy as possible here!

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How long does it take to sell your home?

The average home takes around 185 days (just under six months) from when your property first goes on the market. Here are the stages of the selling process and roughly how long each take:

  • Listing the property (1 - 3 days)
  • Receiving an offer (1 - 14 weeks)
  • Conveyancing and mortgage application (8 – 16 weeks)
  • Exchange to completion (1 – 3 weeks)

This can vary though based on location, typically homes in Scotland tend to sell and complete quicker than those in England!

How Avant can help

If you’re looking to sell your home, we can help!

Part Exchange

Part Exchange

We offer schemes such as Part Exchange, where you buy one of our homes and we’ll buy yours. There’s no chain, no estate agent fees and no worries!

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My Move Made Easy

My Move Made Easy

There’s also our My Move Made Easy scheme where we can sell your current home for you, so you can move into your Avant home quickly.

Find out more
Mortgage Porting

Mortgage Porting

Along with this, our new homes allow you to take advantage of Mortgage Porting, where you move your current mortgage to a new Avant home.

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Green Mortgages

Green Mortgages

There’s Green Mortgages too, which is a special type of mortgage offered by some banks and building societies to homeowners buying a home with an EPC rating of generally A or B (each lender has their own criteria).

Find out more
Own New

Own New

Own New is another way to enjoy lower mortgage rates and 5% deposit options with Avant. You can secure a mortgage rate as low as 1%*, whilst owning 100% of your property!

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Home to sell FAQ’s

Why is my house not selling?

There could be many reasons why your house is not selling as quickly as you like, these may include:

  • Your asking price is too high.
  • Repair issues are putting buyers off.
  • Your property listing and photos aren’t doing it justice.

We recommend speaking to your estate agent for their tailored suggestions on why your property is struggling to sell.

Do I need an EPC?

In England, all sellers are required to purchase an EPC for a property before they sell it.

In Scotland, the seller is required to purchase a Home Report, which is a comprehensive report detailing the condition of the property, with an EPC included.

What do I have to leave in the property?

You are not required to leave any furniture or fixtures in the property, but you may agree to include some as part of the negotiations of the sale.

Which of your buying schemes can I use to sell my current home?

You can use either our Part Exchange scheme or our My Move Made Easy. Both allow us to help you sell your home. For more information on these schemes, please visit our ways to buy page or get in touch with a Sales Advisor.

Hear from people like you

Read our customer stories and be inspired by buyers who have sold their house and moved to a stunning new Avant home!

Martyn and Michelle

Martyn and Michelle's Story

Martyn and Michelle recently moved into the three bedroom Leyburn home as they had always dreamt of owning a bigger, more modern property. Read more to find out what they have to say about buying an Avant home.

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Carla and Justin

Carla and Justin's Story

Carla and Justin wanted a place to call their own and have enough space for two teenagers. Read more to see why they chose a new build property over a second-hand home.

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Jordan and Jack

Jordan and Jack's Story

Jordan and Jack liked the idea that everything would be brand new and not have to do anything to their new home. Read more to find out why they love their new Avant home so much!

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