Your common questions about moving home answered

03 July 2023

Emma Tait, Estate Agency Manager at Alan E Masterton Solicitors, discusses the common questions sellers ask when moving.

How quickly can my house be marketed?

From the initial phone call or chat, at Alan E Masterton Solicitors we try our best to make the process as smooth and as stress free as possible. Working closely with surveyors we always aim to have your property on the market within 7 working days.

What do I need to do to prepare my property for marketing?

This is one of our most common questions and simply put we always advise ‘clean and clutter free’. Not only is de-cluttering a great way to showcase the space in your home but it is also a great way to mentally prepare yourself for moving (and gives you less to pack at the other end!).

Touching up any paint work, cleaning windows and pulling back blinds and curtains to maximise the natural light in each room can really make a difference. It’s said that the first 10 seconds of a property viewing is the most crucial so considering what the outside of your property looks like is just as important as the inside when selling your home. Making sure the grass is cut or having a simple potted plant to give a burst of colour can really go a long way when creating an inviting and welcoming feel.

Not everyone has the time to scrub their house from top to bottom in preparation though so like many local solicitor estate agents we’re here to help with an abundance of local, reliable cleaning, maintenance and gardening companies to recommend.

If I am trying to find a property to buy first, what should I do in the meantime?

We recommend selling before buying to our clients but if you end up in this situation then we encourage you to have all your initial marketing materials prepared and ready to go for launching on TSPC. Therefore, when the time comes to flick the switch it’ll just be the home report to complete.

This means we are prepared, as most solicitor estate agents, when accepting a subject-to-sale offer, will give a review date (which is normally around four weeks). This includes the time it takes to get the property on the market as well as having an offer accepted so it’s good to be prepared and on the ball in this situation.

What happens on the day of settlement?

Picking up the keys to your new home is such an exciting day but can also be quite overwhelming. Your solicitors will always aim to settle your sale as early as possible on the day of moving, however, there are several factors to consider on the day of settlement.

One thing that can push it later in the day is if your sale forms part of a long chain of movers as each buyer requires funds whether coming from a mortgage lender or a subsequent sale of property.

We try and keep in touch as much as we can throughout the day with our clients to give them piece of mind and to make a busy day as straightforward and exciting as possible.

TSPC

It’s never to early to speak with a TSPC solicitor estate agent, they are up to date with what is currently happening in the market and have the skills and expertise to provide guidance and support throughout your journey.