Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Property

Step One - Obtain an Accurate Valuation

When selling your property it is vital to obtain an accurate valuation. It is not advisable to just instruct the agent that gives you the highest valuation as you need to trust your agent to interpret the appetite and direction of the local property market to present an accurate valuation that will ensure your property sells for the best possible price within a timescale that suits you.

Our valuations are carried out by the Directors or Branch Managers of Hilton King & Locke who together have over 50 years’ of experience in estate agency. We carry out a vast amount of valuations every month which gives us a very intimate and unparalleled wealth of knowledge regarding the property values within your area.

Step Two - Choose the Right Estate Agent

When deciding on the right estate agent to sell your home there are a number of things to take into consideration, such as their local knowledge, being able to proactively and effectively market your property and having a reputation for outstanding and exceptional customer service. I am happy to announce that Hilton King & Locke can offer all three of these attributes and have been selling properties across Buckinghamshire for over 15 years. Hilton King & Locke can also arrange the legally required Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for you that needs to be commissioned prior to the marketing of your property.

We pride ourselves in providing an outstanding service to our clients that accumulates in achieving the best possible sale price, we also aim to ensure that the sales process runs as smoothly as possible, to the required timescale whilst keeping you fully informed throughout the process.

Step Three - Instruct a Solicitor

The successful purchase of a property can be reliant on the instruction of an efficient and experienced solicitor. They will examine the legal documentation for the property and raise a number of enquires in order to approve the contract of the sale.

Once you have accepted an offer we will create a memorandum of sale for all parties involved. This is an exchange of details between the solicitors who will then contact each other to start the conveyancing process. The solicitor along with ourselves will be on hand throughout the transaction to advise and guide you through the process.

As we know this is of course can be a stressful time ensuring that the legalities of the process are carried out efficiently and as quickly as possible therefore we can of course offer you a number of recommended solicitors that we use on a regular basis.

Step Four - Viewings

Once interest has been generated on the property, appointments for quality prospective purchasers to inspect the property will be arranged at your convenience. We accompany all prospective buyers around your property. Alternatively, we are able to hold a key and show buyers around your property for you. We can confirm that our keys are held securely in a coded system, and that a member of staff at Hilton King & Locke would always accompany any prospective purchaser to tour your home. It is also important to remember that first impressions count when potential buyers view your property.

Step Five - Offers and Negotiation

When an offer is received we will notify you at the earliest convenience along with the information you require to make an informed decision such as, the buyer’s position to proceed, financial situation and timescales given. If there is more than one interested party then we will keep you up to date with any competing offers. You don’t have to accept the highest bidder as there are many other aspects to consider depending on the current situation. Hilton King & Locke will of course be on hand throughout the process to offer guidance and expertise to ensure that the most suitable purchaser is found for your property and we undertake to negotiate the best possible sale price that we can.

Step Six - Offer Agreed

Congratulations! Now that a sale has been agreed, your buyers will need to instruct their chosen solicitor and mortgage broker to proceed. We will also require your solicitor’s details so that we can prepare a memorandum of sale and instruct the solicitors acting on behalf of both parties.

Your solicitor will send out a draft contract to the buyers solicitor who will then carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage a survey will be arranged on your property on behalf of the buyers and potentially proposed dates for exchange of contracts and a final completion date.

We will liaise with the solicitors and estate agents involved in the chain throughout the process and maintain our regular contact with you keeping you updated of all developments. We will ensure the sale progresses through to completion as smoothly as possible.

There are no legal obligation until contracts have exchanged.

Step Seven - Exchange of Contracts

Exchange of contracts take place when both solicitors are satisfied that everything is in order and all enquiries have been confirmed and agreed. The contract will be signed by both parties and this is when the buyer will be asked to hand over a deposit (the normal requirement is 10% of the purchase price), this will need to be telegraphically transferred or paid in the form of a banker’s draft. A completion date will also be agreed and from this point all parties will be legally obligated to go through with the transaction.

Step Eight - Completion and Moving In

We will release the keys to your buyers once we have had confirmation from your solicitor that the remainder of the funds have been received. The day of completion is when you physically move out of your property along with all of your furniture and possessions. The remaining monies (usually 90%) are transferred from your buyers solicitors to the your solicitors account.

Congratulations!