Rise sales & lettings

selling your home

Step by Step Guide to Selling Your House

Step 1: Accurate valuation

Your aim should be to sell your property at the best possible price in the shortest possible time. Our expert valuers have an intimate and unparalleled knowledge of property values in Durham City and the surrounding area. To arrange a free valuation contact us and find out how much your property is worth.

Step 2: Selecting an estate agent

When choosing an estate agent, consider when they will be available to conduct viewings and what kind of marketing your property will receive. These are critical to obtaining the maximum exposure and price for your property.

You should also check if your agent will organise your government-required Energy Performance Certificate on your behalf or if you need to arrange this yourself? Rise can arrange this for you. You must have commissioned an EPC before your property can be marketed.

Step 3: Instructing a solicitor

The successful sale of your property can be reliant on the instruction of an efficient and experienced solicitor. It is a good idea to do some research and make a decision before you put your property on the market as this will help to avoid delays. We can offer recommendations if required.

Step 4: Presenting your property

First impressions count, making the presentation of your property critical to a successful sale.

Consider addressing any DIY jobs you have been meaning to get done, add a fresh coat of paint where necessary and try to declutter to make rooms appear larger.

Rise have a team of dedicated professional photographers who will take photographs and write comprehensive property descriptions, all in just one visit.

Step 5: Marketing your property

To find your perfect buyer you need to give your property maximum exposure across a wide range of media. When you instruct Rise to sell your property you will automatically benefit from exposure on our brand new website, full colour property details and email alerts.

Step 6: Accompanied viewings

Accompanied viewings mean we can use our expertise to help sell your property. Our office and phone lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-2pm Saturdays.

Step 7: Receiving an offer

As soon as an offer is received we will notify you both verbally and in writing. Any special conditions of the offer will also be stated in writing and we will check the buyer's ability to proceed before you decide whether to accept the offer.

Step 8: Offer agreed

Once you accept an offer we will do the following:

• Prepare a memorandum of sale
• Write to all parties to confirm the agreed price
• Ask you to confirm your solicitor's details
• Your solicitor will send out a draft contract to the buyer's solicitor who will then carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage you will also be able to agree on dates for the survey on your property, exchange of contracts and proposed date for completion.
• We will advise you and negotiate on your behalf throughout this process, keeping you informed every step of the way.
• There are no legal obligations until contracts are signed.

Step 9: Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts occurs when the following have been confirmed and agreed:

• Preliminary enquiries following receipt of draft contract
• Evidence of a good title
• Specific issues highlighted in the Lease, if applicable
• Local search queries
• Fixtures and fittings to be included in the sale
• The buyer's mortgage offer
• Once the contract has been signed by both parties the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) will be telegraphically transferred or paid in the form of a banker's draft by the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement.

Step 10: Completion

• Completion is when the residual monies (usually 90%) are transferred from the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor's account.
• Your solicitor will call you when the money has cleared in your account and will inform us to release the keys.
• Congratulations, your property is now sold!