Prepare before going to market
A good sale starts with a coherent property file. Gather your purchase deed, current plans, bills, community information and records of work you have carried out. Ask your adviser to identify missing or inconsistent documents early.
Make a list of what the sale includes. Furniture, equipment, garden machinery and any items you want to keep should be discussed before they become a point of negotiation.
Position the property clearly
Agree the asking strategy, photography, viewing arrangements and how feedback will be shared. Decide how much of the home and its location should be visible publicly.
The strongest presentation shows how the property actually lives: the approach, room connections, outdoor space, light and setting. Accurate information makes viewings more useful for both sides.
Consider the whole offer
Compare the proposed price with conditions, funding, timescale and any requested works. A conversation about the buyer’s position can be more useful than reacting only to the headline figure.
Once terms are agreed, ask your lawyer to review the contract and deposit arrangements. Make sure responsibility for any outstanding mortgage, occupier or completion condition is clear.
Plan the net proceeds and handover
Ask for a written estimate of the money you will receive after mortgage settlement, professional fees and relevant taxes. A non-resident sale may involve a buyer withholding payment to the tax authority; it is separate from the final tax calculation.
Arrange keys, meter readings, instructions, final inspections and the transfer of practical information. Keep copies of the deed, invoices and settlement statement for your tax records.
Prepare information buyers can use
A buyer should be able to understand the home from its presentation before visiting. Supply accurate room use, measurements where verified and a clear account of outside space. If a terrace, storage area or outbuilding has a particular status, make sure the wording has been checked rather than allowing the photography to imply something different.
Collect answers to ordinary questions: heating and cooling, pool servicing, utility arrangements, community responsibilities and what stays in the house. A coherent information pack helps the viewing focus on the property instead of repeated follow-up requests.
Make viewings useful
Agree a practical viewing routine around occupation of the home, pets, security and notice. Present the rooms as they are used and allow access to the areas that matter to a serious buyer. A locked service room or unavailable parking area can leave important questions unresolved.
After each visit, separate reactions to presentation from objections about price, layout or location. Ask your agent for specific feedback and decide when the marketing approach should be reviewed. Avoid changing several things at once without understanding what the feedback is actually telling you.
From accepted terms to an organised handover
Keep a written record of agreed inclusions, dates and conditions. If the buyer asks for works or additional documents, identify who is responsible and how completion will be confirmed. Resolve questions through the advisers before they become last-minute signing issues.
Plan the move early enough to leave time for a final inspection, key inventory and practical handover. Give the buyer the instructions needed to operate the house, but retain your own copies of legal documents and invoices. Ask for a final settlement summary and a separate note of tax matters that still need attention after completion.
Sources & further reading
This guide provides general information, not individual legal or tax advice. Confirm the rules that apply to your property and circumstances with an independent qualified adviser before committing.
