When you're attempting to sell your home, before you even consider placing it on the market, you need to decide what your goals are. Do you want a quick sale? Or do you want a big return on investment? There are several ways you can sell your home, and they all come with different benefits, but which property sale suits you? 

Different ways to sell your property 

There are two main methods for placing your property on the market: selling it through an estate agent or at auction.  

Selling it through an estate agent gives you a higher chance of achieving a sale at a well-reflected price, as selling it at auction can result in a quick and simple sale, but it may also undervalue the property. The fees are slightly higher for selling your property through an auction compared to enlisting the help of an estate agent. 

What are the benefits of selling by auction? 

The buyer is required to pay a 10% deposit almost immediately, and the majority of properties at auction are 'chain-free', reducing the likelihood of the sale falling through. 

Auctions can be a quick selling method: your home is marketed for 3–4 weeks to gain attention, and then the auction takes place, hopefully leading to a successful sale. 

What are the benefits of selling with an estate agent? 

Selling your home through an estate agent comes at a lower fee and a higher asking price for your home. This allows you to achieve the maximum amount of profit on your property, as they are able to pin down buyers who are willing to pay a well-reflected, reasonable price against the market. 

Selling through an estate agent broadens the buyer pool, as many buyers tend to overlook auctions due to their perception of potential fixer-uppers or problematic properties. 

So, which property sale suits you? 

The key takeaway is that selling your property at an auction could give you a faster sale, while estate agents tend to deliver a higher selling price for a lower fee. 

If you're not concerned about the time it will take for your property to sell and you're looking for the highest possible price, an estate agent is your best option. Overall, you are more likely to achieve a higher price when you sell through an estate agent. 

Contact us today and allow us to support you throughout your entire selling journey 

As summer concludes and autumn approaches, homeowners have a final opportunity to finalise their move before the year ends. While each season brings its own set of advantages and challenges, there are compelling reasons why now might be the perfect moment to make your move. Let’s look at why now is a great time to sell your home and maximise your profits. 

Sales agreed is high 

All the evidence shows that the market has been very active in recent months, with Zoopla’s House Price Index showing that the number of new sales agreed increased by 8% between June 2023 and June 2024.* 

This indicates a robust market, in which movers have plenty of confidence and are prepared to move quickly. When buyers are pro-active and already have the necessary finances in place, chains move faster and are less likely to break, reducing the likelihood of your move falling through. 

Demand has also increased 

As you may expect, with sales agreed being so high, demand also increased over the course of 12 months, with Zoopla showing an increase of 6%*. As confident buyers look to secure their dream move, sellers are able to find a buyer without having to wait for too long, speeding up the whole process. 

A major benefit of high demand is that it often leads to competitive bidding, which can drive up the price of your property and increase the amount you receive. Additionally, having multiple potential buyers gives you the freedom to negotiate a completion date that suits you, allowing you to move quickly and take advantage of the busy market. 

More homes are for sale 

The number of homes for sale is a further indication of consumer confidence in the market, with an astonishing increase of 19%.* This gives the market a lot of variety in the types of properties available, allowing more people to find their dream home with less hassle. 

With more properties on the market, you have greater scope to narrow down your search and find a property that perfectly matches your needs and preferences. Whether you're looking for a particular style, size, or location, the increased inventory makes it easier to find your dream home instead of settling for something that isn’t quite right for you. 

House price overvalued 

Zoopla estimates an 8% overvaluation in house prices,* indicating that properties are currently selling for more than their true value. While this may initially sound like a negative, it actually makes now a great time to move, as it gives sellers the perfect opportunity to sell at a higher price and release a larger amount of equity. 

Selling in an overvalued market can provide you with the capital needed to move up the property ladder to a more desirable home or a better location. However, it's crucial to move quickly, as Zoopla anticipates the 8% overvalue to vanish by the year's end as house prices return to their true value by the end of 2024.* 

Zoopla’s House Price Index* 

Thinking about selling your home? Contact us so we can help you

September always seems to give us sunny-summer-like days, but the good news is that the UK property market is also faring well. During the summer, sales agreed were 15% higher than the same time last year.* We take a look at why the sun is continuing to shine on the UK property market this September, and what that means for your next move.  

Good market conditions  

Now that the labour government has settled in, the market has stabilised, and buyer and seller confidence is going from strength to strength. Many buyers who wanted to wait until after the election to place their homes on the market are now moving and accepting healthy offers and the positive effects of this can be seen down the chain. This means there are more homes for you to choose from and more buyers are in a strong position to buy your home.  

A more settled mortgage market  

Increasingly competitive mortgage rates becoming available and an acceptance of the ‘new normal’ means this month is a new beginning in more ways than one. Making a fresh start is now more compelling as home buyers accept that the ten-year period of ultra-low mortgage rates is not set to return. Current increasingly competitive mortgage interest rates today represent value for money by historical standards, and this helps stabilise the market, keeps house prices from spiralling out of control, and stops home-movers from delaying their move.  

Great weather for moving  

September is a good month to move. You still have plenty of light and good weather for viewing, preparing your home ‘For Sale’ and for moving day. With a bit of luck, you could be on the move in time to cosy up for winter. You may also benefit from eager home-movers who want to sell in the summer months and want to get on the move before winter arrives. With many people choosing spring as their time to move, you might find your solicitor and removals company a little less busy at this time of year.  

Christmas is on the horizon 

Many home-movers will want to get into their new homes in time for Christmas and this can stir up interest in your home if you are thinking of selling. Making a fresh start in September with the beginning of a new term also opens the door to making a fresh start in time for the new year. And now that the holidays are over for many, it’s back to the business of moving. Christmas comes around quickly and with the property market performing well, so could your home’s sale. So, the prospect of being in the home you want in time for the festivities is an increasingly realistic goal.   

The power of home-happiness  

With such a compelling choice of amazing properties on the market and the happiness they bring with them, it’s little wonder so many people are getting on the move. Demand for good properties is high all year-round, and the profound and positive effects of finding the right property are almost immeasurable. More rooms, exquisite outdoor spaces, locations to love, and the features and magical feelings great homes give you should never be underestimated. Market conditions sometimes fluctuate over the years but memories last for ever and more and more people are embracing this sentiment.  

Rightmove* 

Are you warming to the idea of moving? Contact us to see how we can help 

Even if it’s been a good few years since you last moved, you may already be aware that deeds are transferred and held electronically by the Land Registry and if you didn’t know that, you do now. Most properties are registered with the Land Registry and if your property is one of them, you don’t need to panic because you will not need a paper copy of your original deeds. If your property is not registered with the Land Registry, then things are a little more complicated.  

What are deeds?    

The title deeds of your property prove that you are the legal owner of your home, so they are extremely important when buying or selling. 

Do you need deeds to sell your home? 

When it’s time to sell your home, you will not need your original paper deeds if your home is registered with the Land Registry. It has been compulsory for any transfer of land or property to be registered with the Land Registry since 1990. So, unless you moved or remortgaged before this, then your home will be registered. If your property is not registered with the Land Registry, you will need your deeds. If you have searched your home thoroughly for your original paper deeds, and can’t find them, there are a few places you should look.  

Places where you may find your deeds other than your home  

If you need to find the deeds of your property because it is not registered with the Land Registry and you have searched every nook and cranny of your home, your mortgage provider or solicitor may have them. It could also be worth checking with the previous owner or their solicitor. However, finding the original paper deeds to a property is no easy task, as often they can be quite old. This is where you will need the help of a conveyancer or solicitor.  

How can a conveyancer or solicitor help? 

So, if you can’t find your deeds and your property is not registered with the Land Registry, it’s time to contact your conveyancer or solicitor. The Land Registry does not store original paper deeds so you will have to apply to the Land Registry for a first registration. Your solicitor can help you with this process. You will need to provide information such as when the original deeds were lost or destroyed, how this occurred, identify the property in detail and whether you had a mortgage at the time the deeds were misplaced. The Land Registry will consider each case individually so seeking the guidance of a good solicitor or conveyancer is a wise move.  

Great properties and property professionals 

It’s easy to become disheartened if a few obstacles stand in the way between you and your dream home. When you find the home you want and are organised, moving is a straight-forward process. However, from time to time, a few problems may need the attention of experts. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with the right team who can guide you through the moving process. From finding the home you love, a good mortgage advisor and conveyancer, a great agent will give you all the support you need. 

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