Selling a property? We’re here to help
The process of selling a house doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. We have helped thousands of property owners successfully sell their property and get on the move, and we can help you too. In our guide to selling your property in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the surrounding areas, we share the key steps and the legal process of selling property in Scotland.
How to sell your house
Firstly, you need an accurate property valuation. You can do this by instructing one of our expert agents to value your property. Our unparalleled area and market knowledge make us perfectly placed to give you an accurate asking price for your property.
Choosing your agent
Selecting the right agent to market your property is key. There are many options out there for you to choose from, whether it’s a national corporate agency, online agent, fixed up-front fee agents, and more, so we understand why this process might be hard. There’s a common misconception that all estate agents are the same, but this simply isn’t true. Whether assessing the costs associated, the levels of service, or how much work you have to do, all agents offer something different for you. A great agent saves you time and makes you money, whereas a poor agent can do the opposite, so it’s a crucial step that determines just how difficult selling your property will be in the long run.
When choosing your agent, make sure you’re confident that they have a strong, recognised local brand. We recommend calling out three to get a valuation of your property when the time is right for you to sell. Ask friends and family for recommendations, explore their reviews online and whether they have a good digital presence, and when the time comes for you to make the final decision, take into consideration all of these factors, but crucially, whether you can put your trust, of your biggest asset, in the individuals and team you’ve had contact with.
Understanding the costs
You’ve chosen your agent and you’re ready to sell your property. It’s important to note the key costs involved with selling a property so you’re ready when they come. Some of the key costs to consider when selling include the following:
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Estate Agent Fees
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Solicitor Fees
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Early remortgage payments
Have you paid off your mortgage in full? If not, then there may be some charges associated with exiting your mortgage early. The amount you pay will differ depending on the remaining mortgage balance, so check you have available funds available to cover this before getting your property on the market.
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Home Report Costs
When selling in Scotland, you must obtain a home report before we can put your property on the market. On average, according to RICS, they cost between £585 and £820, so make sure you factor this into your upfront costs. The cost will vary on the condition, age, and type of property, and your surveyor will give you the price for the final report.
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Removals
One of the most variable costs involved in the selling and moving process can be removals. Depending on how much you need to move and how far you’re moving, costs can vary from anything from £300 to multiple £000s. Much like estate agents, make sure you gather a shortlist and get a few quotes from providers, there are different service levels available, and prices can also differ based on the notice given. Make sure you plan this as far in advance as you can.
Obtain your home report
When selling a property in Scotland, it is mandatory that you come to the market with a Home Report. The Report is a set of three documents that advise prospective buyers fully on the condition of the property:
- The Single Survey: outlines the property's condition
- The Property Questionnaire: covers key information pertaining to the purchase, such as the property’s council tax band
- The Energy Report, which shows details relating to the energy efficiency of the property.
You cannot market your property without a Home Report, and we can help you to obtain it at DJ Alexander.
Marketing Your Property
This is where our job really starts. You’ve chosen your agent and got your solicitor in place, so now it’s time to launch your property onto the market. The presentation of your property is crucial; with Rightmove and Zoopla one of the first places buyers look, you need to make sure your property stands out to make people stop scrolling and click into your property. You should aim to appeal to the most prospective buyers, so presenting it in a clean, neutral fashion means viewers can imagine themselves living in it from the first viewing.
In terms of the marketing of the property itself, make sure you have an agent with a tried and tested strategy.
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You should give your property maximum exposure, utilising portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla, an agent’s website and social media
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Ask about Premium Listings and extra boosted products on the portals to make your property stand out
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Ensure you get professional photography, EPC, and floorplan as a minimum, and spend extras on virtual video tours and 3D walk-throughs to give you an edge
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Make sure your property gets put in an office’s window. Unlike online agents, a benefit of a high street branch is more exposure to people daily.
Preparing your property
We all look at our homes and see the cracks in the wall, the paintwork we’ve been “definitely sorting this weekend”, the stains on the carpet that will surely sort themselves out. Well, now you’re coming to the market it’s time to fix those small DIY jobs you’ve been putting off. Your prospective buyer will likely be looking at multiple properties, and when they walk through the front door, they’ll be picturing what it’s like to live there and how much TLC is needed to make it perfect. The more you can do to help them see themselves in your property, the better chance of an offer, and importantly, a good offer.
First impressions don’t just start in the property though; improve your “kerb appeal”, make sure any front garden is cleaned up and freshly mowed, your front door looks tidy and doesn’t have rust or paint that has cracked, and clear the driveway if relevant to make it feel as big as possible.
Before viewings, make sure it’s clean and tidy, with no clutter left lying about, and remember to ask your agent for tips on staging the rooms, making them look bigger, and ask for any feedback on what buyers thought after the viewings.
Receive and accept offers
Whether you’re selling with a fixed price or taking blind bids, when your property is on the market, your agent will conduct viewings, which may result in offers. Your agent will communicate these offers with you, and you can choose to accept or reject them. If you accept the offer, we will prepare a memorandum of sale and confirm the agreed price and your solicitor's details. Your solicitor will send contract drafts to the buyer's solicitor and decide on dates for carrying out surveys. Your agent will negotiate on your behalf throughout this process and keep you updated.
Completion
When the money from your property sale (less the deposit) is transferred from the buyer's solicitor's account to your solicitor's account, the sale is complete. When the money has cleared, the agent will release the keys.
Tips for selling your home
Our agents have in-depth experience in selling homes. We can give you more tips to sell your property, share ways to make your home more desirable to buyers, and help guide you through the selling process. Get in touch to hear how we can help you sell your home.