Find a good Estate Agent

This might seem obvious, but finding a good agent is crucial as it may influence the sale and price your property will go for. Most agents will say they can sell your home quickly, but few can. Here are a few tips to help you decide if the agent you have found is good enough for you:

• If you want to use a trained estate agent, use one who has signed up to the Ombudsman, or National Association of Estate Agents. Both organizations abide by a strict code of conduct.
• Have your property evaluated by at least 3 agents from different companies, to get the true price value of your property.

There are some important points to remember and understand within the contract, as well as the terms.

‘Sole Agency’ means the only person with the right to sell you house is the estate agent, and you will not have to pay the estate agent if you find a buyer yourself.
‘Sole Selling’ also means the only person with the right to sell you house is the estate agent, and they will still have to be paid even if you find a buyer yourself.
‘Ready, willing and able purchaser’ avoid this contract like the plague. If a buyer is found by the estate agent, and you withdraw from the sale at a later date for whatever reason, the agent will still have to be paid.
‘Multi-agency’ is good for mass advertising, as this allows you to pick numerous agents to advertise your property, but only the one who sells it will receive the commission.

Check how long the contract is for; making sure it’s not longer than eight weeks. Beware of the notice period which is a short contract lasting for two weeks. Ask about what the charges can cover and what details will be going into the marketing plan, and how they are intending to advertise your property.

Also look for other sale boards within your area, to get an idea of how many similar properties are selling for, to give you a clue of putting a good selling price for your home.

How visible is the agent you are using in the market? Look in the local newspaper for a company that frequently advertises, as it’s a sign they are doing well and you know they are worth trying. It is also worth knowing how long properties have stayed in their books, as again this would give some idea of how good an agent they are.

Remember with cheaper agents you normally get what you pay for! They may not ba able to help you sell that house quick.

Sell your house quickly to a Cash buying company

Bet your thinking what the difference is between a cash-buying company and everything else that has been covered so far - those who specialize in cash home buying can also offer ‘sell and rent back’ agreements. You need to find a reputable company who does not charge upfront fees, and look for testimonials from previous clients to prove just that.

People who use this system of selling their property tend to have a bigger need for a quick property sale, rather than aiming for the best sale price. Check what they can offer you, before you make any commitments; some may claim to have no hidden charges, commission, legal fees or HIP fees, and give a free valuation.

A few things to remember when deciding on this option, is that a specialized cash home buyer should be able to buy your home in less than 28 days. The completion date can be set to suit you when the contracts have been swapped over.

As with sell and rent back, selling your property to a cash buying company may benefit you in the following situations:

• Job relocation
• Bankruptcy
• Releasing the equity in your home
• Repossession and debt
• A broken property chain
• Emigration amongst other factors.

Ask what they can do for you, as some may say they will handle everything for you, from arranging a survey to contacting solicitors once a contract has been drawn up and the price agreed on.

When you have decided which reputable company to use, make sure you have all the details of your home prior to contacting them, then the next step should be a valuation of the property. Of the full market price, some companies will give 80-85% of it in cash. This should give you the peace of mind that the buyer in question isn’t in a chain and does have the money to buy your property. Some offer to tailor the solution to your specific needs, so as always ask, ask ask!

A cash buying company can be a good solution for you as;

• Some can even stop repossession.
• Redecoration may not be necessary, saving you money.
• Solicitors fees can be paid for up to 500 pounds.
• Selling to a cash buying company can also mean you can possibly sell your home and rent back as a tenant.
• Save money on estate agency fees.
• Rest assured the sale can remain confidential.

Now you have the facts, it should help you find a suitable cash home buyer who will give you the best benefits and meet your needs.

Why Sell and rent back your home

Sell my home and rent back is the new choice for many homeowners in the UK, and the reason for choosing this is as varied as the situations. One of the advantages of selling your home and renting back, is you can rent back your property for less than your mortgage and so reducing your monthly outgoings. You may want to consider this if for example you were made redundant and were unable to continue paying the current mortgage. It can last for a short period, like a short-term sell and rent back to provide you with temporary accommodation in your own home while you move in between two properties, or as a quick sale it can provide cash fast to solve some of your debts problems.

Releasing the equity tied up in your property through selling and renting back can give the money needed should you decide to emigrate, relocating for a job or another reason, and in some cases it can even stop repossession. How it works with repossession, is a company can help you with a quick house sale, and communicate with other parties involved about the amount you owe. Because mortgage companies have to ensure that the repayments don’t fall behind a set number of months, to repay the mortgage.

It can also help if you are divorcing or separating form a partner, so dealing with selling the property is one less thing to stress about. This form of selling property can also help you to get out of the property-chain, meaning there is no worry about not having a buyer if you are in a hurry to move, and some companies also offer to be the ‘back-up’ and become the buyer, should your current buyer withdraw for whatever reason.

While it can be a great thing to inherit a property, if it turns out that you need to sell it quickly, either because the cost of the upkeep is too high or other problems, releasing the equity through a quick sale might be a solution which can help.

Some of the disadvantages of sell and rent back, according to some people mean that if you ever had a mortgage then you never did own your own home, it was the bank. You won’t be the legal home owners either. However small or reduced the new rent is when the sell and rent back is completed, your home can still be repossessed if you fail to keep up the repayments. Sell and rent back doesn’t safe guard you from repossession completely, it is just an option for you to remain in the property if you wish, pay less on the rent but over an agreed time period.

However if the property you live in is owned by you, then eventually when all the repayments have been made, it will belong to you, along with all the equity! But this doesn’t apply to a rental property.
Also the disadvantages are reduced offer price of 75-90% of market value. Depending on which company you choose, for some there aren’t any guarantees about how much the rent will be, how long the tenancy will last and the industry as a whole is unregulated. Not to scare you with this story, but in some rare cases a home owner had paid inflated rent, and was later evicted six months later.

Some things to think about or ask when considering sell and rent back;
• Over time would the rent increase?
• Even simple things like the furniture, as if it stays.
• When is the rent payable?
• What is the cost of selling a house to a sell and rent back company?
• In contrast to an agents valuation, how does your offer compare?
• Check if there is a rental deposit payable.
• Can people with housing benefits apply to use sell and rent back?
• Ask how long it takes to sell a property.

Bearing these in mind will help you to feel more in control of your current situation, and allow you to stay level-headed and make the right choice for you.

But as mentioned above and in the previous articles, sell and rent back still remains popular for a variety of reasons. One would be convience, as most companies offer to pay for the fees and legal costs. Another is it can help with your career plans for example moving to the city or abroad, giving you the finances to go after your dreams. And even to stop you worrying about getting evicted or losing your home due to failing with mortgage repayments.

Get the best price for your house

Wondering how to go about it? Well one of the first steps would be to find yourself a good estate agent, and don’t forget the little things like finishing those DIY jobs so your home looks complete, then potential buyers can imagine living there themselves. It makes sense to make sure your home doesn’t have any peeling paint or lingering bad odours. Traditionally sellers would use a neutral colour scheme when selling a property, as it’s a colour that most people will like, and light colours will give the impression of a bigger, brighter and clean home.

In the property market, the state of your home is more likely to make an impression in the slower market and could even add much more to the final sale price. But in the faster property market, the final sale price and speed of the sale itself tends to be more important than the presentation of your home, although that’s not to say making your home look clean and tidy isn’t still worth doing.

Also remove all clutter from the house. This includes any rubbish or skips filled with junk or things from the garden like unwanted shrubs, as any mess could make potential buyers think that the rest of the house is messy, or even that your not serious about selling.

With estate agents its abit more tricky, as you want to find one who will give you the best deal, do their best for you yet are trustworthy.Did you know that you can haggle with the agent, about the rate they charge? From the sale price achieved, commission rates can differ from 1- 3%. Another useful tip is to know what price similar properties in your area have sold for.

However if the agent your using says he’s found a cash buyer for your property, clarify what they mean exactly. It could someone who is ‘chain free’ but the whole transaction could be held up by a hidden mortgage. It should really mean someone who could buy your property with the cash in the bank.

Do you know how the viewings will be taking place?
Some people may be more comfortable showing potential buyers around their homes themselves, take into account houses shown by agents sell quicker, as shown by statistics. The best option would probably be to work with the agents, with you handling the viewings when the agent is unavailable.

Should you ask about what percentage of the sale fall through? Why would you… right? Well you should, as this will give you an indication of how committed the agent is to seeing the sale of your property right from start to finish. Another sign of a good agent, is if they recognize if potential buyers straight off.

Clear communication is key so you could make preparations beforehand, like testing their customer service to see how efficient their response is. The way they handle your enquiry could be indicative of how they deal with potential buyers. One more thing is set a good selling price, slightly below others on the street should help.

In most situations, only agree to a ‘no sale, no fee’ agreement. As always, it would be wise to get all the details in writing prior to signing.

Offer some incentives to potential buyers. Some big developers may offer to give white goods (fridges, freezers, cookers etc), and even paying part of the mortgage in order to secure a transaction. Some could even get your children into the best school in your area because of the postcode.

Another thing to bear in mind are pets; make sure they are out when your showing potential buyers around your home, you want to demonstrate a place of calm and comfort, to relax and unwind or entertain guests. Even if you are trying to sell a family home, a similar rule applies to children, let them stay with friends or relatives while you show buyers around, as it may be difficult to ask them to behave. Don’t forget you are trying to sell the family home, not show people the family in action.

Why sell your home quickly?

Why sell your home quickly? (800)

Sometimes things may happen for no reason, or things may happen out of your control. There may be a time when you need to sell your home quickly and how to choose the best answer shouldn’t be amongst the things to worry too much about. Here we will try and give advice on what is best depending on your situation.

Selling for Relocation – selling on the open market, so no guarantees of how long the time frames will be, whether there will be a lot of buyers and costs like chains can make you feel you have no control. But it’s not all bad news. If you manage to find an appropriate company they ought to let you have control over the timescale of things, some can buy without the need for estate agents and minimising the risk of a chain collapsing.

If you are emigrating think about using a currency exchange specialist to possibly save you thousands, and avoid the high street banks. Once the sale is complete you will need to shift and exchange the finances to the overseas location.

Bereavement – it may be that bereavement has meant that you no longer want to remain in your current property due to painful memories, or you can no longer afford the finances to stay in your property. With the myriad of choices, once you have thought about what you want to do the solution could be clear.

Chain breaking – some companies may offer to step in if you have a broken chain, and for some people it might come as a relief. And by agreeing to sell to a company before finding another property, even allowing you to break the chain. If your situation changes a few companies may be able to work around it, so you don’t lose the sale.

Another option would be if a company bought the property directly from you, easing worries about breaking chains etc, you may be able to negotiate an agreement on completing the purchase, and in exchange let them know when your new property is available.

Financial difficulties – are you suffering from massive debts, facing repossession or eviction? These are just some of the things that can make you worry about your finances. If this is the case you may want to think about having a quick-sale for your property to release some equity, or sell and rent back as an option to remain living in your current home for less.

Immanent repossession doesn’t have to cause you sleepless nights; sometimes simply remortgaging your mortgage can help ease the problem, it can depend on the situation and on the amount that you owe. Sometimes a quick sale may give you enough cash to stop the repossession. Call us to tell us about your current situation and we will try our best to help you find an answer.

Divorce or separation – if this applies to you, then the best thing to do is probably to consult with a family solicitor, as they can point you in the right direction about what to do concerning your current situation, represent you in court if necessary, or advise you on who to contact and where to go for other information.

Ill health is another factor which could lead to a need to sell your home quickly. It could be that you are unable to continue working, thus falling behind with mortgage repayments and a whole bunch of problems can ensue. A quick-sale will give you cash which may be what you are after, or even a short-term sell and rent back while you look for another property to move to, such as the countryside as that may help with ill health.

Another reason to sell your property quickly might be due to a bad investment. It’s happened to most of us at some point, and if you’re lucky it may only cost you a small fortune in which case, a quick sale might be appropriate and then you’ll be ok. If not then you will have to look carefully at the options available to you, such as sell and rent back and see what is best to recover your losses.

Sell your house quickly in a property auction

Why choose to sell through a property auction? It’s a great way to reach a wider range of potential buyers, and there’s likely to be at least someone who is willing to buy your property. And the timeframe for the sale period is crystal clear – 28 days or less! Auctioneers should tell you if your home is suitable to be sold at auction.

A few things to consider when thinking about this option;

• Is your house unique?
• If the rental demand is strong in your area.
• Is your home priced for a quick sale?
• Does your property have any issues like a short lease?
• Will it attract first time buyers?
• Does it have development potential or does it need work?

Location, location, location! Is such a big factor in deciding the final sale price of a property. Amongst other things such as those mentioned above, location is arguably the most influential reason why house buyers would want to start a bidding war. If it is in a good area and has business potential, or is a developers dream, then you have a gem!

Try and pick either a London auction house, or an established local one, as these are more likely to have a loyal house buyers.

Know your legal obligations as well, for example using a solicitor who knows about the common auction system. It is up to you to make sure that every detail about your property is accurate, both in the description and catalogue. Otherwise the buyer to withdraw and claim their deposit back.

When pricing your property, make sure you know what you are doing, most auction houses will recommended a realistic quick property sale price and a reasonable reserve. If the reserve price is low, in fair play the bidding can get quite exciting!

Did you know that some properties are sold before the auction day? Selling this way to reach a quick sale, stress to the auctioneer that you are open to offers prior to the auction.

And as with everything that is as technical as this, always read the small print. If you are unsure of anything to do with the auction, it is always good to ask your solicitor to check it, in case there are things like restrictive clauses. You might want to think about doing this if you are aiming for a quick sale, and especially if your property is on the market and your with an estate agent. If your not careful then you might end up paying double the fees if the contracts overlap, if you read the terms carefully.

So basically, with the right property, carefully reading the paper work and with the right location, selling at auction isn’t so complicated really. The disadvantages of selling in a property auction is mainly price. You will probably only acheive 70-80% of the open market value of your property. Also if the property doesn’t sell then you will still have to pay fees.

Sell your house quickly through the Estate agents

These days it is not too difficult to sell a property yourself, if you know all the details about things like contracts and property auctions. Using agents may be the traditional way of selling your home, but it is particularly suited to;

• A property that has a for a high value
• Buyers who haven’t found a house they like yet
• You if your not stuck to a set time limit
• You if you dont mind your property to have sold in six months
• People who don’t want to be too involved with the sale of a property.

Agents can reduce their price, for example with some you may not need to pay upfront for a HIP, and some might even pay your legal fees! But definitely check with them first. Double check your situation before diving head-first into anything concerning your property; do u need a cash buyer quickly? Are you in a chain but need something to help you move between homes?

Probably the most obvious thing, but if you understand your own situation clearly, giving that information to an agent will help them help you find the best solution. Because they are usually trained or have been in the industry long enough to know a lot of the rules, but it doesn’t hurt to know a thing or two yourself.

There are a few things you can do when choosing an agent to help sell your home; as mentioned above what you inform them to do is just as important as getting the highest sale price for your home.

As mentioned in ‘Find a good estate agent’ you might also want to consider Joint Sole Agency meaning you will have two agents marketing your property simultainously. In a way this can kill two birds with one stone as they can bring more buyers to view your home. And it doesn’t matter which agent finds a buyer first, as the commission will be divided between them at the end. Beware though, that this also means the rates they charge are more than if you used just one agent through Sole Agency.

Even if the agent will reduce their fee, there is still no guarantee of an actual sale. No doubt there will be at least some disadvantages to using agents, such as delays, inconvenience and risk, but if you think about it the advantages tend to outweigh the negatives in the world of property. Unless you need a quick house sale, in that case you may be better off seeking a private sale with a cash buyer / cash buying company

Should You Rent Back After a Quick House Sale?

When faced with mortgage troubles, many owners choose to sell their homes. Sadly, housing market conditions are making it difficult to look for buyers. And so, even if these owners wanted to sell fast, they could not do so. In the United Kingdom, there is another option that can be explored that also involves a quick house sale. The sell and rent back solution has become quite popular because of the private and efficient transactions. Many owners have even avoided repossession successfully.

For owners who have yet to find financial stability, selling their home via quick house sale will provide them with an easy way out of their money problems. If these owners need some time to get their finances sorted out, they could still enjoy living at their homes even after selling it. This time, they would be renting their homes. A sale and rent back contract or agreement can even include an option to buy back their homes after some time.

If you consider renting back your home, you are just being very practical. You and your family do not need to change your routine or go thru the hassle of changing schools, etc. Selling and renting back your home is guaranteed to promote a semblance of normalcy in your life. Now, who would not want that?

Deciding on a quick house sale with an option to rent back should now be simpler. Naturally, you will have to find a sell and rent back company that will buy your home for a very reasonable price and agree also to rent it back to you for a fair amount – plus an option to buy back. This, of course, should be a bit challenging. For starters, there are many companies that advertise their sell and rent back products but some of them simply can not be trusted. There are instances wherein these companies were known to take advantage of the situation and make promises that they would never keep.

Owners should always consider professionalism and reliability when looking for a company offering a quick house sale. Companies like Rent Back Direct will provide you all these things plus excellent customer service. You can ask for a sample quotation in order to have an idea how much your property can be bought and rented back.