16/01/2020

Many people believe that spring is the best time of year to sell a house when the weather improves and the days get longer, but data suggests that for a speedy sale January is the month to put your property on the market.

It seems that homes that are put on the market in January tend to sell the quickest, suggesting that after the lull over Christmas people are keen to get moving.

Clearly, the best time to sell a house is when the largest number of people are actively looking to buy. This tends to be between February and June but by getting ahead of the game in January, you could be increasing your chance of a quicker sale.

When it comes to selling a property you always have to be thinking ahead to the next step in the process, so once you’ve put your house on the market, you need to choose a solicitor who you trust to take care of the conveyancing.

Your estate agent might recommend a solicitor to you but be cautious about accepting this recommendation. It might be that the solicitor is paying your estate agent a fee in return for being recommended, not necessarily that they’re the right firm for you.

To avoid unnecessary delays and frustration with your sale, I would advise choosing a solicitor, not just based on cost, but based on how responsive they are.

Can you speak directly to a qualified solicitor, not just a call handler, when you need them? Do they answer your calls and emails promptly and explain things clearly? Do you have confidence that your move will be treated as a priority and you will be kept updated throughout? These factors are every bit as important as the price.

When it comes to your conveyancing quote, make sure you are given a full break down of all payments that you will be required to make, not just the legal fees. You need to have absolute clarity over fees for searches, banks and Land Registry and any additional legal fees, for example, those associated with Help to Buy, leasehold or shared ownership properties.

Moving house can be stressful and not all sales and purchases are straightforward, but with good planning and an experienced solicitor at your side, it is definitely possible to minimise stress and ensure this is the exciting time in your life that it should be.

For a chat about how we can support your move or a no-obligation quote, email enquiry@beswicks.com or phone 01782 205000. We’d love to help you with your move.