FAQs Estate Agency – Buying & Selling a House
1. What is the process for buying a house in the UK?
Buying a home involves:
✔️ Mortgage pre-approval – Secure financing before making an offer
✔️ Property search – Find a suitable home and make an offer
✔️ Conveyancing – A solicitor handles legal checks and contracts
✔️ Surveys & searches – Identify potential issues with the property
✔️ Exchange of contracts – Legally binding agreement with deposit paid
✔️ Completion – Final payment made, and keys handed over
2. What fees should I expect when selling a home?
Selling costs include:
💰 Estate agent fees – Typically 1–3% of the sale price
💰 Conveyancing fees – Legal costs for handling the sale
💰 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – Required for marketing
💰 Removal costs – If hiring a moving service
3. How do I get the best price for my property?
✔️ Stage your home – Make it visually appealing - Properts advise on this!
✔️ Set a competitive price – Based on market trends, we have over 20 years of local experience and knowledge!
✔️ Use professional photography – High-quality images attract buyers (Included in the Properts package)
✔️ Market effectively – List on Properts’ website and let us use portals and social media
4. What should I check when buying a home?
🔍 Structural condition – Look for damp, cracks, or roofing issues
🔍 Local amenities – Schools, transport links, and shops
🔍 Legal restrictions – Leasehold/freehold status, planning permissions
🔍 Energy efficiency – EPC rating and heating system
5. What happens if my house doesn’t sell quickly?
If your property isn’t selling:
✔️ Review pricing – Adjust based on market conditions
✔️ Improve marketing – Use Properts’ targeted social media strategies
✔️ Enhance presentation – Minor renovations or staging can help
✔️ Consider incentives – Offering flexibility on completion dates
6. How do property chains affect buying or selling?
A property chain occurs when multiple transactions depend on each other. Chains can cause delays or fall-throughs, so Properts helps manage timelines and negotiations to keep sales moving.
7. What are the best ways to market a property?
📢 List on Properts’ website – AI-optimised for search visibility
📢 Use social media ads – Targeted campaigns on Facebook & Instagram
📢 Professional photography & video tours – Increase engagement
📢 Highlight key selling points – Location, features, and lifestyle benefits
8. Should I renovate before selling my home?
Minor upgrades like painting, fixing leaks, and improving kerb appeal can boost value. Major renovations should be cost-effective—Properts can advise on which improvements add the most value.
9. What are the pros and cons of using an estate agent vs. selling privately?
✔️ Estate Agent Pros – Professional marketing, negotiation expertise, wider buyer reach
❌ Estate Agent Cons – Fees apply
✔️ Selling Privately Pros – No agent fees, direct control
❌ Selling Privately Cons – Limited exposure, complex legal process
10. How can I negotiate the best price when buying?
✔️ Research market trends – Know the property’s true value
✔️ Make a strong initial offer – But leave room for negotiation
✔️ Highlight any issues – Use surveys to justify price reductions
✔️ Be flexible – Sellers may accept lower offers for quicker completion