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Homeowner's guide to selling

Before putting your house on the market, there are a few things to do which are either a legal requirement or will help you attract a buyer and achieve the best possible price.

Home Reports

Home Reports are mandatory in Scotland for residential properties, with a few exceptions such as for New Build Homes.

A Home Report is a three-document package that shows buyers your property's condition:

A Single Survey

This report evaluates the property's condition, value, and accessibility.

Energy Report

The energy report evaluates the property's energy efficiency, environmental impact, and recommended efficiency improvements.

Property Questionnaire

The seller completes the Property Questionnaire, which includes Council Tax band and changes that have been made to the property.

Marketing a property without a Home Report could result in a fine, as could failing to provide a buyer with a Home Reports within 9 days of request.

Find out more about Home Reports HERE.

Smoke Detectors

The law has changed and every home in Scotland must now have:

• one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
• one smoke alarm in every hallway and landing
• one heat alarm in the kitchen

All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked.

For more information on fire alarms, click HERE.

C02 Detectors

If you have a carbon-fuelled (gas) appliance such as boiler, fire, heater or flue in any room, you must also have a carbon monoxide (CO2) detector in that room, but this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

Home Staging

With many purchasing decisions made within minutes of visiting a house, it pays to prepare your property for marketing and viewings. Potential buyers will also decide whether to view your property based on online photos.

Before taking pictures and before viewings, take a quick look through our checklist:

• Fix any loose door handles and dropped hinges
• Repaint or touch up paintwork as needed
• Pro-clean carpets
• Regrout the bath, shower, and basin
• Keep the drive clear
• Hide wheelie bins
• Mow the lawn, sweep up leaves, power wash patios and paths
• Clean windows and glass doors
• Plump and place sofa cushions neatly
• Place a bowl of flowers or magazines on dining and coffee tables
• Remove rugs
• Hide children's toys, pet bowls, and litter trays
• Clean the kitchen sink, taps and worktops
• Empty and hide kitchen bins
• Remove fridge magnets and kids' paintings
• Replace any broken light bulbs and turn on lights
• Open windows and blinds on warm days to let in fresh air
• Make and smooth beds
• Close drawers and cupboards and hide valuables
• Put toothbrushes away and declutter bathroom
• Close the shower curtain and replace the toilet paper
• Hang clean, folded towels on rails
• Put toilet lids down

Conveyancing

After accepting an offer subject to contract, you will need to hire a conveyancing solicitor. If you haven’t already got one, we can refer* you to one.

Your solicitor will negotiate 'missives' concluded with the buyer's solicitor. This will include negotiating what is and isn’t included in the sale.

Your buyer's will also need to produce proof of their mortgage offer or proof of finances needed to purchase the property. This will also include Anti Money Laundering (AML) checks.

Your buyer will then pay their deposit into your solicitor's bank account. Both parties have then legally agreed to the sale and purchase.

Contracts can now be exchanged, and completion scheduled.

Paperwork

After the buyer's solicitor finishes their research and any mortgage valuation surveys, your solicitor will request the title documents from the land registry and draw up new ones to transfer ownership.

Moving Preparations

Planning and packing can begin once you know your moving date.

Moving day will be easier if you prepare in advance.

Pre-booking a removals company is recommended. They also offer boxes and high-quality packaging. Many of our clients and customers have used and strongly suggest local ones.

Contact your amenity providers and council to close or transfer your contracts and council tax account to your new location.

Completion

Your solicitor must transfer legal possession of the home to your buyer and collect the balance on completion day.

We can provide your buyer the keys after your solicitor notifies us of payment.

Congratulations! You have now sold your property.

There will still be a few things for your solicitor to complete, such as:

Repay mortgages and transfer funds for a property purchase you are making, and/or arranging payment or Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT).

If you want to know more about the moving process or would like to discuss your next move, our friendly and helpful team would love to hear from you.

Get in touch today.