There are many reasons why you might want or need to sell your home quickly. One, in particular, is to relocate or emigrate.
You might be relocating within the UK or you might be thinking of moving abroad for work, family commitments, retirement or even a relationship.
Whatever the reason, there’s a lot to consider and do before you sell up and move away.
Read on for more information to help make the move easier.
Things to consider before selling
- Timing– once you’ve decided to sell you’ll need to work out whether you want to complete the sale of your property before or after you relocate. This is particularly important if you’re emigrating. If you choose to sell once you’re abroad you’ll need someone to help with your financial affairs back in the UK.
- Chose the right agent and conveyancer- Whether you decide to rent or sell your property it’s a good idea to shop around for an Estate agent who knows how to manage the process. Again this is particularly important if you’re emigrating, it will help speed up the process if they specialise in this area.
Finding the right conveyancer will also help speed up the process as they will be able to handle most of the sale on your behalf.
This will be a solicitor or other legal professional who can take care of drafting the various mandatory legal documents that are needed to sell your home.
If you’re selling after you’ve moved it’s a good idea to find a conveyancer who is located close to your previous address.
Just like finding an estate agent, it’s a good idea to shop around. Find one who has good a good rating and reputation. If you’ve already moved, and especially if you’re now abroad you’ll need one who you can trust and is comfortable with dealing with you over the phone or email.
- Be realistic about pricing – You may have a figure in your head when it comes to your asking price. However, it will be the current real estate market trends in your area that will determine how quickly you are to sell and at what price.
Your estate agent will have a comparative market analysis so you can get a better idea of the price you will need to list to sell your house fast.
However, you should be prepared to go below the amount you originally thought of.
Make any necessary repairs- A potential buyer won’t want to start fixing things around the house as soon as they move in. Fixing any major or necessary repairs before listing your property can help speed the process along.
So take a look around your home and look for things such as:
- leaking taps
- broken lights
- cracked tiles
- broken doors or draws
- Damaged countertops in the kitchen or bathroom
Make a list and aim to have them fixed before you approach an estate agent.
Give it an update
As well as making necessary repairs, it’s a good idea to give your home a little update. You don’t have to spend thousands on a renovation. However, replacing old carpets and giving the walls a lick of paint and replacing taps and light fixtures will help. Especially if your house is a little outdated in style as this could put off any potential buyer.
You may also want to think about the exterior of your house as well. After all, that will be the first thing a potential buyer will notice. So be sure to look at fences, your front door and windows.
Alternatives to traditional marketing and selling
Traditionally, you would seek out an estate agent and list your property through them. However, there are a few alternative ways to help get the word out that you are selling your home. These days a lot more people are using the internet to search for their next property. So it makes sense to utilise tools such as social media platforms to help find a potential buyer.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are great places for getting your friends and family to help share your home listing.
Cash buyer
When it comes to selling, you can always consider looking for a cash buyer. There are far fewer delays with this option as they’re not waiting for a loan company to approve them. However, be sure to ask for proof of funds. This option comes with a risk of being messed around so be sure to do your research into this potential buyer.
Auctioneer
An auctioneer can act as an estate agent and help list your property. This will take some of the pressure off as they will do the hard work that’s involved with the sale. Again, this option does carry its downsides. The auctioneer may want you to set a reserve price that is lower than the price you were hoping to achieve. You may also be required to pay auctioneer fees. This changes depending on whether a provision has been included so that the winning bidder is responsible instead.
Is selling the right thing to do?
If you’re looking to relocate due to work, you may need to move quicker than expected. However, putting your house up for sale may end up being a long process. Renting offers you a less risky option to consider, especially if you’re short on time. If you’re not relocating or emigrating for work then renting could be a good way to get a feel for your new area/country.
Talk to HMRC
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling or renting your home. It’s still important to let HMRC know of your intentions and seek appropriate financial advice.
If you’re emigrating then you may be liable for paying Capital Gains Tax if you sell your old home after moving overseas. This tax is charged on the profit that you make from selling assets (your home in this case) So be sure to check if you are liable before moving.
Potential difficulties you may face
- Tight schedules- Be aware that you’ll have a lot of deadlines when you’re relocating. So good time management is key. If you’re moving abroad for work you’ll need to time your moving dates for when your job starts/visas and travel rules. Also in this current climate be sure to check if there are any COVID-19 restrictions. Work out how long each stage of selling will take and go from there.
- Flexibility- Selling your home isn’t always a straightforward process. Staying flexible and being open to any alternatives will be key to selling your home quickly.
- Distance- Even if you’re staying in the UK, if you’re new property is far from your old one it could be time-consuming to complete the sale if you’re not there in person.
Selling your home quickly to relocate can be both an exciting and stressful time.
We can help take the pressure off and give you some peace of mind. Sell House Fast Liverpool helps with everything from the valuation of your home to appointing a solicitor. It has worked for plenty of people across Liverpool, and we can help you, too.
