A 10 Step Guide to Selling Your Home in Preston

Estate agents market your property, introduce buyers, conduct viewings, negotiate offers and guide the sale to completion.

Therefore, choosing the right estate agent with strong local expertise in Preston is key.

The best agent will give you honest advice, negotiate well and market your home to the right audience.

Do not choose based only on the lowest fees or highest valuation.

Spend time speaking to agents in person. Ask friends for recommendations and visit their websites to see the quality of service they offer.

The right estate agent will feel professional and give you confidence. Good agents already have a database of active buyers.

Once you accept an offer, instruct a solicitor straight away.

Next, your solicitor will prepare the draft contract, handle enquiries and keep the sale moving.

It is common to use the same solicitor for both your sale and any onward purchase.

Choose a solicitor who acts quickly. Inefficient solicitors are one of the main reasons sales fall through.

However, if you would like us to recommend a reliable solicitor, simply call us on 01772 298 298.

First impressions matter.

We recommend your home is professionally cleaned, bright, clutter-free and in good repair before photos are taken.

For example, a tidy property attracts more buyers and helps achieve a better price.

You do not need a full refurbishment, but think about your target buyer. Complete any outstanding DIY jobs, declutter rooms and tidy the garden.

A fresh coat of paint and some new soft furnishings can make a big difference.

See our seller guide for more tips on preparing your property.

To find your perfect buyer you need maximum exposure.

First, our in-house photographers will take professional photos, create floor plans and write detailed descriptions that highlight your home’s best features.

We also include maps, local amenities and transport information.

We list your property on our own high-traffic website plus Rightmove, Zoopla and other major portals.

We also send details to our registered applicants, prime buyers and search agents.

We have access to all kinds of buyers from all over the world and not just London and your local area.

You may prefer an off-market, low-profile sale with a reduced level of publicity. We are happy to work this way and have done many times before.

Market knowledge and effective coverage

Our clients benefit from a tailor-made marketing programme which includes:

• Cash or unencumbered buyer: These are attractive buyers, as there are fewer obstacles which could hinder the process.
• Individually tailored sales plans
• Full-colour brochures with floor plans
• Properties live online within 48 hours
• Internet marketing via key property portals
• ‘For Sale’ board for your property
• An award winning and trusted brand
• A nationwide register of clients
• Alerts to suitable buyers
• Discreet marketing service available.
• Personal and friendly customer service
• Accompanied viewings
• Follow-up on all enquiries and feedback from viewings
• Negotiation of offers to get the best price
• Follow-up of sale from offer to completion

We arrange and conduct all viewings at times that suit you.

Our team will always accompany buyers and provide honest feedback after each viewing. This helps us refine the marketing if needed.

When offers come in, we present them to you clearly with our professional recommendation.

Next, we negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible price and favourable terms.

At the same time, we will also advise you on the strength of each buyer’s position (chain-free, mortgage approved, etc.).

Once you are happy with an offer, we will formally accept it on your behalf and notify all parties.

However, at this stage we stop marketing the property to new buyers but continue to support the sale until contracts are exchanged.

This is the stage where legal work intensifies.

Meanwhile, your solicitor will handle searches, draft contracts, and manage enquiries from the buyer’s solicitor.

We act as the central point of communication.

We chase progress and keep you regularly updated on expected exchange and completion dates.

On completion day, the keys are handed over and the sale is finalised.

Finally, we will support you right up until moving day.

We remain available afterwards if you need any assistance with the transition.

Congratulations, your property is now sold!