Step 1: Initial Research

The first step in selling your home is to do some initial research. This will involve determining the current market value of your home, researching comparable properties in your area, and identifying any unique features or selling points that may appeal to potential buyers. 

You can start by checking out Rightmove – look for homes similar to yours in size and location. You can make a bet that if the flat upstairs from you sold last month for £150,000 then yours is likely going to be close to that too. 

Comparing flats and new builds is usually much easier than the likes of a farm house or a property that has been renovated, extended and refurbished by numerous owners. New builds and flats generally have “comparables” that are easier to find. “Comparables” are where a surveyor is likely to start – looking at what has sold in the last few years that is similar to your home.

At Rayted Property, we can provide you with a free home valuation and market analysis to help you get started and we can talk to you about local comparable properties that will give an indication of the value of your home.

Or you could just ask your local version of “Wee Jeannie” – every street’s got one. She’ll be able to tell you how much Jimmy-over-the-road sold his house for last year.

Step 2: Home Report and Energy Performance Certificate

In Scotland, it is a legal requirement for homeowners to provide a Home Report and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to potential buyers. A home report is a short report done by a Chartered Surveyor on the general condition of your home and includes a survey, valuation, and energy efficiency rating, while the EPC assesses the energy efficiency of the property. 

You must have these documents in place before publicly marketing your property in Scotland. 

A surveyor will start with comparable properties in your area – what “looks like” yours, what’s in the same area, what has the same number of bedrooms. This will give an idea of what people are generally prepared to pay for in your area.

After they’ve got this information, they’ll come and do a home visit. This will allow them to assess your home but apply ‘real-life’ to it. They know that if your neighbour has a smaller garden, or if you’ve done an extension that you’re home is likely to have a higher valuation. However, the reverse is also true, if your home is needing work done, perhaps has wood rot, mould or water ingress, this is likely to affect the value negatively as the incoming buyer is expected to do work to bring the property up to living standard.

Most home reports won’t be a surprise when you see the value but you do need one of these to give potential buyers an overall generalisation of the condition of your home.

Along with your Home Report you’ll get an Energy Performance Certificate, an EPC. 

The EPC is typically done at the smae time as your Home Report, normally your surveyor, who will carry out an inspection of the property to assess its energy performance. The assessor will take into account factors such as the type of construction, insulation, heating and lighting systems, and renewable energy sources such as solar panels or heat pumps.

The EPC provides a rating for the energy efficiency of the property, which ranges from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient). The rating is based on the amount of energy the property uses per square meter of floor space, as well as the carbon emissions associated with that energy use.

In addition to the rating, the EPC also includes information on the estimated energy costs for heating, lighting and hot water, as well as recommendations for energy-efficient improvements that could be made to the property. These recommendations may include installing double-glazed windows, improving insulation, or upgrading heating systems.

It can be good for both buyer and seller to have an EPC because it will give the seller a place they may be able to add value to the home before they sell it, but it also gives a buyer an idea of how they might add immediate value to the property once they are in.

Step 3: Engage with a Solicitor

If you don’t yet have a solicitor we can help arrange one on your behalf.

Your solicitor will handle all of the legal aspects of the transfer and the transaction. Your buyer (and the person whom you are buying a home from) will also have their own solicitors – this is why you might have heard of a property chain, this is where you buying, lets someone else buy, which lets someone else buy, and so on. The chain develops because if one of these fails, or pulls out the chain can collapse.

Though you probably don’t think about it, your home sale is a big contract negotiation and your solicitor will handle all of the legal aspects of the sale, drafting the contract and making sure that you consider any possible aspects of the sale. They will look into things that you may not have thought of, planning permission aspects, coal reports, as well as the more obvious negotiation items like price and move-out dates.

They will also help streamline the mortgage process (if you are using one) by making checks about the property that the mortgage company normally request as part of the lending process. 

If you are both buying and selling they are acting on your behalf on two separate actions, the sale of your current home, and the purchase of your next one.

If you have any possible legal questions they should be directed to your solicitor.

Step 4: Marketing and Advertising

One of the most important aspects of selling your home is getting it in front of a large audience of potential buyers. At Rayted Property, we have a proven track record of success in digital marketing and advertising and can help you maximize your home’s exposure through a variety of channels, including social media, online listings, and targeted email campaigns.

As well as knowing the property market, we’ve got a team of social “whizzkids” who are experts in their field. It is their job to get your home in front of as many potential buyers as possible. They are smart about this and utilise our Rightmove listings in conjunction with the information we have on buyers and sellers browsing our website – this means that they can cleverly narrow in on the right kind of people who are more likely to buy, and bid for your home. 

It isn’t about getting it in front of as many people as possible, its about getting it in front of the right people at the right time that is going to maximise your bidders and the final price you get for your home.

Step 5: Receiving Offers

Once your home is on the market, potential buyers will begin to submit offers. The initial offers will come to our negotiation team at Rayted and we have people who train specifically for clinching the best deal for you.

We will then discuss the next best steps with you, and at this point everyone is different. Perhaps you’ve also spotted a home and you want to take the first offer that meets your asking price? Or perhaps you are happy to wait it out for a few weeks in order to whip up a bidding frenzy? Whatever your goals are, we’ll work with you to advise on what we think is the best position and place for you to act, and we’ll always work on your behalf.

When you have verbally accepted an offer we’ll ask that the buyer solicitor gets in touch with your solicitor to make a written proposal – this will start the contract draft and we can start to discuss move in/out dates with all parties.

Your solicitor will review and draft your contract at this point, taking into account any special conditions or contingencies. 

At Rayted Property, we can help you navigate this process and ensure that you receive the best possible offer for your home.

Step 6: Closing the Deal

After you’ve accepted an offer, you’ll need to go through the process of closing the deal. This will involve finalising the contract of sale, completing any necessary paperwork, and transferring ownership of the property to the buyer. Your solicitor will guide you through this process and ensure that everything is done in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations.

After that it’s done, all that’s left to do now is pack and go. 

Why Choose Rayted Property?

At Rayted Property, we understand that selling your home can be a complex and sometimes stressful process. That’s why we offer a range of services to help you every step of the way, from initial research to closing the deal. 

Our team of experienced agents, negotiators and digital marketing experts can help you get your home in front of a large audience of potential buyers, negotiate offers on your behalf, and guide you through the legal aspects of the sale. 

Choose Rayted Property to represent you, and let us help you sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.