Making the decision to sell your home is an emotional one, and if you’ve never done it before, it can be overwhelming. But no matter where you’re moving to, Camberwell is our home, and no one knows how to sell here quite like us. We’ve broken down the key aspects of a sale so you can go into it feeling confident and without any unexpected surprises.
Go on a fact-finding mission
When it comes to selling, the more you know the better. The market is always changing, and understanding your local area is key – but what do you need to know?
- The house prices in your area. You can find a good starting benchmark through sites like Rightmove and Zoopla.
- The demand in your area. Who is looking and how many? Right now, the UK is in a seller’s market, so demand in and around SE5 is high.
- Problems you might encounter. For example, do you still have a mortgage, and have you checked the fees you could incur by moving?
- Get a valuation on your home. Once you’re ready to take the next step, you can book a free valuation.
- Setting time aside to gain insight into your postcode is well worth it, and will help you in every step that follows.
Understand what’s driving local property prices
Like any other London borough, prices in Camberwell and Denmark Hill are booming, and competition is fierce. Take the time to discover what’s driving house prices in your vicinity. SE5 is up-and-coming, so house prices here are shifting at a record pace; the average semi-detached property sold for £1.3million last year in the area. Keeping an eye on the changes can help you evaluate your home’s value – but if you want a more accurate estimate, you can book a free valuation with us.
Think about adding value to your property
Buyers have a variety of reasons to buy, and the secret to securing one is to think of them as your customer, and create a space that they would want. Ask yourself, what would you look for in your ideal home? While you can’t create anything specific, the one thing people always want is more space – and investing in an extension can tip the scales towards a sale. If you’re thinking about extending to add value, every little helps. An extra bedroom can increase the value of your home by 20%, whereas an extra bathroom can add 5% - small numbers alone but can have a huge impact.
Discover and understand your finances
We can’t stress this enough – know what’s in your wallet. By understanding the money you have available, as well as the funds that could come in, you’ll be prepared to face the fast-paced world of selling. We’ve broken down some of the costs you may come across:
Estate agent fees
Your estate agent provides a vital service. They’re your point of contact throughout the journey – dedicating their time to ensuring your home is ready to sell, reaches the right people, and that there is a smooth transition between stages. They offer expertise every step of the way and their fee will reflect this.
EPCs
Your EPC or Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement and must be done before you put your house on the market. This ranks your home in a chart of how efficient it is, and the greener, the better. It costs between £60 to £120 depending on the size of your home. You can search for an assessor in your local area, or through the government website.
Solicitor/conveyancer fees
The amount your solicitor could charge depends on the value and type of home you’re selling. The cost can range from £400 to £1,500, however, with the amount of paperwork, it could be money well spent: we’ll cover this in more detail later.
Taxes