How to Speed Up the Selling Process

Selling your home is often one of life’s most exciting chapters – but there is no denying it can also be one of the most frustrating.

You’ve been through the marketing and negotiating and have accepted an offer. What comes next may also seem to be a process that takes weeks longer than you expected.

Delays can cause chains to collapse and buyers to pull out, which might mean you lose out on your dream home.

With so much at stake, it is no wonder people list it as one of the most stressful things anyone ever goes through!

There is good news, however, because whilst you can’t control everything, there are steps you can take to speed things up and keep your sale on track. The one thing you don’t want to be in a sale process is the weak link in a chain.

Get Your Paperwork Ready Early

Many delays happen simply because sellers don’t have the correct paperwork to hand. Before you even put your property on the market, get the following things together:

• Valid, in-date proof of identity (passport or driving licence).
• Title deeds (or details from HM Land Registry if digital).
• Details of Your Current Mortgage, if applicable, including the most recent mortgage statement.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – a legal requirement, and valid for 10 years, but it is a requirement to redo them if any significant changes have been made in that 10-year period before you then come to market or remarket the property.
• Planning permissions, building regulation certificates, FENSA certificates for new windows, and any guarantees for work done.
• Leasehold information, if applicable.

Choose the Right Estate Agent and Solicitor

An efficient, proactive estate agent and solicitor can shave weeks off the process. “But aren’t they all the same?” – No, truthfully, they really are not.

Look for professionals with:

• Strong communication skills.
• Experience handling sales in your area.
• Strategy – estate agents for the marketing and sales progression, solicitors in terms of support around them and contingency plans for periods of absence (honestly, one of the most frustrating things that can happen during the sale is a solicitor going on holiday with nobody appointed to progress matters in their absence – something that can absolutely derail a sale at the wrong moment).

If you are proactive yourself, you can ask your solicitor to open a file as soon as your property is listed and get on with completing TA6 and TA10 forms, so that they are ready to act as soon as you accept an offer.

Be Flexible with Viewings

The quicker you secure a buyer, the quicker the process starts. Make your home as accessible as you possibly can for viewings and try not to get frustrated by requests for second or even third/fourth viewings.

• Allow evening and weekend appointments unless family reasons, such as toddlers’ bedtimes, prevent it.
• Keep the house tidy and ready to show.
• Respond quickly to requests for access – remember, it isn’t just buyers; their surveyors and the lender’s valuer will require access, and if further checks are recommended, it is hard to justify denying access to damp specialists or electricians to carry out those checks, even if not strictly a legal requirement.

Respond Promptly to Enquiries

Once a sale is agreed, solicitors will get into the legal process and raise questions called enquiries. The sooner you reply, the lower the risk of bottlenecks. Keep your phone and email handy and try to return requested documents the same day.

Don’t get frustrated and remember that the buyer’s solicitor will also be acting for the buyer’s lender, in almost every case. Many sellers get frustrated with the buyer, saying things like: “They know that! We told them when they came to view!”

They might know it, but their lender doesn’t, and in fact, the buyer is probably entirely unaware that the query is even being raised.

Stay In Touch with Your Chain

If you’re buying and selling at the same time, the chain can add complexity. Stay proactive by:

• Keeping in touch with your agent regularly for updates.
• Asking your agent to liaise with all parties to identify target dates early but set realistic timescales.
• Being flexible with completion dates to accommodate others.

The catastrophic arguments we have seen in our time over a final move date! Suffice to say, emotions run high, and sometimes principle gets in the way of common sense, sometimes jeopardising everything at the very last ditch. This is why understanding all parties’ circumstances and non-negotiables early on regarding dates will pay dividends down the line.

Be Honest About Your Property and its Foibles

Trying to hide issues (like damp, rot, roof issues or disputes with neighbours) will only slow things down when they’re uncovered later – because they will be uncovered.

Be upfront from the start, provide all the relevant documents and be open about any missing documents.

Buyers appreciate transparency, and solicitors can get to work early to find appropriate workarounds. It avoids nasty surprises coming up when the stakes are high, which often threaten the sale.

Consider a Chain-Free Sale

If speed or simple security of sale are your top priorities, you might consider breaking the chain and moving into temporary accommodation to facilitate a sale. Consider the following:

• Moving into a rented or a family member’s property before your purchase is ready, making you chain-free.
• Accepting a lower offer if the buyer seems safer or more serious.
• Exploring part-exchange schemes with developers if you are looking at new builds, which removes your own need for a buyer.

One thing to note, however: If you are looking to port an existing mortgage to a new property at the point of purchase, you will need to explore with them whether there is any option to break the chain; often, the lender will not allow the port if this happens, as they won’t entertain the break in mortgage payments.

Final Thoughts

Selling a home is complex, but by being prepared, responsive, and proactive, you can cut weeks off the process.

The key is to employ the right professionals to look after your interests, keep communication flowing, and handle paperwork promptly – or even in advance.

You will reduce the risk of delays and be able to move ahead with complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to sell a property?
From listing to completion, it typically takes around 190 days, according to the latest data from The Voice of The Agent but being prepared can speed up the process.

How can I speed up conveyancing?
Choose a proactive solicitor based on their online reviews and personal recommendations, not based on cheap fees. Get your documents ready early and reply quickly to all enquiries.

Does a cash buyer speed things up?
It can do, but cash buyers can also cause problems and have less riding on the process prior to exchanging with a 10% deposit. However, without the need for a mortgage, cash buyers often complete quicker, in weeks rather than months, when the chain allows.

Can I sell my house without a chain?
Yes, if you sell before you buy and move into temporary rented accommodation. Chain-free sales are generally quicker and more attractive to buyers – but be careful if you plan to port your existing mortgage, as your lender may not allow the break.

What causes the biggest delays in property sales?
Slow local authority searches, delayed mortgage valuations and approvals, missing paperwork, arguments about indemnity policies, and problems that occur elsewhere in chains are amongst the most common culprits.

If you’re ready to place your home on the market, and would like a free valuation, e-mail Nick Harris or Teresa Ling on hello@quarters.agency – we’re here to help!