A complete guide to selling your home

How to sell your house: step-by-step

Selling a house can feel overwhelming, but this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Each stage of selling a home will be explained clearly and simply, so you know what to expect. We’ll provide links to other useful content throughout if you need to learn more about anything specific.

Let’s get into the guide and tackle selling your home.

1. Decide if selling is right for you

Selling a home is a big decision, so first, think about whether it’s truly the right decision for you. People sell for different reasons, some include:

• Relocating for a new role or position
• Moving to a larger home as the family extends
• Downsizing after kids move out
• Changes in personal circumstances (marriage, separation, etc)
• Retiring and moving to a new area or type of home
• And anything else…

Whatever the reason, you’ll go through a similar process when selling your home.

You might also want to consider if staying put and renovating could be a cheaper or better alternative than moving – adding an extension, converting the attic, or digging a basement may cost less than changing properties. Although this won’t be an effective strategy for everyone, it’s worth considering, especially if your goal is to upsize.

4. Choose an estate agent to help sell your property

When it comes time to list your home, you have options – using a local agent, an online agent, or even selling on your own without an agent.

If you go it alone, know that it involves a lot of work and isn’t ideal if you lack experience. It’s always safer to go with an estate agent.

The choice between a local or online agent depends on your needs. Selling a home can become complicated, so take time to weigh the options and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You need to find the best fit for you.

Here are some pros and cons of online and local estate agents:

Online agent

Pros:

• Lower fees and competitive pricing
• Efficient, easy-to-use online platforms
• Large reach to audiences, sometimes making it quicker to sell

Cons:

• Lack of local expertise and hands-on support
• Viewings may have to be hosted by the seller
• Lack of personalised services

Local estate agent

Pros

• Strong knowledge of the local market
• Hands-on experience with viewing and negotiations
• Personalised experiences and responsiveness

Cons

• Commission rates tend to be higher
• Smaller online presence and advertising budgets
• Smaller buyer reach
• May have tech gaps or use outdated practices

To summarise – online agents provide lower fees and broad digital exposure, while local agents offer specialised community knowledge and in-person support.

There are good reasons to consider either option. The right choice depends on your specific priorities and needs as the seller.

Think about your budget sensitivity and how you prefer to communicate. Research to work out what matters most to you. Then select the option that best fits your situation and needs.

7. Instruct a conveyancer

It’s time to instruct a conveyancer if you haven’t already – this can be done before or after accepting an offer on your home. They’ll act on your behalf for the legal work of selling your home.

If buying, you must wait until have an offer accepted to instruct a conveyancer. But since you already own the property you can get the ball rolling sooner, from when your house is on the market.

It’s also important to note that sellers are soon going to be required to provide more information about their property to potential buyers as part of the Upfront Information legislation change. Part A has been released, requiring all property listings to display the property/rental price, council tax band, and tenure information.

Parts B and C are set to be released soon which will cover issues that may stop a buyer viewing a property such as the availability of utilities. It will also cover whether the property is impacted by things such as flood risk, building safety and restrictive covenants. Learn more here.

Instructing a conveyancer soon after listing can give you a head start and prevent delays down the road. Before having a buyer, your conveyancer can:

• Verify identity
• Source property Deeds
• Obtain a copy of the lease (if applicable)
• Draft the contract
• Have the seller complete conveyancing protocol forms

Getting your conveyancer in place early helps streamline the process later when things get busier. It’s one less thing to worry about.

If you’re looking for a conveyancer to help sell your property, trust Eden. We understand that selling your home can be overwhelming, we’re here to make it simple. Know that support will always be available to guide you through each step and the legal intricacies.

First-time buyers

First-time buyers, whether moving out of rented accommodation or living with their parents, are typically seen as being in a good buying position as they are chain-free. Opting for a buyer without a property chain could speed up the process for you as a seller, resulting in a quicker completion than expected.

Buyers in a chain

Anyone who needs to sell their property to purchase yours is going to be a part of a chain, which could significantly slow down the sale of your property. This chain could be one, or it could be twenty. Typically, the longer the chain, the higher the risk of delays.

Cash buyers

Typically considered the most attractive type of buyer, cash buyers offer speed, certainty, and relatively low hassle. Although you may have to pay the price for this (literally), as cash buyers tend to offer below the asking price in exchange for the quick process.

Once an offer is received, you can formally accept or decline it with your agent’s help. Know that you can also attempt to open negotiations, often a buyer’s first offer is not necessarily their best.

9. Pre-exchange

After accepting an offer, you enter the pre-exchange stage where legal work gets underway. Your conveyancer coordinates with the buyer’s conveyancer (and anyone else involved) to progress the sale.

Your conveyancer is there to support you and answer questions during this busy time. They’ll be working hard drafting documents, completing protocol forms, obtaining Title Deeds, and more. It’s also their job to lead negotiations, including:

• The exchange and completion date
• What's included in the sale price
• Payment for additional items
• Resolving any issues

If you have a mortgage on your current property, then your conveyancer will request a redemption statement from your lender to determine the outstanding amount owed. This informs how much of the house sale proceeds will go to your mortgage provider.

Learn more about what a conveyancer does here.

11. Preparing to move out of your home

By now you’ve likely agreed on a completion date, so it’s time to start planning for the big move as you move closer to that important day.

After years in your home, you’ve probably accumulated a lot – consider hiring removal help. Costs vary based on the distance between your current home and the next, as well as the number of items being transported.

You’re also going to need to prepare your home for the big day. Here’s a checklist that you should consider preparing for:

• Packing up non-essentials early to stay organised.
• Thoroughly cleaning everything, from top to bottom. Scrub floors, walls, appliances, windows etc.
• You could also hire a professional cleaner just before you leave to do a deep clean.
• Review the contract to make sure you have fulfilled all terms you agreed to.
• Take plenty of photos and videos showing the empty, clean state in case of any claims against you.
• Do a final walk-through on move out day, checking every nook and cranny.

It’s important to leave your property clean, empty and in the condition agreed upon in the sales contract. Being organised in the lead up to and on move out day reduces stress.