Selling Guide
Why Sell Through April?
At April our aim is to be transparent and ethical in everything we do. Therefore, we will not charge you a penny until we successfully sell your property. We will market and advertise your property for free, which includes all photography and floor plans. If you are planning to sell your property, contact us today on 020 8257 2100 to benefit from our no obligation, free valuation service. Our dedicated sales team will visit you at a time suitable for you to meet you and speak to you about any preferences or needs you may have. You can be sure that we will be there for you to support and guide you throughout the process.
We conduct our valuations from Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 8:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. With viewings conducted until 8pm on weekdays.
Our outreach is huge and your property will be seen by thousands of potential buyers, therefore, once you are happy with our valuation and decide to instruct us, we will market your property on all major sales portals, including Zoopla, Rightmove and PrimeLocation.
In order to sell your property as swiftly as possible for the best possible prices, we will inform all the potential buyers on our own database of your intention to sell you property, by providing them with full details of the property and inviting any interested parties to view it.
Our experience and thorough knowledge in the property market will guide you smoothly through what can often be a long, complicated process and our dedication will guarantee you the best service.
Step 1: Valuation
How much is my property worth? This is usually the first question, which comes to mind when thinking of selling. With our experienced and knowledgeable local valuers, we aim to get your price right the first time round in order to avoid delays.
At April, we aim to sell your property at the best price within a time frame that suits you best. Our free no obligation valuations are carried out six days a week including weekends and evenings.
Step 2: Choosing an Estate Agent
How do you choose the right Estate Agent for you? Some questions you may want to ask.
- Their work ethic?
- Their marketing of your property?
- Their opening hours?
- Their fees?
At April, our main objectives as Estate Agents are to guide you throughout the process, by providing information you can trust, and making sure you get the best possible price for your property. You are important to us and we strive to give you an unmatched experience in service.
We know from our own experience that the most challenging aspects of dealing with Estate Agents is the lack of feedback and communication. Therefore, at April you will be given weekly updates via telephone and email as to the progress of your sale from the moment you instruct us and until completion.
Step 3: Appointing a Solicitor
The successful sale of your property can be dependent on the instruction of a competent and knowledgeable Solicitor. It is always a good idea to do some research and make a decision before you put your property on the market, as this will help avoid delays.
You can choose your own Solicitor to represent you in your sale or we can recommend a Solicitor from our panel of trusted and experienced Solicitors.
Step 4: Preparing your property for viewings
It takes seven seconds to make the first impression and when marketing your property you want to make the best first impression possible. It is a great idea to give your property a fresh lick of paint and to declutter the rooms in your property to make them look larger.
Our professional photographers will be able to take photos, measurements for the floorplans and prepare online description with just one visit.
By law an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is required prior to the marketing of your property for sales as well as lettings. An EPC is valid for a period of ten years.
Step 5: Marketing
With the ever increasing importance of social media, April has a dedicated communications team which deals with all aspects of our social media platforms to ensure our agency has the most exposure and high street presence for our clients benefit in order to attract the right buyers for your property. We also benefit from being members of Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime location which are the UKs leading online property search engines.
At April we have come up with an innovative idea called the April Box, which is a neat recycled box containing our April information booklet, an April notepad and an April pencil. The April Box will provide you with all the information you require and help you keep your important notes and plans safe.
Step 6: Viewings
At April we understand that most people work full- time, that is why we conduct viewings up until 8pm in the evenings to ensure that your needs are met.
Our Office is open Monday- Friday between 8am-8pm, and Saturdays between 9-5pm. With viewings conducted until 8pm on weekdays.
All the viewings will be conducted by a member of the April team and we will provide you with valuable feedback on a weekly basis.
Step 7: Offers
As soon as we receive an offer on your property, you will immediately be notified verbally and in writing. We will keep you updated with any negotiation process that follows.
Step 8: Offer agreed
Once you accept an offer, April will do the following:
- Prepare a memorandum of sale
- Ask you to confirm your Solicitor's details, if you haven’t already done so.
- Write to all parties involved to confirm the agreed term of the sale, property details and any deadlines that you may wish to set.
Your appointed Solicitor will then send the draft contract pack to your buyer’s Solicitor, which will include a draft Contract, the Official Copy of the Register of Title, the Title plan, a Property Information Form as well as any additional documentation that may be required.
Once the buyer has reviewed the contract pack, they will apply for searches and/or instruct a Surveyor to prepare a Home-Buyer’s Report. They will then wish to raise their initial enquires and ask your Solicitor to respond to any additional requisitions they may have. During this period your buyer, if they are obtaining a mortgage to purchase your property, will also arrange a mortgage valuation.
We will keep you updated with all the developments and the negotiations. We will also contact the Solicitors on a weekly basis to ensure all parties are updated and the process of sale moves as smoothly and swiftly as possible.
There are no legal responsibilities until contracts are signed.
Step 9: Exchange
Exchange of contracts occurs when contracts are signed by both parties and the deposit, which is usually 10% of the purchase price, is transferred to your Solicitor’s account. On receipt of the funds, the Solicitors date the Contracts and record the time when the exchange has taken place. Now you have officially exchanged and are legally liable to complete; completion date should be agreed mutually by both parties and noted on the Contracts.
Upon exchange of Contracts, it is the buyer’s responsibility to insure the property by putting in place a proper building insurance.
Step 10: Completion
Completion occurs when the remaining 90% of funds are transferred from the buyer's Solicitor to your Solicitor's account.
Once your Solicitor confirms that the funds have cleared in their account, you may then give April permission to release the keys.
You have now completed the sale, congratulations!