The Secret to a Smoother Sale

The longer a property sale drags on, the greater the chance something will go wrong. It's just one of those universal truths, like rainy bank holidays or running out of milk when you really need it..

In the UK today, the average residential transaction can take up to 5 months to complete. Yes, you read that right - five! Now, when I first started in estate agency back in the late 1980s (and yes, that was a while ago) a sale would typically go from "offer accepted" to "here are your keys" in about 8 to 12 weeks. Those were the days!

So, what's changed? Despite the rise of email, online portals, and more tech than you can shake a smartphone at, it still boils down to this: it takes people and damn good ones to keep a sale on track. A proactive estate agent working hand-in-hand with a dedicated conveyancer can make all the difference, especially when the usual suspects show up: survey surprises, mortgage delays, legal back and forth and the occasional life curveball.

And if your sale is part of a chain? Well, every link adds more moving parts and more chance for things to wobble.

One of the biggest frustrations for buyers and sellers alike is the feeling that the whole process is out of your hands. But here's the good news - it doesn't have to be. A bit of upfront preparation and partnering with the right people can help steer things in the right direction from day one.

Here's how to get ahead:

• Instruct your conveyancer early. Don't wait until the sale is agreed. Get them on board when your home hits the market.
• Prepare a time saving information pack to hand over.

What should go in your pack?

• Land Registry title documents if you hold them.
• Any guarantees or warranties for works or appliances.
• If leasehold - lease copy, service charge and ground rent info, plus planned maintenance details.
• A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
• Planning permissions and building regulations certificates for any alterations.
• Local area info (schools, transport, energy suppliers, healthcare, etc.)

It might take a few hours to pull together, but trust us it's worth every minute. You'll be giving your solicitor a head start, keeping your buyer confident, and potentially shaving 3 to 4 weeks off your sale timeline.

We're lucky to work with a brilliant group of solicitors who go above and beyond for our clients. They'll tell you the same thing in that it's better to be prepared and waiting, than unprepared and scrambling when opportunity knocks.

We care about getting you moved, not just getting your home "on the market." So if you're thinking of selling, let's get you ready from the very start.

Lynne Lancaster, Head of Estate Agency