Looking to sell your home? Excellent! This is a stressful but exciting time in your life. There’s no better feeling than picking up the set of keys to your new home on moving day.

Moving house can be fun, but to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible, you need to know and understand the steps involved. In this article, we’re going to walk you through them in a convenient and easy-to-digest list, so you can be sure you have everything under wraps. Read on to find out more.

Selling Your Home in 7 Simple Steps

1) Get Your Property Appraisal

Before anything else, you need to know how much your home is worth. So, get in touch with a local real estate agent and ask for their help. They’ll use their extensive marketing knowledge and an analysis of similar properties for sale in your area to calculate an accurate asking price.

They’ll also take your property’s condition and competition for similar homes into account, so if you’ve got any renovations planned, now is the time to do them.

2) Set Your Asking Price and MOS (Method of Sale)

Based on your property appraisal, it’s now time to set your asking price. Your agent will help you with this, and they’ll also be able to recommend the best Method of Sale for your particular circumstances. If you want to sell quickly, look into auctions. If you want more control over the offers you accept, private treaty might be more suitable.

3) Arrange Your Agency Agreement

The typical term for an agency agreement is 90 days, and this will get you access to your agent’s full range of services. From the moment you sign, it’s their job to get your property sold at the asking price you’re looking for.

4) Spread the Word about Your Listing!

The next step in the process is to market your property and generate interest in the local market. Your agent will use a couple of key tools to make this happen, including local listing sites and their own database of buyers in your area.

Usually covered in the cost, they’ll also send a professional photographer over to capture images of your home. During this time, floor plans and copywriting for your listing will also be produced.

Finally, they’ll tackle the foot-traffic angle by placing that anticipated “For Sale” board on the roadside outside your home to capture passers-by.

5) Open House

Soon after marketing begins, buyers will start to take notice. From here, they’ll want to come and see the property themselves. When this happens, make sure your home is clean and tidy. Cut down on any clutter, hoover and dust to make sure you give the best first impression possible.

6) Negotiate Offers and Handle Contracts

The most popular Method of Sale is Private Treaty. If you choose to go down this route, all offers on your home will come through your agent. They’ll run these past you and negotiate with the other party to get you the best deal possible.

If you’re choosing auction as your method of sale, your agent will take your property to auction. You’ll be asked to set a reserve which will act as the lowest price you’d be willing to accept. If anyone bids above this, you’re legally bound to accept that offer.

After contracts are signed, the buyer will usually be asked to pay 10% of the sale price as a deposit and statement of interest.

7) Your Settlement Date

After signing the contract, there’ll be a cooling off period of between 30-90 days. The date that this period ends is your settlement date.

As this date approaches, the solicitors of both parties will convene to make sure conditions have been met and to process final payments. Some buyers choose to be present on the settlement date, but it’s not necessary as your solicitors and agents will be able to act on your behalf.

After this is completed, the property title will have been officially handed over to you. Congratulations – you’re now the owner of your new home!