Solicitors for Selling a House
When it comes to selling your property, the legal aspect can often seem daunting and complex. The experience should be exciting and liberating, but instead, many find it stressful.
At Switalskis, we aim to simplify this process for you. Our dedicated property sale solicitors are experts in the field, trained to handle every detail so you don't have to.
We are independent experts, led by experienced solicitors, and have an entire department dedicated to helping you sell your property. We understand that selling your house is a big life event for you, not just a bit of paperwork. We work hard to make all the legal stuff easy to handle. We'll explain any difficult legal terms, keep you updated, and do our best to make sure everything goes smoothly.
To learn more about how we can help, simply call us today on 0800 138 0458, or reach out through our website.
When you first get in touch with us, we'll have a chat to find out what you want and need for selling your house. We'll walk you through the steps involved, so you know what to expect and what you need to do.
We're here to help you at every stage, explaining any legal jargon and taking care of the paperwork. We handle most of the legal work so you can focus on your plans for after the sale. We know every house sale is different, so our advice is tailored to your specific situation.
With Switalskis, you're not just getting a solicitor; you're getting a team that genuinely cares about what happens to you after the sale. We'll keep you updated every step of the way, so you always know what's going on and feel confident in your decisions.
We make selling your house straightforward with our easy-to-use online service. Here's what it offers:
Most of the legal work for selling your house happens before the contracts are exchanged. This can take between two to five weeks. Here's how it goes:
Once your house is on the market or you have a buyer, you'll give us the details. We'll then send you some paperwork to sign and send back, just to say you're happy for us to handle things for you.
The forms we send you will include what we charge, and some details about the house that you'll need to fill in. We'll also ask you for some documents to prove who you are and that you own the house.
If your house is already listed with the Land Registry, we'll get the title deeds from there. If not, you might have these deeds yourself or with a bank or another solicitor. These deeds show who owns the property and if there's a mortgage on it.
We'll prepare a first version of the contract to send to the buyer's legal team. This will include any other documents, like building permissions, that you have.
If you have a mortgage, we'll write to the lender to find out how much you still owe.
The buyer's solicitors might have some questions about the property. These are called 'pre-contract enquiries'. We'll send you these questions for you to answer.
Once the buyer is happy with their searches and mortgage offer, they might have some more questions for you. You'll also need to sign the final contract and property transfer form.
Some people like to leave a gap between exchanging contracts and completing the sale, but it can also be done on the same day. Usually, this exchange happens about four to six weeks into the process. At this point, we'll agree on a completion date. If you owe more on your mortgage than the house is worth, you'll need to cover this gap.
On the day the sale is finalised, you'll need to move out and hand over the keys. The buyer's solicitors will send us the money. Once we've got it, we'll let you know it's okay to release the keys.
We'll use the money from the sale to pay off any remaining mortgage and pay the estate agent. We'll also take our legal fees and then transfer what's left to you. Finally, we'll send all the signed paperwork to the buyer's solicitors.
Fees can vary depending on your specific situation, but generally speaking, you'll encounter the following charges when selling your house:
Most of these fees are paid at the end, usually out of the proceeds of the sale, on the day of completion. We'll provide you with a full breakdown, so you know exactly where your money is going.
You need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you can market your property for sale in the UK. An EPC gives potential buyers an idea of how energy efficient your home is. It's valid for 10 years, so if you already have one from a previous sale or letting, you might not need a new one.
The certificate rates your home's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and includes tips on how to improve this. It's not just a formality; it's useful information that can make your property more appealing to buyers.
If the buyer pulls out of the sale before contracts are exchanged, it's definitely disappointing, but it's also part of the process that can happen. Up until the point where contracts are exchanged, neither party is legally obligated to go through with the sale or purchase. That means you'll have to put your property back on the market, and you might experience additional marketing costs. Any fees you've paid for surveys, legal work or other preparations will generally be lost.
After the exchange of contracts, however, it's a different story. If the buyer pulls out after this point, they're likely to lose their deposit and could face legal action from you for any losses you suffer as a result. This doesn't happen often, because the contract aims to commit both parties to the sale.
If you find yourself in this situation, we'll be right there to guide you through your options and next steps. You're not alone, and we'll do our best to make a stressful situation as straightforward as possible for you.
Start your conveyancing journey with Switalskis. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.
If you're planning to sell your house and want straightforward and expert legal guidance, look no further than Switalskis.
Selling your house involves a lot of moving parts, and it can get overwhelming quickly. We're here to simplify things for you. We'll tackle any questions you have, decode any legal jargon, and keep you fully informed at every step, so you can make decisions with confidence.
We understand that selling your home is a significant life event, full of mixed emotions. We're here to listen to your concerns, figure out your specific needs, and offer customised advice. You're not just another client to us; you're someone going through a big change, and we're committed to making sure it's as smooth as possible.
When it comes to the legal aspects of selling a house, you want a team that knows what they're doing. With Switalskis, you're in trusted hands. We have a wealth of experience and a track record that speaks volumes, helping people like you transition smoothly.
We're all about making sure you get the best deal and that your rights as a homeowner are safeguarded. From the first consultation to the final handover, we'll keep you in the loop, making sure you're always aware of what's happening.
For more information about how to sell your house, call us today on 0800 1380 458 , or contact us through our website.
