Moving house is a really exciting time – who doesn’t love a fresh start and the chance to put a new stamp on your new home? There’s lots to consider, but with the right planning you can make sure you’ve got everything covered and have plenty of budget to spend on those new refurbishments.
Estate agent fees
If you decide to use a high-street shop rather than an online estate agent, be aware that they’ll have to factor in their office costs on top of everything else. Most mainstream estate agents charge between 1% and 3%, plus VAT, of the sale price.
If you’ve got plenty of spare time and like getting creative, you could also take the DIY route and market your home yourself. You’ll need some high-quality photos and plenty of time to take inquiries and host viewings.
Another option you could consider if you’re wondering how to sell your house quickly and still bypass the estate agents is using a cash-buying firm like We Buy Any Home. They will offer you a guaranteed sale price in a timeframe to suit you, with no hidden fees.
Conveyancing fees
While you might feel able to have a go at the marketing yourself, legal support from a qualified professional is an essential part of any house sale. Solicitors will typically charge between £500 and £1,500 for their services, depending on how complicated the sale is.
Shop around and ask friends and family for recommendations. Efficiency and communication are as important to consider here as cost – getting a proactive solicitor can really help the process go quickly and smoothly.
Energy Performance Certificate
Legally required before you can sell, an Energy Performance Certificate – called an EPC – costs about £60 – £120. It’s only a small cost, so an easy one to get ticked off, but don’t assume that you don’t need one just because you’re sure you had one at some point in the past, as they only last for ten years.
Moving costs
Moving costs could be as basic as hiring a van and roping in some friends if you don’t have many possessions, through to hiring a professional removals company.
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If you’re busy working at the same time as trying to move, you might also want to pay them to do your packing, and if you’ve been in your home a long time, don’t forget to factor in your loft and garage space.
Allow up to £2,000 for a comprehensive removal, but much less if you’re doing it yourself – the cost of a van and beer and pizza as a thank you to all your friends should cover it! Don’t forget that if you’re moving for work, you may be entitled to relocation costs towards removals too.
While there are certainly costs involved in buying and selling, it’s all worth it when you finally settle into your new home and can turn it into your dream space. It’s really all about planning, so just make sure you take note of our suggestions and be prepared for the process!
