Moving home is an exciting time, particularly when you’re ready to take your next step on the housing ladder. Although it is natural to sometimes feel overwhelmed at points during the process, with the right help and support it can and should be simple and easy.
There is no escaping the fact that there are many associated costs that come with selling a property, including:
– Estate agency fees
– Obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate
– Removal fees
Let’s break down some of these costs in a little more detail to ensure you have all the information you need to approach the selling process with confidence.
Estate agency fees
Estate agency fees will vary between individual agents and agencies and the rate you are charged will also be influenced by the price your home goes on to sell for. In general, you can expect these fees to cost you between 0.75% and 3% of the sale price of your home. In some cases, your estate agent may charge a fixed fee for access to their services, however, this is much less common. Estate agency fees are quite often the biggest expense when selling a home.
Energy Performance Certificate
You will need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you can sell your property. An EPC contains vital information regarding the energy efficiency of your home and gives potential buyers an idea as to the energy costs they could expect to pay. Your estate agent should be in a position to arrange for an accredited energy performance assessor to visit your home, however, you can also choose to select your own provider.
The cost of an EPC is influenced by a variety of factors and, as such, there is no fixed fee. Everything from the number of bedrooms your home has to the type of property you own will impact the cost of an EPC, and it can be beneficial to shop around for the best deal.
In general, you should expect to be charged somewhere in the region of £35 to £150 for an EPC and it will remain valid for 10 years. Your property might already have a valid EPC and you can check if this is the case by visiting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government website.
Conveyancing fees
Conveyancing is a term that covers all the legal services that facilitate the smooth transfer of property and land between two parties. A licensed conveyancer will handle a variety of tasks, including the exchange of contracts after you have accepted an offer on your property and your sale has been agreed.
As when selecting your estate agent, you should take great care when choosing your conveyancer. In addition to looking for reviews online, you should endeavour to determine the credibility of your chosen conveyancing service and understand how long they have successfully been operating within the industry. Your estate agent may be able to recommend a conveyancing service to you, however, you are not obligated to proceed with their suggestion. Read more about conveyancing fees here.
How can OneDome help?
OneDome’s innovative conveyancing service simplifies the conveyancing process for sellers by ensuring that everything is easily accessible within a single online platform. Estate agents, sellers, and all relevant parties can track the conveyancing process in real-time, making sure that every aspect remains fully visible and accessible at every stage.
This visibility also ensures that the process proceeds as efficiently and smoothly as possible, which means that estate agents find it simpler to complete sales faster and sellers can progress through the rest of their house moving journey with ease.