If you haven’t used an Estate Agent before, or just need to refresh your memory on what happens next, this is where we provide a brief guide to each process. Whether you plan to sell, buy, let or rent, these guides should make the task a little easier. Print out and tick off the stages as you go.

  1. Mortgaged property

    Before you do anything else, check your mortgage paperwork to see whether you will owe your lender an early redemption charge if you pay off your mortgage in the next few months. If you are buying elsewhere you may be able to transfer your existing mortgage and avoid this penalty, or you may have no penalty, in which case Franklyn James can provide details of a mortgage broker who may be able to assist you with switching to a more attractive mortgage product — for further information, please see our Mortgages section.

  2. Valuations

    Contact Franklyn James and arrange an appointment for a free and frank valuation. We won’t inflate our valuations to ensure an instruction, because we know that a property has to be priced correctly in order to sell. Be aware that in a rising market your property will probably sell for a bit more than the last similar property and in a falling market you will probably achieve a bit less.

    If your eventual buyer needs a mortgage, an independent valuation will have to be carried out by a surveyor on behalf of the new lender, so the selling price needs to be appropriate to the property, although an asking price is normally pitched a bit higher than the expected sale price to allow room for negotiation. Sign the agency terms and conditions and provide ID to comply with money laundering regulations. For further information on valuations provided by Franklyn James, please see our Valuations section.

  3. Viewings

    Have a bit of a clean and tidy up in preparation for photos and viewings. On instruction, Franklyn James arrange free professional photography, a detailed floor plan and an Energy Performance Certificate where required. If the property is tenanted, ensure that your tenants know that the property is being marketed for sale. Provide the agent with a set of keys if you can. Try to make it as easy as possible for viewings to be carried out. Often the best price is achieved while a property is still new to the market and viewers are worried they might lose out to someone else.

  4. Offer

    Accept an offer which is realistic and which is in the region of what was discussed at the initial valuation. Get confirmation in writing of the position of the proposed buyer. Are they a cash buyer or do they need a mortgage? Are they currently living with family, renting or selling their home? What are their expectations regarding a completion date? Once you have accepted an offer and the buyer has instructed a solicitor, take the property off the market.

  5. Conveyancing

    Select a local, reliable solicitor. Franklyn James can provide you with a list of experienced conveyancing solicitors — for further information, please see our Solicitors section. Complete the property forms as quickly and fully as possible. This may take some time, but it is one of the most important stages in the selling process. Reply promptly and as fully as possible to all additional queries raised. Come to an agreement via the agent on a completion date which is acceptable to both you and the buyer.

  6. Contract

    Read the contract, sign and return it promptly to your solicitor. Once the deposit has been received from the buyer, your solicitor will ask you to confirm the completion date and will request your permission to exchange contracts.

  7. Congratulations, you have exchanged!

    Celebrate, book a removals van and if parking can be tricky, contact the council to get a parking bay suspended for completion day. Contact all relevant utility providers and let them know when you will be leaving the property.

  8. Completion day

    Completion of a sale often takes place in the early afternoon, so as soon as you hear from your solicitor that the sale has completed, drop a full set of keys round to the Estate Agency for the new owner to collect. Take meter readings before you leave the property and off you go!

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What our clients say

“The flat that I just rented was manage by Mark K. Since the beginning Mark has been very friendly, professional and helpful. I am a nurse and I re scheduled the viewing a couple of times and Mark was amazing and very comprehensive. He has been available whenever I had any questions and very responsive. He managed to get me the deal that I was looking for. I would highly recommend Franklyn James and Mark K. Thank you very much Mark!”

Liliana Afonsol

“Gary is an excellent manager, who always helped with various issues that arise during the time we were renting through Franklyn James. We had several things that we wanted to change in the flat and Gary helped to communicate those to landlord and achieve the outcome that was satisfactory for both parties. During the final checkout and deposit return, Gary has quickly settled any remaining questions with the landlord and deposit monies were returned promptly. Thank you very much for all your help!”

Islam Utyagulov

“I had a nice experience renting a house with George. Since the first moment of viewing to signing the contract, he made it so easy. I can truly recommend him as an estate agent if you want to rent the property quickly.”

Adam Demkow

All properties for sale

Useful guides

If you haven’t used an Estate Agent before, or just need to refresh your memory on what happens next, this is where we provide a brief guide to each process. Whether you plan to sell, buy, let or rent, these guides should make the task a little easier.

The Frank Buyers' Guide

Buying a property

Read the guide

The Frank Landlords' Guide

Letting your property

Read the guide

Get a free & frank valuation

Get an instant online valuation or book an appointment with one of our team

Get a valuation