When selling a property in Belfast, you might wonder if there are any additional steps that you need to take. As you are selling in Northern Ireland, there are some differences to the sales process compared to the rest of the UK. It is important that you know how to sell your property in this city to ensure that everything is done correctly.
Choose An Estate Agent
When selling a property in Belfast, you will need to hire an estate agent. These agents will provide information to potential buyers and represent your interests. There are also certain legalities that are unique to Northern Ireland that they will be able to handle.
It is important to note that property sold in Northern Ireland is done on the sole agency basis. This means that the agent will get a commission when the property sells regardless of whether they were involved or not. If you sell the property privately, but the property is listed with an agent, the agent will get a commission.
Have An Energy Performance Certificate
In Northern Ireland, you need to have an energy performance certificate on hand for potential buyers. This certificate will need to be done as soon as you place the property on the market. It is your responsibility as the owner of the property to get an EPC and if you do not, you could face a fine of £200.
When you get an EPC, you will also get a report that offers suggestions on how to make your home more energy-efficient. While there are no legal requirements stating you must make these improvements you might want to consider it. Small adjustments can affect the rating and improve the value of your home.
Value Your Property Correctly
The estate agent you work with will generally handle the valuation of your property for you. However, you do not have to stay with their valuation and it is recommended that you have a few agents value your home. Each agent will use a slightly different calculation to determine the value.
While the calculation varies slightly, there are certain factors that all agents will take into account. This includes the location of the property, the selling price of other properties in the area which have recently sold and the condition of the property. The overall housing market will also be taken into account alongside the urgency of your sale.
Showcase Your Home
When you sell your property, you need to allow potential buyers to view it. When you have these viewings, you need to ensure your property is clean and your furniture has been properly arranged. This will make your home appear larger and you need to turn on the lights even in the day to brighten the rooms.
In most cases, your agent will show the property. However, if you are doing this, you should not crowd the viewer and do not follow them into smaller rooms. This will make the room seem even smaller.
When selling a property in Belfast, there are some differences compared to the rest of the UK that you need to know about. If you hire an agent, they will get a commission even if they did not sell the property. You also need to have an EPC that potential buyers can view.