Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Estate Agent to sell my Property?
No, it is a popular misconception that you need an Estate Agent to sell your property, but you do not. We advertise in many of the same places your Estate Agent would and in most cases more.
What does an Estate Agent really do that you cannot do for yourself? Yes they may book the viewings but most of the time you will do them, not the agent.
You instruct your solicitors / conveyancers and we can help you to sortout your HIPs pack and Mortgage arrangements.
What if my house/ property is already up for sale with an Estate Agent, do I need to tell them?
Most properties are for sale on a Sole Agency agreement; this basically states that if "they" introduce a buyer to you then they are due their fee. This agreement does not stop you from finding your own buyer and negotiating a sale price with them.
Do buyers have the same legal protection if buying from a private seller?
The legal protection many Estate Agents refer to is actually in place to protect the customer's legal rights in their dealings with an Estate Agent. These protections are not required nor relevant to private sales.
How do I value my property?
Visit the valuing your property section of our How To Guides.
What about HIPs?
A HIP (Home Information Pack) is a set of documents that provides the buyer with key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller's agent. It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you can't market your property without one.
The HIP lets buyers see important information about the property at the start of the process, free of charge. This means there is less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process. The HIP can help reduce delays and extra expense to both the buyer and seller.
For more information on HIPs pack click here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/Homeinformationpacks/DG_171807
Do I really need a For Sale board?
Quite simply yes you do. Your For Sale board is still one of the best ways to make it known that your house is for sale, it is like having someone standing outside your house shouting "For Sale". Potential purchasers will often drive around the streets and estates on which they want to live looking for property, so if you have a board up they know your house is up for sale. Also your friends and neighbours will notice your property is up for sale and tell their friends and family who may just be looking for a house closer to their family.
Please note we supply our own For Sale Boards with the telephone number section blank and send you a pack of high quality weather-proof vinyl stickers so that you may add your telephone number. This helps to avoid any errors and is particularly useful if you set up the "keep my number private" option, details below.
How should I prepare my home for viewings?
Please see our "How To Guide"
Why should I use your Website/ Company?
We will take the headache out of advertising for you by giving your property a window to the world. Your advertisement will be listed on websites visited by over 3 million people each month, such as Fish4Homes, Google Base, Nestoria, Yahoo, MSN, SmartPropertySales.com and many more. All you will be left to do is exactly what you would have done anyway - arranging the viewing, instructing your Solicitor / Conveyancer, sorting your HIPs pack and arranging a mortgage if necessary. Remember we can help with the last three of those.
Call us now on 0845 056 9403 or e-mail sales@smartpropertysales.com for more information.
When will my property be listed?
Within 24 hrs of uploading your property details on our Website.
Are there any further or recurring charges for your advertising services?
None, zero, nada, zip, nothing ever, not a penny.
How long will my property be listed for?
For as long as it takes to sell or whenever you choose to stop the advert.
If I don't have a Digital Camera, how will I get my pictures on to your Website?
That's fine, you can send us copies of any photographs you want to use and we will scan and upload them for you - we will return them too.
Where do you advertise?
On over 220 websites including www.smartpropertysales.com, Nestoria, Google Base, and www.Fish4homes.co.uk
How many people will see my advert?
It will be advertised on Websites regularly attractinging over 3 million visitors per month, in addition to those who see your For Sale board if you choose to use one.
Can I keep my telephone number and e-mail address private?
Yes, keeping your e-mail address private will be automatic. When a prospective buyer wishes to contact you they will complete a small form, which will keep your details hidden. When they click 'send' an e-mail will be sent directly to the e-mail address you have registered on our system.
There is a facility to keep your telephone number private by setting up a "fronting" number which will automatically forward all calls to that number onto whichever landline or mobile number you wish.
We can refer you to a service provider by clicking here The provider charges a small setup fee for this service but there are no ongoing call related fees of any sort. The great thing about this is when your property has been sold you can discard this number ensuring that your own personal telephone numbers have remained private.
Will you share my details with any other companies?
Only by pre-agreement with you. For example if you ask us to arrange your HIPs pack, Mortgage, Insurance or Conveyancing. Other than that, no.
Can I edit or amend my advert once it is live on your system?
Yes, just log in and make any changes you choose to. Your changes should then be updated immediately on www.smartpropertysales.com and within 24 hours on our partner sites.
What information do I need to put in my property advert?
A brief description of your property and location, including photographs, room sizes and the size of your garden.
Please leave the telephone number field blank initially if you are planning to take advantage of the telephone number privacy option. Once you have set this up you can go in and add this detail to your advert.
Are my personal details secure
Our system employs the latest technologies to ensure that your personal data is as secure as possible. We recommend that you choose a difficult password consisting of numbers and figures and remember to Log Out after each session, especially when using a shared computer.
Any further questions please
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