How to Sell a House

There are secrets and tricks that make life easier in just about every trade and profession known to the modern world, and estate agency is no different. It is said that there is a salesman in all of us - we are after all a nation of shopkeepers - yet we hand over the sale of what is financially our greatest asset in life to a person for whom we have only contempt and we then pay them for the privilege!

Selling property is not rocket science - though some agents would have you believe otherwise. It is rather more like an involved game of chess . . . you know the end is coming but you can never be quite certain of when until the last few moves are played. The game involves suspense, competition and communication. There can be a frenzy of activity one minute, followed by a steady and slightly unnerving tranquility the next. First one side seems to have all the pieces stacked in its favour then the other side gains a little ground and takes control. During this game I intend you to finish as the winner, having had a thoroughly enjoyable time in the process.

Some people may be daunted by the legalities of selling a property and, given the complexity of the law, this is quite understandable. Bear in mind that you will be leaving much of the legal aspects of the sale to your appointed solicitor or conveyancing agent. You will not - and frankly should not - attempt to deal with matters of contract law. This is one area best left to the professionals. There are however some parts of the legal arena you can enter, if you so wish, and this book will guide you safely through those areas. This will result in reduced legal fees and, more importantly, a considerable saving of time. Acting for yourself rather than entirely depending on your solicitor can subtract up to four weeks from the normal period it takes to reach exchange of contracts.

You will need to be highly motivated to find your buyer. You will quickly discover that there are numerous advantages to learning your new skills. Not only will you save thousands of pounds but you will also:

• Gain a unique hands-on insight into how the property market operates from an estate-agent's perspective.
• Understand how to deal with solicitors and their enquiries.
• Learn how to sell effectively and attract the highest offers.
• Discover how to improve the appearance of a property cheaply and easily.
• Master the art of communicating constructively with a wide variety of people.

These skills can then be applied and utilised repeatedly throughout your life when buying or selling any other property. Even if in the future you decide to employ the services of an estate agent rather than going it alone, the levels of competence you will achieve will provide you with the wisdom and experience needed to understand what the agent should be undertaking on your behalf.

So, step on board . . . and let's get moving!