A Home Information Packs (or HIP) is a set of documents provided by the seller to the buyer that provides important compulsory and optional information about the property such as: HIP index, new property information questionnaire, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), sale statement, evidence of title, standard searches and copy of lease (if leasehold). It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and a property cannot be sold without one -from 6 April 2009 must be available from the first day your property is marketed. The seller is responsible for the cost which can vary so shop around.

First you need to find out what you property is worth so you need to get an accurate valuation and instruct a good agent to list your property for sale. After tidying and sprucing up your property, it’s ready for viewing and once you’ve found a buyer, you should have a written confirmation of the offer being made from your agent. Serious buyers are those who have a clear idea of what they want, have a mortgage offer in principal and deposit and are ready to get the ball rolling. You then need to agree what’s included in the sale (any extras, furniture, curtains etc) and what’s not, agree dates for the buyers survey to take place and agree potential dates for exchange and completion. You should have a solicitor instructed by now who will deal with all the legal aspects of the sale - dealing with preliminary enquiries, drafting the contract, dealing with the HIP, and collating all the legal documents like title deeds, copy lease, planning consents, building regulations and if leasehold, any service charge accounts etc. Once all the legal documentation is in order, you will be ready to exchange contracts and the deposit usually 10% will be paid to your solicitor. A date will be set for completion, usually within 2 to 4 weeks of exchange although this can be simultaneous with exchange and completion on the same day. Completion is when all money transactions are completed with the balance of the purchase monies being transferred over to your solicitor when officially your property is now sold.

It’s hard to see the space we live in objectively when it comes to selling so it’s really important to remember that first impressions count. Look at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer and make a list of what needs doing in each room. Also:
- Clear out any unwanted rubbish or clutter and put any excess furniture or belongings it into storage if necessary. The more space you create through de-cluttering and clearing out, the better impression a buyer will get. Remember buyers want to imagine themselves living there with their furniture in place so make space.
- Clear up any outside space and tidy the garden – mow the lawn, trim any bushes or shrubs and pull up the weeds. Buyers will be put off by a messy garden or dirty path.
- Now’s the time to do a few runs to the recycling centre to get rid of stuff you’ve been meaning to throw out for ages.
- Redecorate or renew where necessary and don’t think buyers won’t notice marks on walls here and there because they will. A bright colour scheme may have been perfect for you but it might not suit everyone so keep things as neutral as possible. A quick coat of paint can work wonders.
- Keep your house as clean and bright as possible - open curtains or blinds and air rooms out.
- Remember, buyers make their minds up about a property in the first 60 seconds of walking in the front door so spending a little time and money upfront on making it saleable will get you a better price and help you sell more quickly.

When you list with just one agent (sole agent) you will pay a lower commission fee when you sell than if you list with several (multiple agents). A good agent who markets your property effectively and proactively should be able to get the sale you’re looking for thus saving you money.

No, you don’t have to, but a surprising number of enquiries come from buyers who have seen a 'for sale' sign while looking around an area they like so they work in your favour.