FAQs
I understand that selling your home is a life-changing event. It is important to me that I help make that transition as seamless as possible for my vendors.
Below are some typical questions that I frequently get asked:
WHAT CAN I, AS A HOMEOWNER, DO BEFORE PUTTING MY HOUSE ON THE MARKET?
Quite simply, less is more, try and use the opportunity to declutter. We all amass items as we go through life but in my experience having less furniture and clutter in a property works best. Walking through a house with ease pays dividends. It also shows off room sizes better & is, overall, less distracting. I will help you with this. It is something I do a few times a year in my own home.
From a legal point of view, it is always best to have all your 'ducks in a row' before placing it on the market. This way, you will know that you can therefore ensure a quick conveyance once a buyer is secured. For example, where are the deeds to the property? Can your solicitor request them sooner rather than later as this process takes time if they must be released by your bank? Have you extended your property during the time of your ownership? Did you get planning permission for the changes made? Or do you have a certificate of compliance on file? In some instances, this is not necessary of course but it's always good to check this out and get all necessary documentation to your solicitor sooner rather than later. You do not want anything to hold up your sale or put off your buyer.
A Building Energy Rating is also required for any property advertised for sale. It lasts for ten years so perhaps you have one on file if you bought your property in the last decade? If not, it is a relatively quick process to obtain one and consists of a short on-site survey by an assessor with an average 48-hour turnaround result. The assessor will need the MPRN on your electricity bill to register it. This is something I can coordinate for you.
I DON’T HAVE A SOLICITOR YET. DO I NEED TO APPOINT ONE?
Yes, you absolutely do. I recommend shopping around and deciding whom you feel most comfortable with. In my professional experience, and because of how I run my own business, there is so much to be said about choosing a solicitor who will do the work themselves rather than delegating it onwards. I have worked with lots of solicitors all over the country and I am happy to give you a few suggestions. Once a buyer is secured, it is important that your solicitor can issue contracts and all accompanying paperwork in a timely manner to keep the momentum going. Your solicitor will furnish you with a checklist of all items they will need and, instructing a solicitor sooner rather than later, gives you time to compile it for them.
HOW MUCH IS MY PROPERTY WORTH?
I am happy to visit your property and give you a free, no-obligation, valuation and answer any further questions you may have. You can call me anytime on 0862332222.
WHAT PAPERWORK WILL YOU REQUIRE FROM ME WHEN I INSTRUCT YOU TO SELL MY PROPERTY?
Once we agree on terms, we will both sign a Property Services Regulator letter of engagement. To comply with Anti-Money Laundering legislation I will require, for my files only, a copy of an approved ID (drivers’ licence or passport) and a copy of a utility bill in your name showing your home address dated within the last 6 months.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE AUCTIONEERING?
Before I opened my own business in 2006 I worked in Sherry FitzGerald in Dublin for a short time. It began as a temporary job in their Merrion Row office. The job progressed and I ended up working in a few of their branches, most memorably in their Terenure branch. I loved viewing houses and I loved meeting people. It felt like a good fit for me, so I did a one-year course with the IAVI (now SCSI) and from that rewarding experience, I decided to embark on a degree in Property at DIT Bolton Street (Now TUI). It was during this time that I moved to Kilkenny and worked for another auctioneer (who was, and still is, a great mentor) for five years before opening my own business. Since then i have also gained full membership of scsi, rics and ipav.