5 steps to ensure you have a smooth property transaction

Ok, so the purchaser has secured a mortgage or better yet, they are cash buyers... (sigh in relief) so everything should run smoothly shouldn't it? Even when it looks like the odds are in your favour the transaction is still not without it's obstacles! But don't worry! Below are 5 great tips to ensure you have a smooth property transaction.

Three is crowd The age old saying that three is a crowd is quite true so imagine what it's like when you add more to the party - quite frankly it's a disaster. Your solicitor / conveyancer is the most important part of the transaction and they will liaise with the mortgage broker, as well as the agent on most things. We would therefore recommend saying early on to your solicitor that ALL dealings with the other party need to come through the solicitors rather than the agent. The type of things that need to be organised via the agent (once the sale admin pack has been completed) is dates i.e for a surveyor to attend the property, other than that, everything should go through your solicitor and be firm on this. This stops the agent from muddying the waters, keep the party to a minimum!
Communication is king If you want the transaction to move along quickly, you need to make sure that you're being responsive. Make sure that you have email notifications switched on and that you're able to make calls when needed. Reverting with documents as soon as possible means that no one is then waiting and chasing you for anything - it's a laborious process BUT it's one step closer to purchasing your dream property!
Be Firm Oh yes, be firm with want your expectations are. Time and time again, transactions drag on due to a lack of an exchange date. Make sure to advise your solicitor that you suggest the exchange date to be XXXX and if there are works to be carried out that these works will only be done on exchange of the property. It's a good way of testing to see whether the buyer is serious about the property or whether they are just dragging their feet until they find another property more suited to them! It does happen!
Don't take the property off the market! So many people do this once they have accepted an offer and it's one of the worst things you can do! Remember, it's not happy days until you've exchanged! Ensure that your estate agents knows (preferably in writing) that you would like to keep the property on the market until exchange. Doing this, sends a worry signal to the purchaser that until they exchange, it's not a secure agreement, it's a fine-tuned way of getting the purchaser to hurry up with an exchange date. It creates a false sense of security. Property can be a dirty game!
Your word against theirs
Put EVERYTHING in writing! You know those casual chats you have with your agent about the transaction? Put it in writing. They may sound like your friend on the phone, but when disaster strikes, it's your word against theirs! So make sure to follow up each conversation by email and that goes for when you talk to your solicitor, mortgage broker, ect... put it in writing!