How to speed up your property sale…
Here at Leapfrog, we always strive to provide the very best service and information for all our clients, whether selling, renting or buying.
We work hard to keep one step ahead of the competition and our goal for home sellers and buyers alike, is to reduce the time it takes for a sale to proceed to a speedy completion. We provide our sellers and potential buyers with important property information from the onset, resulting in fewer sales falling through.
We are delighted to announce that we are currently one of a handful of agents in our area, now providing our clients with a ‘Buyers Information Pack’ containing Material Information about a property and all agents have a legal duty to provide this information from the onset.
What is a ‘Buyer Information Pack’
The Government and National Trading Standards require that more material information needs to be provided to potential buyers upfront.
Getting our ‘Buyer Information Pack’ ready right at the start of marketing, means we have the ability to share this with any potential purchasers as early as at the initial viewing stage. We can then provide this to a surveyor, respective solicitors involved in the sale and potentially reduce any delays with a sale.
What does a ‘Buyer Information Pack’ contain?
Our Buyer Information Pack is packed with information on the property that will help secure a serious and committed buyer. Here’s what it contains:
Marketing Information
- Property Brochure (including photos, property description, square footage, £ per sq foot, whole plot size, local authority, council tax band and cost, tenure, estate fees, if lease the length, ground rent, maintenance fees and what’s included) – supplied by Leapfrog
- Floor plan – supplied by Leapfrog
Location map – supplied by Leapfrog - Material Information Sheet (all estate agents have a legal duty to have this available before a viewing is booked) – Council Tax, Tenure, Physical characteristics of the property, Property type, Material type/materials used in construction, Number and types of rooms, Utilities, Electricity supply, Water supply, Sewerage, Heating, Broadband, Mobile signal/coverage, Parking, Building safety, Restrictions, Rights and easements, Flood risk, Coastal erosion risk, Planning Permission or proposal for development, Property accessibility/adaptations, Coalfield or mining.
- EPC – Energy Performance Information
- Our general PIQ (Property Information Questionnaire) FAQ sheet about the property including things like rental value, rental yield, year built, distance to shops and park, meters, services, boiler, loft etc –
- A report on local sold prices, Title plan, Local mobile & broadband speeds, Planning history, Plot size & floor area, Pounds per square foot, Flood risk, Conservation areas, Local school reports, Leasehold info, Council tax, Energy Performance Certificate, Transport links and Transaction history – supplied by Leapfrog and their partners ‘Sprift’.
Additional information
Traditionally, solicitors ‘raise enquiries’ when they receive a normal draft contract pack. We’ve looked at the majority of enquiries raised and added them to our marketing pack, in the hope of again, speeding up the process. Of course, if there are ambiguities, there will need to be some enquiries raised by solicitors. We also suggest the seller’s get their solicitors to check the pack for any gaps or enquiries that would need answering.
The extra information we recommend including in the pack (if relevant) is:
- FENSA window certificates for windows installed after 1 April 2002;
- Wall or loft Insulation paperwork;
- Gas safe certificates;
- Electrical work certificates;
- Any building insurance claims and information;
- Shared driveway, rights of ways or private road contributions;
- Warranties, guarantees or receipts for any fixtures fittings or works done on the property, including kitchens and bathrooms;
- Details on any extra land included;
- Details on works completed if a Listed building;
- Boiler or heating documents or servicing records;
- Solar panel / battery documents with proof of ownership and feed-in tariffs;
- Info on extensions and conservatories with planning and building regulation info or council documents to say not needed, and as much info as possible;
- Conservatory information
Non-mains drainage and Septic tank documents, including servicing;
NHBC or new build paperwork if under 10 years old; - Burglar alarm documents and service history
- If Leasehold: (a) Any recent correspondence and invoices from the managing agents. (b) Share certificate in the management company. (c) Any consents from the Freeholder to matters such as the installation of double glazing which may well be required under the terms of the Lease.
Who can see the Buyer Information Pack?
Some of this information is publicly available on our website on each property, some of it we can email a potential buyer as it could be more private information. Security is paramount for us.
The pack is also available by invitation to potential buyers upon viewing and their respective solicitors once they offer. We believe an educated buyer is more secure in knowing as much material information on a property before any offer is accepted as transparency is key.
How much does a Buyer Information Pack cost?
There is no charge for Leapfrog to organise this pack and securely store it electronically.
If you have any questions about our Buyer Information Packs, please contact the team or phone 01287 653333.