Selling A House Privately – Do I Need A Lawyer?

Selling a home involves a lot of work and the process involves plenty of legal terminology, processes, and more.

16th June, 2023

Updated 11/10/2023

If you’ve never sold a home before, you may not be familiar with everything that’s involved with the process. But do you need a lawyer or solicitor to sell your home? We’ll answer that question and more in this article.

 

Do You Need a Lawyer or Solicitor to Sell Your Home Privately?

The answer is no; you don’t need a lawyer or solicitor to sell your house privately. There are no legal requirements that say a lawyer or solicitor are required for this kind of transaction. In fact, selling your home is much easier when using an online estate agent compared to an estate agent on the high street. Moreover, they may also be able to do all the legal work, depending on which one you choose.

Selling your home without a solicitor or lawyer can be a good idea. Let’s take a look.

 

What’s Involved with Selling a House?

Selling your house involves many processes, including the exchange of contracts, title deeds, stamp duty, and much more. The process is known as “conveyancing.” Conveyancing can be a pretty long process, depending on whether a solicitor or lawyer is involved. For this reason, many home sellers choose to work with a home cash-buying company.

 

What is a Cash Buyer?

A cash buyer is an individual or business that can finance their home purchase without a mortgage or selling their own home. They must have the cash available to buy the property at the time they make the offer.

Cash buyers, who are genuine, can be a great option if you need to sell your home quickly. They can usually make an offer on your property within 1-2 days (or sooner), buying your home within 2-3 weeks.

 

What are the Benefits of Using a Cash Buyer?

One of the major benefits of using a house cash buyer is you can avoid all of the legal costs that go with selling your home. The cash buyer, usually a company, usually takes care of all costs involved with selling your home. You save money by not having to pay for surveys, a lawyer or solicitor, and more.

Here are some additional benefits that go with using a cash buyer:

 

1. The Sale Won’t Fall Through

When you use the traditional method of selling your home, there’s always the danger that the sale could fall through. That’s a major problem, especially after so much time has elapsed trying to find a buyer, going through all the viewings, and more.

With a home cash buyer, you can rest assured that the sale will go through. They already have the cash on hand, so there’s no need to worry that they won’t be able to get a mortgage. And there’s no danger of finding yourself in a real estate chain. All it takes is for one property deal to fall through and your house is back on the market again.

With a cash sale, you’ll have a sure deal once you agree to their offer on your home.

 

2. Less Stress

Selling you home on the open market means plenty of stress. It’s necessary to get your home in shape, for one thing. That may mean doing necessary repairs and renovations you may not have funds for.

Then there are the viewings to deal with. You never know when the estate agent will call to say they’re on the way over with some potential home buyers. That means you and your family may have to scramble to clean up the house and leave before the agent arrives. That’s a lot of stress for you and your entire family to deal with!

On the other hand, there’s less stress to deal with when working with a home cash buyer. There are no viewings, and the buyer usually offers to buy homes in any condition. You won’t have to worry about repairs, renovations, and more.

 

3. The Sale is Fast & Easy

Within 24 hours of contacting the cash buyer, you can have an offer on your property. And it’s free! What’s more, you’re under no obligation to accept the offer and go forward with the sale. If you’re unhappy with any part of the offer or prospective sale, just say no!

If you are happy with their offer and agree to sell your home, the sale process is pretty fast. The process is much faster than going through the traditional home sales process. Selling on the open market can take months (or longer), depending on the state of the market when you need to sell your home.

Using a cash buyer can mean your sale is fast and easier than ever.

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4. There are Zero Fees

If you choose to sell your home through the traditional home sales process, you’ll need to pay fees for many parts of the process. These can include:

  •     Estate agent fees (can vary between 0.5% to 3% +VAT of the sale price)
  •     Energy Performance Certificate (usually costs between ÂŁ60 to ÂŁ120)
  •     Conveyancing fees (may cost between ÂŁ550 to ÂŁ1,000, inc. VAT)
  •     Removal fees (can vary between ÂŁ250 to ÂŁ4,000+VAT)
  •     Capital Gains Tax
  •     And more

On the other hand, you won’t have to pay any of these or other fees if selling your property to a cash buyer. These companies take care of all the fees, which means it won’t cost you a thing.

That means more money in your pocket for your move or buying/renting another home.

 

5. Hard to Sell Properties Are Not a Problem

If your property could be hard to sell, don’t worry! The cash home buyer company usually offers to buy homes in any condition.

So, if your property has any type of damage, needs repairs/renovations, has a construction or foundation issue, or even if there are currently tenants in the home, none of these are problems for a cash buyer.

There’s no need to put major financing into fixing or repairing your home, dealing with tenants, or other issues. The cash home buyer will buy your home no matter its condition.

 

Summing It Up

As you can see, it’s not necessary to have a lawyer or solicitor when selling your home to a cash buyer. What’s more, the process is almost stress free and you can count on the sale going through.

Working with a cash buyer makes the entire process of selling a home easier and faster than using the traditional open market method!

FAQs

Can I draft my sales contract without a lawyer or solicitor?

Yes, you can draft your sales contract, but it’s advisable to have a legal expert review it to ensure it complies with local laws and regulations.

What are the risks of not involving a lawyer or solicitor in the sale?

The risks include potential legal issues, contract disputes, and financial complications. Legal experts can help mitigate these risks.

Are there any specific laws or regulations I should be aware of when selling privately?

Real estate laws and regulations vary by location. It’s essential to research and understand the specific requirements in your area.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer or solicitor for a private home sale?

Legal fees can vary, but they are a worthwhile investment to ensure a smooth and legally sound transaction.

Do I need a lawyer if the buyer has one?

While it’s not mandatory, having legal representation can protect your interests, especially if the buyer has a lawyer.

What are the advantages of involving a lawyer or solicitor?

Legal experts provide guidance, ensure legal compliance, and offer protection in case of disputes, making the selling process smoother and more secure.

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