Selling a home is a significant decision and the process can feel complex. This guide sets out what to expect when you sell through Charles Bainbridge, from the initial valuation through to the day your sale completes.
We believe in being straightforward with our clients. You’ll find clear information here - and if you have questions at any point, just get in touch.
The first step is a valuation. One of our team will visit your property, assess its current market value and give you an honest view of what a well-managed sale looks like in the present market. We draw on our knowledge of the local area, comparable sold prices and current buyer demand to arrive at a figure that reflects reality, not wishful thinking.
Our valuations are free and carry no obligation.
If you’re satisfied with the valuation and want to proceed, we’ll ask you to sign our Terms of Business. These set out our fee, the agreed asking price and the terms of the instruction. You’ll also be asked to provide photographic ID and a document confirming your address - this is a legal requirement under Anti-Money Laundering regulations and is standard practice for all reputable agents.
We don’t tie clients into lengthy sole agency contracts. We believe in earning your confidence through the quality of our work, not through obligation.
Once instructed, we’ll prepare your marketing materials - professional photography, floor plans and a property description that highlights what makes your home worth seeing. Your property will be listed on:
Rightmove
OnTheMarket
The Charles Bainbridge website
Registered buyers on our database are contacted directly when a property matching their requirements comes to market.
We accompany all viewings unless you specifically request otherwise. This means buyers receive a proper introduction to your home, and we’re able to gauge genuine interest and gather useful feedback directly. We’ll update you after each viewing with what was said and our assessment of the level of interest.
We can accommodate viewings at evenings and weekends where needed.
All offers are communicated to you promptly - verbally first, then in writing. We will give you our honest assessment of each offer, including the buyer’s position: whether they are cash buyers, have a mortgage agreed in principle, and whether they have a property to sell and whether it is already under offer.
It is our job to negotiate on your behalf. We will work to achieve the best price and the most suitable buyer for your circumstances. Once an offer is agreed, we will write to all parties to confirm the terms.
Once an offer is accepted, you’ll need to instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of the transaction. If you don’t have one, we’re happy to recommend firms with a strong track record of moving sales through efficiently.
Your solicitor will draft the contract, deal with enquiries from the buyer’s solicitor, and handle title deeds, searches and any lease matters. The buyer will also arrange a survey at this stage.
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7. Exchange of Contracts and Completion
Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. A completion date is agreed and the buyer pays their deposit - typically 10% of the purchase price.
Completion is the day the balance of funds transfers and keys are handed over. In most cases, exchange and completion happen on the same day or within a short period of each other.
8. Managing Your Sale
From offer accepted to completion, a sale typically takes between eight and sixteen weeks, depending on the length of the chain and the speed of solicitors. We take an active role throughout - chasing solicitors, checking in with all parties and keeping you informed at every stage. If something looks like it might cause a delay, we’ll tell you as soon as we know.
You won’t be left wondering what’s happening.