It is a commonly held misconception that an estate agent does more beyond the point of finding you a buyer. When the agent has secured a sale, the legal team steps in. Your solicitor, in other words. That’s where the agent’s role ends. Some agencies employ a individual to monitor the conveyancing and hurry things along, and this can be quite useful - although this is something that is very easy to do yourself.

Just as you would when selling your home through an estate agent, it is probably more important to have your solicitor lined up ready for when you accept an offer on your property privately.

With the offer agreed, get the following information from your seller:

Buyer’s Name

Buyer’s Address

Buyer’s telephone numbers

Buyer’s email address

Buyer’s solicitor name

Buyer’s solicitor address

Buyer’s solicitor telephone numbers

Pass the same information about you onto to your buyer.

The buyer or the buyer’s mortgage company should now arrange a survey on your property. This is a crucial point in the whole process: it tells you that your buyer is serious and that they are prepared to spend money to prove it.

If the survey shows up any problems be prepared for the buyer to come back a renegotiate the price with you. Be careful though - buyers are notorious for using the survey as a negotiating tool. However, be reasonable; if there’s a serious defect you may need to compromise, but if you feel that they are just trying it on then you might want to stand your ground.

With prices agreed, and their mortgage company happy to lend the sum they have requested against your property, then the real paperwork begins.

Don’t pester your solicitor, but do ensure that pace is kept. It is very easy for one party to slow the process down: so ensure you’re on top.