Practical Tips for Sellers to Speed Up Their Property Sale
One of the most frustrating parts of selling a property is the long wait between going sale-agreed and finally closing.
While some delays are unavoidable, many can be significantly reduced if sellers take a few simple steps early in the process.
If you’re planning to sell, or you’ve just gone sale agreed, here’s how you can help shorten the timeline, reduce stress, and keep your sale moving smoothly.
1. Appoint Your Solicitor Early (Not After Sale Agreed)
One of the biggest causes of delay is sellers waiting until they’ve accepted an offer before engaging a solicitor. WRONG!
What to do instead:
Choose and instruct your solicitor as soon as your property goes on the market, or even before.
This allows your solicitor to:
- Request your title deeds early
- Review contracts
- Identify any legal issues in advance
- Prepare documents ahead of time
This simple step can easily shave weeks off the process.
2. Locate Important Documents in Advance
Delays often happen when solicitors are waiting on paperwork. Having documents ready can massively speed things up.
Key documents include:
- Title deeds
- Planning permission and compliance certificates
- Certificates of exemption (if applicable)
- BER certificate
- Details of any extensions or alterations
If your property has had works carried out, make sure all planning and compliance paperwork is in order. Missing documents are a major cause of
slowdowns.
3. Disclose Issues Early — Not at the Last Minute
If there are any known issues with the property (planning, boundaries, rights of way, access, septic tanks, shared driveways, etc.), it’s far better to flag them early.
Early disclosure allows:
- Problems to be addressed proactively
- Legal solutions to be found
- Buyer concerns to be managed calmly
Late surprises often cause panic, renegotiations, or worse collapsed sales.
4. Be Organised & Responsive
Once your sale is agreed, time really matters. Responding quickly to queries from your agent and solicitor keeps the momentum strong.
Aim to:
- Reply promptly to emails and calls
- Return signed documents quickly
- Approve paperwork without delay
Even small hold-ups can add days, or weeks, to the timeline.
5. Choose an Experienced Property Solicitor
Not all solicitors handle conveyancing with the same level of speed or efficiency.
When choosing a solicitor, look for someone who:
- Specialises in property transactions
- Has strong communication systems (this one is SO IMPORTANT!)
- Is known for being proactive rather than reactive.
A good solicitor will actively push your sale forward, not just respond when problems arise. I personally love working with Linda Enright of Enright and Co. Solicitors based in Castleisland and can highly recommend her.
6. Work Closely With Your Estate Agent
Your estate agent plays a crucial role after sale agreed, not just before. Trusting them is so massively important.
A proactive agent will:
- Liaise constantly between buyer, seller, and solicitors
- Chase outstanding documents
- Identify bottlenecks early
- Help resolve issues before they escalate
Keeping open communication with your agent can significantly reduce your stress and delays with the sale going through. Your agent has seen whatever scenario you’re experiencing a thousand plus times and knows how to deal with it; trust them and their advice.
Final Thoughts
While no two sales are the same, preparation is the single biggest factor in reducing the time between sale agreed and closing.
By getting organised early, choosing the right professionals, and staying
responsive, sellers can dramatically shorten the process, often by several
weeks, while reducing stress and uncertainty along the way.
If you’re thinking of selling and want expert guidance from start to finish, feel free
to get in touch. I’d be delighted to help.
Sherry
