Finding a dream brand new property is a wonderful thing, but those already owning a home may be worried about the property chain and selling their existing home. Thankfully, many housebuilders run assistance schemes to help tackle these worries.
Here we look at just a few of the current initiatives available. Remember that terms and conditions apply to all of these and they are only available on selected plots, so please ensure you get full details about it all from the housebuilder before you sign up. Happy house-hunting!
Crest Nicholson: SmoothMove
Tom Maidment, senior sales manager at Crest Nicholson: “Our SmoothMove scheme is designed to ensure that moving into a new property is as easy and stress-free as possible. We aim to simplify the moving process by supporting customers with all of the admin typically involved with selling their current home.
“Once a customer has reserved one of our new properties, Crest Nicholson will arrange for three independent estate agents to come and value the purchaser’s current home. We will provide all property details and photographs and ultimately manage the sale of the property, arranging house viewings and paying the estate agents fees to an agreed limit. This is an incredibly useful and popular
Redrow: Help to Sell
Redrow will arrange to have an existing property appraised by a specialist estate agent partner and agree a valuation and marketing plan; the agent will then market the property under Redrow’s guidance, helping to achieve a quick and easy sale.
“Worrying about selling an existing property can make moving house seem like a headache and that can put people off from making the move altogether,” says Lesley Myers, sales manager for Redrow Homes (Lancashire). “The stress and cost of having to put their current home on the market can cause some people to stay put – however keen they are to invest in a beautiful new home. Thankfully Help to Sell can alleviate much of the hassle and we will contribute to the estate agent’s fees too.”
Bellway: Express Mover
The housebuilder’s team works with a recommended local agent to market your home. You agree the selling price on your existing home, and the company liaises with the agent on a regular basis to encourage them to find a buyer as quickly as possible. Bellway pays the estate agents’ fee.
Jen and Ellie upsized from a two-bedroom home to a five-bedroom house at Barley Fields, Tamworth. Jen said: “Using Express Mover was especially helpful for us as we couldn’t wait to move! We just wanted to speed up the process as much as we could. The Bellway staff were massively helpful, and we ended up moving quicker than lightning!”
Elan Homes: EasyMove
If you are happy with the valuation, the company will instruct an independent estate agent to market your property. You'll be updated about enquiries and offers. Once you receive an acceptable offer, you can reserve your brand new Elan home. The housebuilder will endeavour to manage the chain for you in conjunction with the agents/solicitor. You will then exchange contracts with your buyer and Elan Homes simultaneously, and an anticipated completion date will be given by your solicitor wherever possible. The estate agent fees are paid in full.
Owl Homes: Assisted Move
Owl Homes arranges for two independent valuations with local agents and agree a selling price with you. They then manage the sale of your property from advertising through to completion, keeping you fully informed throughout the process.
Peter Ward Homes: FreeSell
Peter Ward Homes markets your existing property and pay all the estate agents costs. Choose your new home and the sales representative will explain the details of FreeSell to you. The company then arranges for one or more estate agents to value your existing property and then agree a realistic price with you. In certain circumstances, subject to terms and conditions, if a lower offer is accepted, the company can make up the difference so you can still proceed.
You then pay a reservation fee and the marketing on your existing home begins. The usual period allowed is six weeks, but this can be extended. Once a buyer is found, contracts are signed and you remain in your property until you take ownership of your new home. The company pays all the estate agent’s costs.
Miller Homes: Assisted Move
Having chosen the home your want to purchase, Miller Homes appoints an estate agent to provide a valuation of your old property. Based on that valuation, you agree a price and they get their team of experts put together a plan to get your old home sold. When your home is sold, the housebuilder pays all of the estate agent fees and advertising costs, up to a maximum of 1.5% of the Assisted Move house value.
Prospect Homes: EasyMove
The housebuilder will help you decide on a competitive sale price for your current home by arranging independent valuations. The selected estate agent is then managed by the company on your behalf to ensure legal and independent financial advisors. Estate agency fees are covered up to £3,000 once you’ve got a buyer.
Barratt Homes/David Wilson Homes: Movemaker
The housebuilder organises two independent valuations of your existing home. On agreeing a selling price, you sign a Movemaker agreement and an agent is instructed to start marketing your property. When an acceptable offer is made, the estate agent continues working on the sale through to completion. Barratt pays the estate agent fees.
Steve, who purchased a three-bedroom home at Perry Court in Faversham: “Movemaker saved me a lot of stress and meant that I didn’t need to deal with estate agents and the like, as the Barratt Kent sales team took care of it all for me. I would definitely recommend the scheme as it made the moving process really straightforward!”
CALA Homes: Guaranteed Buyer
Under the Guaranteed Buyer Plan, you get a free valuation on your current property as well as free expert advice and support to sell it. If your home is unsold six weeks before you are due to move in to your new Mactaggart & Mickel home, the housebuilder will buy your property in Part Exchange at a previously agreed price.
Bovis Homes: Smooth Move
The company arranges for one or more estate agents to value your current property and agree a selling price. Bovis Homes then manages the sale, instructing the chosen agent and dealing with them throughout the sales process. Once a buyer for your current property is found, you can then reserve your new Bovis home. On legal completion, the company pay the estate agency fees. An upfront fee of £500 will be required on this scheme, but it will be refundable against the reservation fee and purchase price of your new home.