Sell and rent back is one way of avoiding losing your home if you are behind with your mortgage repayments. Finding a quick sale completion company who is willing to buy your home fast may save a great deal of heartache as you are able to remain in the property. However, when considering selling and renting back, you may wish to weigh up the pros and cons before jumping in.

One of the biggest pros when you choose to sell and rent back with a quick sale completion company is of course that you are able to remain in the property. When you sell and rent back the company works with you to find a deal that works for you. They typically give you so much of the full value of your home and then ask that you pay so much in rent each week so that you can stay on in the property. This brings us to one of the downsides of choosing to sell and rent back.

Typically when selling your home through sell and rent back with a quick sale completion company you are not given the full asking price of your property. However this may not be as bad as it sounds when you take into account what you get in return.

When selling with a quick sale company offering you the chance to sell and rent back there are usually no fees to pay out to such as an estate agent or a solicitor. When you take into account that these fees may add up to a considerable sum of money the slight reduction in the price you may be offered for your property may not seem as daunting as it first did.

You also have to take into account that when you sell and rent back to avoid repossession you are usually able to get a guaranteed sale if you and the quick sale completion company are happy to go ahead. This sale may also be over very quickly, often in just a matter of a few weeks, which when faced with repossession can be a lifeline.

Another bonus to choosing to sell and rent back your home is that you are often given the chance by the quick sale completion company of buying back in the future. You may have short term financial problems and are able to buy back at an agreed date in the future and for an agreed sum of money at the time of selling. You are able to choose to sell and rent back your home in a wide range of circumstances requiring you to obtain a fast house sale.

You may sell and rent back if divorcing and one partner wishes to remain in the property. You might need to get your hands on a large cash sum of money by using the equity in your home. In these cases you can sell property fast and rent back to remain in it with the option of buying back in the future. You might even wish to sell fast and rent back if you are emigrating and want peace of mind of a fast sale. In this case you can sell for cash and then rent back the property until it’s time to leave.

Have you ever wondered how many times homeowners have uttered the words, “I want to sell my house for cash and sell quickly?” Anyone wanting a fast house sale may wish to give some thought to the options available to them. So if you want to know how to sell your house quickly then read on.

So if I wanted to sell my house for cash what are my options? I could sell through an estate agent, I could try to sell my house privately or I could choose to sell to a company that offers to buy homes for cash. When considering how to sell your house quickly you may wish to forget about estate agents, as typically properties can remain on the market for many months. You may try to advertise yourself but this comes with costs for advertising, printing, it is time consuming and you may not get a fast sale. I could choose the third option and sell my house for cash to a company offering a quick sale, and if time is of the essence this may be the best choice out of the three.

One of the main problems if I wanted to sell my house for cash myself or with an estate agent, besides the fact that I may not get a quick sale, is the costs involved. With both of these options I would have to pay out for a solicitor at some point and when going with an estate agent I would have their fees to pay.

When looking into how to sell your house quickly with a specialist company you will find that typically there are no fees to pay. Usually any fees are paid by the company which means you might be able to save a great deal of money.

However if I wanted to sell my house for cash with such a company, while there are usually no fees attached, there is another factor that has to be weighed up. This factor is that I many not get the full asking price for the property. This could be something like 20% to 34% below the current market value. However when looking into how to sell your house quickly this way, you may want to weigh up the fact that you will not have fees to pay, you are guaranteed a fast sale if you and the company are happy to go ahead and you may sell in just a matter of weeks.

If I wanted to sell my house for cash then I would also have to bear in mind that if I were to sell myself or with an estate agent I might not get the asking price for my home anyway. Bear in mind that in order to get buyers interested in your home you could have to drop the asking price considerably and you may even have to pay out to spruce up your property if it is in disrepair.

So when looking into how to sell your house quickly you may wish to spend some time weighing up the above before choosing which of the options might be the most suitable.

There are many aspects that you have to deal with when looking for a fast home sale and one of the most important is choosing a good solicitor. So how does one find a good solicitor and what should you look for?

There are numerous ways to go about finding a great solicitor when you wish to sell a house fast. You could for instance choose to ask around friends and family to find out which solicitor they chose, your mortgage lender may have some suggestions where to look and of course if you already have a family solicitor this should be one of your ports of call, if they themselves do not deal with fast house sales the chances are that they will know of someone.

Of course when looking for a solicitor to help you to sell property fast one of your main concerns will be the fees. You may find when you look around that the hourly rate for solicitors varies and some may ask for extravagant sums of money. There could be numerous reasons why one solicitor may charge much more than other; experience for example could be a factor. However this is not to say that the more you pay the better service you get, so you have to do your homework thoroughly. The internet is a great place for checking out solicitor’s websites and their company backgrounds, so use it! You may also wish to check if the solicitor you are considering belongs to an organization. The yellow pages or phone book is also a great starting place when looking for solicitors in your area; you can even make a search on the internet using a search engine, specifying your local area.

It is essential to choose a good solicitor who has had plenty of experience in helping others to sell property quickly.  Your solicitor will have to take care of many tasks and these include, the exchange of a sales agreement, obtaining the title property deeds, property information, drafting up a contract and transfer of money and the title deeds to the property.

When choosing a solicitor to help you sell your house for cash you also need to consider the fact that the selling process can take a great deal of time so you need to choose a solicitor that you get along with. If you clash at your first meeting it might be an indication that you should look around as you do not want to add stress onto an already stressful situation. If you feel happy and relaxed when talking with the solicitor and they put you at ease you cannot go wrong.

Choosing the right solicitor can make a huge difference when you need to sell property fast. Always get your solicitor to talk in a language that you understand and ensure that you know what you are signing before putting pen to paper. Choosing someone who is not in too much of a rush that they may overlook something yet who does not act too slow can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, however it is possible and it is in your best interest to ensure you do so.

QSC have contacts with solicitors throughout the UK who specialize in helping homeowners in difficult situations – feel free to contact us via our ‘60 Second Enquiry’ form on the following website: http://www.quick-sale-completions.co.uk/

Mortgage arrears can be the worst nightmare of any homebuyer as they may lead to you losing your home. However this is not to say that all is lost if you fall behind with your mortgage repayments, in some cases property buyers are able to avoid repossession, but this may depend on your actions and your dealings with your lender.

Typically lenders are reluctant to take property away from the homebuyer, despite what you may believe the majority would rather come to an agreement with property buyers, allowing them to stay in their homes. Repossession is usually only a final resort and of course depends on how far you are behind with your mortgage repayments and the circumstances. Generally major lenders do not commence mortgage repossession unless you are at least three months in mortgage arrears; some may even give the homebuyer six months grace before taking proceedings. If you know you cannot meet your mortgage repayment the first step is to:

Speak with your mortgage lender

As soon as you realize you cannot meet your mortgage repayment, the first step, and this is a crucial step, is to get in touch with your mortgage lender. The sooner you contact them the better your chances are of being able to reach an agreement, so let your lender know what’s happening. Never be tempted to hide your head in the sand and hope that your financial problems will go away, they never do. Your lender may talk with you about actions you are able to take to remedy your situation. For instance you could:

Take a holiday from your mortgage repayments

If financial problems are short term you may be able to take a holiday from your mortgage repayments. This may allow you some time to get back on track, however usually this affects your credit rating.

Extend the terms of your mortgage

Consider extending the term of the mortgage which allows you to spread the cost, which typically reduces the monthly mortgage repayment. However you will pay out more in interest on the loan by doing so, but once you catch up and you are in a better financial position you may be able to reduce the mortgages term.

Switch to an interest only mortgage

You could consider asking the lender if you can switch to an interest only mortgage for a short while and this may bring your mortgage repayments down by a great deal each month. The downside is that you are only repaying the interest on the total amount you borrow and have to find the capital when you reach the term of the interest only mortgage.

If all else fails, consider other options

If you cannot reach an agreement with your lender then you may wish to consider other options such as a quick sale of your home. There are property purchasing companies out there who specialize in helping property buyers get a cash home sale. When considering this as a last resort you are able to sell your house for cash and pay off your mortgage. You can even sell to rent back which means you do not have to move, you can stay in the property as a tenant and pay affordable rent.

Selling a house fast has never been an easy task and today it is a little harder as people are much more careful with their money and have many properties to pick and choose from. If you want a fast property sale then you need to do all you can to attract property buyers. Here are 7 top tips to help you to sell house fast.

First impressions do count for a lot. The first thing that potential buyers will see is the front of your home and if they see cracking paintwork, weeds and long grass in the garden or general disarray, they may very well walk away without even looking around your home. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to tidy up the garden, cut the grass and plant a few flowers, spending a little money and time may be the deal clincher. Take a good look at the outside of your property, including guttering, windows and doors and spruce it up with a little paint!

Our second tip concerns the cleanliness of your property. You are not going to get a quick house sale if potential buyers walk into a house that looks dusty, smells fusty and especially if they cannot see through the windows for grime. Take the time to ensure that your home is clean and sparkling throughout; it gives a much better visual appearance and smells much nicer.

Take a look around your home to see if there is anything that needs doing in the DIY department. Will those cracked and loose tiles in the bathroom put off property buyers? Probably, and all it takes is a little time and effort to remedy and better your chances of obtaining a fast property sale.

You may like bright bold colors, large patterns or stripes, but this is not to everyone’s taste. Therefore you might want to consider neutralizing the color scheme and decoration in your home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, just repaint in creams or beiges, colors that open up the place and make it light and airy are what’s needed.

When it comes to selling a house fast there is nothing more likely to put potential home buyers off than walking around a home full of clutter. Clutter makes your rooms look small and untidy, so when looking for a quick sale, less is best, go for the minimal look in all rooms of your home. Clearing out the clutter now works to your advantage as you have less to take with you when you move.

You may wish to consider the lighting in your home when looking into selling property fast. Think about creating mood and atmosphere instead of having a single bulb hanging from the ceiling illuminating the room. Subtle lighting may make the difference between quick sales and your home being left on the market.

Our final tip for obtaining fast house sales is to choose accessories wisely throughout your property. For instance a vase of fresh flowers and house plants carefully placed can make a huge difference. Hang a large mirror to reflect the light can make a smaller room appear larger and airy. Light and space instead of a dark and dingy cluttered room can help you to get a quick house sale for cash.

QSC have a great many years in helping homeowners sell their property fast. Whatever your circumstances for needing a fast sale we can usually help. Check out our website at http:// www.quick-sale-completions.co.uk and fill in our quick and easy online form.

This short blog post discusses how UK homeowners – in need of a fast sale – can achieve up to 100% of their property’s market value using our 100% legal ‘Part Now, Part Later’ programme.

Since property prices have fallen in the UK, homeowners across the UK have faced a number of problems when it comes to selling – some of which include:

• The fact that it is difficult for prospective buyers to get a mortgage at the moment due to the effects of the credit crunch;
• Estate Agents have many properties on their books meaning that homeowners are finding hard to sell for the price they want;
• At the time of writing, well over 4 million people are in negative equity (in England and Wales). With the property market looking at taking some time to recover – many people have no choice but to sit and wait to be able to sell;
• Chain breaks remains a common problem with 1 in 3 house sales are not going through to completion;
• The costs of selling a home are expensive (such as estate agency and HIP fees);
• Many homeowners do not want to accept the discount that most ‘cash house sale’ companies offer.

Here at Quick Sale Completions, we have developed an exclusive buying system that enables home owners to counteract all of the above problems (and more).  We use a fully legal framework that enables us and our associates to lease the property from you and eventually buy it at the price you want (which is agreed from the start).

There are a huge variety of ways we can conduct the sale and will build a solution specific to your circumstances whilst ensuring that all your solicitor costs are paid and you are fully comfortable.  We can offer this programme for any type of property, in any condition.

We realise that the programme is a new concept and you will no doubt have many questions – we have have produced a brochure which explains everything in detail (which is sent with every enquiry).  We will also be updating this blog on a regular basis and would welcome any questions to info@quicksalecompletions.co.uk.

To speak to us directly, please kindly complete our form to the right (’FAST, 60 SECOND ENQUIRY‘) to receive a no-obligation call from one of our Property Consultants.

Some readers of this blog may be interested to hear of a new scheme that is being launched in association with Look 4 a Property where interest free, unsecured loans of up to £50,000 are being offered to help with the costs of moving home (such as stamp duty, estate agency and legal costs).  The scheme is being used as a method to get the housing market going again and is the brain-child of ‘Dragon Den’ panellist – James Caan.

You will only be able to access the loan if you have an existing mortgage in place; they cannot be used to fund deposits and you will have to undergo a credit check.

For more information, please click here.

This short post goes through some of the things you should ensure when looking for and using a property conveyancing solicitor.  Note that even if you are using an estate agent’s ‘in house’ legal team – you should still check the following:

• Ask about how long the firm has been established and who will be processing your case (as well as their experience).  You can also feel free to request testimonials and/or speak to previous clients;

• Post on forums such as Money Savings Expert, The Consumer Action Group and What Consumer to ask questions about other people experiences of selling their houses;

• Ask about the firms completion time (the period in which all paper work – including searches – will be done and dusted and the keys can be handed over to the new owner);

• Phone a few other solicitor firms in the area to ensure you are not over-paying;

• Ensure the firm operates a ‘no-win, no-fee’ policy so you do not have to pay if, for whatever reason, the sale falls through;

• Be aware that if you have a larger property or the house is owned under a leasehold, then you may expect to pay more;

• Ask how busy they are at the moment – you do not want your file to be put to ‘the bottom of the pile’;

• If you are using a lease option to sell your home (to a property investor or other buyer, for example), ensure that the solicitor has experience of handling these types of transactions and that the correct paperwork is being used.  Many sellers choose to run all the paperwork through separate lawyer to ensure everything is above board.

Should you wish to use our panel of solicitors (with absolutely no obligation to use our service) please feel free contact us.

This short blog posts runs through some of the costs that you have to bear in mind when selling your house:

1)  Estate Agency Fees

Depending on your location in the UK, Estate Agents will usually look to charge between 1.5 and 2.5% of the sale price achieved (excluding VAT).  For this charge, they will actively market your property to their lists of buyers as well as place it their shop window, local newspapers and websites such as Rightmove and Find a Property.  Expect to pay a similar cost if you are looking to sell your property at auction.

There are also a few private and online house sale  companies that charge considerably less.  If you choose to go down this route (and pay a deposit, for example) be sure to check the background of the company and whether they have a proven track record.

2)  Solicitors Fees

You may find that the Estate Agency you are using recommends their ‘in house’ solicitor - however, you should note that you are under no obligation to use them.

In terms of cost you will be paying – some charge a percentage of the sale price of your home, whereas others will go for a fixed percentage or fee.  You may also be charged more if you have a larger property and if your property is a leasehold (as more checks will need to be undertaken).

As a benchmark figure, you should not be paying more than between 0.5-1% of your properties sale price.  Also, use a solicitor that works on a ‘no-sale, no-fee’ basis to protectyourself if something goes wrong with the transaction.

Should you wish to use our panel of solicitors (with no obligation to use our service) please feel free contact us.

3) Redemption / Arrangement Fees

Many of the clients that contact Quick Sale Completions often forget that if you are paying off your mortgage before the end of the stated terms – most lenders will charge a set fee.  Unfortunately, there are some homeowners that were not aware of this charge which can be up to 5% of the house value.  You may also not be aware of the mortgage ‘arrangement’ fee which is often added to the loan at the start of the agreement.  Contact your lender(s) to discuss where you stand.

4) Moving Costs

You should bear in mind the costs of moving out of your home – these would vary depending on the amount of possessions you have; how far away your new home is; if storage would be require; the ease of moving furniture and larger items in and out etc.

Please see below a short interview  with debt management expert, John Peart aka ‘Johnny Debt’.  Quick Sale Completions have worked with Johnny for a long time and often refer clients who are looking for no-nonsense and impartial advice directly to him:

1)  First off, can you give readers an idea of what you do at ‘Riding the Rhino’ and ’Debt Advice UK’?

Riding the Rhino – this is basically an on-line forum where people with financial issues can ask a question to which the general public and professionals can reply. The idea is that anyone who has massive debt or huge wealth issues, can ask a question on the forum.  The forum is also there to update people on news as well as to give money making and saving tips etc. We also have a blog section where anyone, or company, can have their say.

Debt-Advice-UK – this site is purely dedicated to people with debt issues.  We found that the problem with other debt sites is that they are usually tailored to one specific debt solution.   So if someone contacts one of these sites, more often than not, the person in debt making the enquiry will be told that their solution is right for them.  Debt-Advice-UK is a group of companies that work as a team, to deliver the right solution or solutions. When someone contacts Debt-Advice-UK, the first step would be to do a full financial fact find, then they will be informed of the different options available to them. They will also be given advice as to how each solution will affect them.

2)  Despite reports to the contrary, the UK remains in recession – are you finding that more and more people are contacting your organisation for assistance?

Yes. However, we tend to see different trends as to what problems individuals have. When interest rates were higher, we noticed that there was an increase in the number of people asking for advice on preventing repossessions. However, people asking for advice with regards to their credit cards and loans has been fairly constant.

We have also started to see a rise in the number of people looking to claim back unfair charges and mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI). I have to say that JD LAW, a company that we deal with regarding these sort of claims, have claimed back many thousands of pounds for clients.

We have also seen a large increase in enquiries relating to having debts written off unenforceable contracts. Currently we are not partnering any company that offers this sort of solution. Firstly, they usually charge a fairly hefty upfront fee and we have also yet to see first-hand a successful case where the debt has been written off.

3)  Many homeowners across the UK are benefiting from low interest rates at the moment – yet we all know that this will not last forever.  What sort of steps can people take to protect their future position when rates start going up?

This is one issue that we often discuss, I think the fall in interest rates saved a lot of people’s bacon! People really have to think about the future, because one thing for sure is that rates will go up again. I would suggest that people start asking their mortgage brokers and financial advisers what products are available today – that will help protect them in the future when rates do start to increase.  This is also a fantastic question that should be posted on the Riding the Rhino forum!  There are also other websites such as Love Money where mortgages are often discussed.

4)  Recent government statistics have pointed to an actual decrease in the level of repossessions in the UK in recent months.  However, should homeowners find themselves in this position what steps should be taken?

This is very easy to answer: at the slightest hint of trouble, seek advice! One of the biggest problems that we have found is that many people bury their heads in the sand thinking the issue will go away. In some cases we have had a call on a Friday afternoon asking to help preventing a repossession, due to take place on Monday.  Often we have managed to get an emergency hearing, just before the bailiffs are due to go in and stop the repossession! Yet, we have also failed to prevent repossessions because of the lack of time to prepare.  So the message is to seek help as soon as possible!

5)  Do you think lenders are more approachable in the current economic climate?

No! We have dealt with quite a few lenders and try to negotiate deals with them. In many cases solutions that we propose to the lenders are ignored. It is only once the case goes to court and the solution is put before the judge, then often the judge will rule in favour of the person facing eviction.

6)  Is it ever possible to decrease the level of secured debt (such a mortgage) against a property?  If so, how?

Yes. We have dealt with a number of cases where the property is in negative equity. In some negotiation cases the secured lender has accepted a figure less than the amount actually owed and written off the shortfall. Where as others have allowed the shortfall to become an unsecured debt.  It basically all boils down to presentation and showing the lender why the deal being offered is a better option than other scenarios that may come about – in other words, showing the lender that accepting the  current deal would generate more money than if the property, say, went to auction.

7)  There are many people that are now looking to take advantage of low house prices but are finding that the lenders criteria has become more strict.  What sort of steps can be taken to improve your credit rating and what, in your opinion, are the best ways to keep tabs on it?

Actually a post was put on the Rhino website to do with credit ratings just today.  I think people will find some useful information here.  I personally wonder if it has become more strict because the banks just don’t have the money to lend at the moment?  I know of some people who have a fantastic credit rating, but are unable to purchase properties in the way that they used to.

I think people interested in purchasing properties should also see if there are any property clubs operating in their area. These are often very useful sources of information, where every single aspect of property is available to you. Just go there and ask the question.  There are also a number of ‘tenant-buyer’ schemes which enable people with little or no deposits to eventually get on the housing ladder.

8)If readers have a high amount of unsecured debt (credit cards, loans, HP) – what steps can be taken to decrease / effectively manage them without effecting their credit rating?

The majority of people that we deal with, are usually in arrears with their payments and therefore their credit rating has already started to deteriorate.  We are on occasion approached by people who are looking for some form of debt solution and want to retain their good credit rating. The majority of the solutions that we offer will adversely affect someone’s credit rating.  However, the service that JD LAW offers with regards to reclaiming unfair charges and mis-sold PPI that we mentioned earlier, can be used in reducing a debt. In one particular case JD LAW were able to claim back over £18,000 on behalf of the client. Examples of these are in the blog section of the Rhino site.

In some cases consolidation loans are seen as a way of reducing the monthly payments to a more affordable level. However this service is not provided by Debt-Advice-UK, but there are many sites that do offer this solution.

9)  What are your thoughts on the increasing amount of companies offering ‘debt clearing’ services?  What should readers look out for when exploring this option?

I have very strong views about this: if these companies are so good at getting rid of debt, then why do some of them charge such hefty upfront fees. Also I have  visited many places on-line and off-line, asking for first-hand evidence showing successful cases. To-date I have yet to meet someone, or see the evidence that a debt has been successfully written off due to an unenforceable contract. This article is also worth reading.

10)  If people want to find out more about your services, how can they can in touch with you?

Firstly I would suggest that people go to the forum and ask for advice. Not only is this free, but professionals and individuals are able to offer advice from their experiences.  Your local CAB or CCCS are also excellent places for obtaining advice.  Should you actually wish to talk to someone confidentially on a one-to-one personal basis, visit Debt Advice UK and there are a number of ways to get someone to call you back when convenient.