10 Simple Steps for a Successful Sale

Contract Ready Properties – the way forward.

Since arriving on the property scene in 2004 APP Kirrane Auctioneering have been dedicated to improving the selling experience for its clients and the general public.  Constantly driven to provide an ever more efficient service, we work closely with our clients to have contracts prepared as their properties come to the market. NOT after a sale is agreed.

The step makes perfect sense and does not typically incur clients in any extra cost.  Few properties have no issues to resolve prior to sale. This pro-active approach means a contract can be prepared once a buyer is found and greatly reduces the chances of the sale falling through unnecessarily.  It is important that vendors instruct a solicitor that is equally committed to accelerating the selling process. 

The following steps are a guideline for vendors to have ‘their property in order’ if selling to ensure a hassle free sale in a timely manner.

Our extensive selling experience and advice has already helped hundreds of satisfied clients.  The process need not be protracted. Preparation and the right professionals can see your property sold and completed in a few weeks, NOT a few months.

In order for your solicitor to prepare contracts they will need the title deeds.  If you do not have a mortgage you will need to locate the title deeds which may be with your solicitor.

If your house is mortgaged the title deeds will be held by your bank.  You will need to give written authorisation to your solicitor to obtain the title deeds from the bank.  This process takes approximately two weeks to get these from the lender.

Your solicitor must order an up to date map from the Land Registry which takes approximately one week to arrive.

Any residential property constructed since October 01, 1964 requires planning permission.  Your solicitor will need to make sure that the planning documentation is in order. This will involve an architect’s certificate.  The architect confirms that the conditions of the planning regulations have been complied with. This should be with the title documents.

If you have renovated or extended your property since purchase, you will need to obtain a copy of the recent planning permission together with an architect’s certificate of compliance with planning permission and building regulations or exemption for planning permission.  If there are any development charges referred to in the planning permission you will need to obtain a letter from the county council confirming these charges have been paid.

It is very important that your boundaries on the ground correspond with the site map.  We recommend this is checked prior to offering the property to the market.

You will need to obtain a BER Certificate.  It is a legal requirement to have a BER Certificate. This BER rating must be included on all advertising material and brochures.

If any furniture, white goods, light fittings or fixtures are included in the sale you will need to prepare a list of these items.

You must have a valid PPS Number in order to sell any property.  If you do not have a PPS number you will need to apply for one to the Department of Social Protection.  This process can take 8-10 weeks.

You will require clearance from Revenue that the LPT is paid.  In most cases clearance can be obtained by accessing the LPT online system.  To do this you log onto: www.revenue.ie using : The property ID and Property PIN, Your PPS number or Tax Reference number.

You should select the Property History Screen to view the relevant LPT details which can be printed off and used to satisfy the purchaser that the property has no outstanding LPT issues.

Household Charge.

You will require a Certificate of Discharge that the Household Charge (which was abolished in 2013) was paid for in 2012-2013.  If a property is exempt from the Household Charge or you are entitled to a waiver, you will require a Certificate of Exemption or Waiver.

Certificates can be obtained by contacting Household Charge Support Centre, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1 or LoCall 1890 357 357 or 01 4853695.  You will be asked for your PPS number and the Property Id. The certificate takes approximately 10 working days to issue.

Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR).

If the property is not your principal residence you will need to pay the NPPR and print out a Certificate of Discharge from: www.nppr.ie.  This was an annual charge for NPPR from 2009-2013.

If your house or apartment is in a housing estate which is managed by a management company you will need to obtain a receipt for the payment of service charges.  A copy of the most recent management accounts and the contact details of the management company for your solicitor.

If the property is situated in a housing estate a letter from the local authority confirming whether the roads and services in the development have been taken in charge by the Local Authority must be obtained.  This letter from the County Council can take up to 8 weeks.

If there is a burden on the Folio comprised within the Land Registry instrument the instrument should be ordered by the solicitor without delay as this can take approximately 6 weeks to issue instruments.

If there is a septic tank or treatment system serving the property a registration certificate under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 must be furnished.

The contract for sale is drawn up once the solicitor has received all the documentation.  

Your solicitor can then send the contracts and title deeds to us by electronic mail and we can upload the contracts and title deeds to our website.  This information is secure and not in the public domain one needs to register to gain access to such information.

Prospective buyers may want to check the title documents before purchasing and this will speed up the process.  Their solicitor, surveyor or architect can register with us and obtain access to these documents.

Once a sale is agreed the contracts can be sent to the purchaser’s solicitor the same day the sale is agreed.  When this process is followed and commenced prior to a property been offered for sale the sales process runs smoothly, giving rise to no issues and can be processed in a timely and controlled manner for the betterment of Vendor, Purchaser, Estate Agents, Solicitors, Financial Institutions, Engineers and Architects.

That’s it!

Just 10 simple steps to follow for a
successful sale of your property.

Please get in touch with us today!