How country house sellers can maximise their chances in the current market

Spring and summer are traditionally the busiest times for buying and selling houses in the country, with buyers enticed with the promise of long English summer days on the horizon.

With the current global economic challenges, the country house market may not be as busy as we had hoped at the beginning of the year. Stock levels across the housing market are relatively high and we can therefore expect it to be a buyer’s market.

With this in mind, it is even more important that sellers are well prepared to ensure that they do not lose that elusive buyer and to ensure that deals, once agreed, progress swiftly to an exchange of contracts.

Here are our six top tips for those preparing to sell a country house.

1. Appoint a reputable sales agent

Sellers should appoint an experienced estate agent with a developed knowledge of the local market and latest trends to advise on price and an effective marketing strategy. First impressions certainly count, and the sales brochure is key to showcasing the best attributes of the property and your agent will be able to identify these for you. The sales brochure should also include all material information relating to the property to avoid any unexpected surprises for the buyer once the conveyancing process has begun, and sellers should work with their agent and solicitor to ensure that information is accurate. We refer you to our “Marketing a property for sale: best practice” insight for further detail.

2. Appoint solicitors early

Appointing your solicitors ahead of the property being launched can be critical in today’s market. It means your solicitors can prepare the sales pack ahead of a buyer being found so that the legal work can commence immediately once terms are agreed. Delays at the outset can damage the initial goodwill and enthusiasm, so being ready to proceed immediately will be key to a successful deal.

Good solicitors can also help by reviewing the sales particulars to confirm accuracy, which will in turn help prevent misunderstandings down the line.

3. Complete the protocol forms

A seller is required to provide a property information form (often referred to as a TA6) and a fittings and contents form (TA10) as a minimum at the start of the conveyancing process. The property information form is an 18-page document designed to extract key information concerning the property that should be disclosed to the buyer. Given the length and nature of some of the questions, it can be a time-consuming and complex process and by completing these early sellers will have sufficient time to obtain the expert advice and input of their solicitors as they work through the forms.

4. Compile the supporting paperwork

If works have been carried out to the property, it will be important to compile copies of all listed building consents, planning permissions and building regulations completion certificates for the works, together with copies of approvals issued pursuant to conditions attached to the listed building consents and planning permissions. Sellers will also want to collate copies of any environmental and health and safety paperwork for the property including inspection records for the electrical and gas installations, private drainage system and any environmental permits.

As not all of these documents will be readily available and may be required from third parties, you should allow time to collate all of the documents. Again, this will avoid delays once terms are agreed.

Your solicitors can manage the process of compiling the documents and ensure there are no gaps in the sales pack. 

These are key documents that will be requested by a buyer and their legal team, and it is helpful if your solicitor is aware of any gaps before these are passed to the buyer so that you may also discuss how this is best packaged and presented to the buyer.

5. Work with your solicitors to address issues and quirks

Appointing solicitors early means you can consider the best way to address any issues or quirks that are likely to be of interest or concern to a buyer, eg informal rights of way, boundaries or obligations to contribute towards jointly used services. 

These are all matters that can unnerve a buyer, so considering how to present the points (and resolving any issues ahead of a buyer being found, where possible) will again assist in achieving a smooth and successful transaction.

6. Consider local authority search turnaround times

The local authority search is arguably the most important of the standard searches carried out by a buyer. Most buyers are unwilling (or unable if they are obtaining mortgage finance) to proceed to an exchange of contracts without it.

Most sellers will be well advised to consider obtaining a local authority search ahead of a buyer being found, especially if it will take a buyer a long time to get the search result. The search can then be included in the pack. The cost is minimal, and you can always ask the buyer to reimburse you for the cost.

The current search turnaround times are:

As you will see, early preparation can be key to finding the best buyer and to ensuring a smooth and successful sale. More information on the sales process more generally can be found in our selling guide here.

We are always happy to have an early conversation about your sale plans and see how we might assist.

This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

© Farrer & Co LLP, April 2025