A number of questions that we get asked are quite common. Therefore, we have put together our best answers for those questions. If you have a question that we haven’t answered, please don’t hesitate to ask us on 01924 729292 or hello@rutleyclark.co.uk.
Marketing your home in a unique way takes time – typically around 21 days. Like a good wine it takes time to get it right, but the end result is better if you spend the time on it now.
Utilising the best experts we have found, to create beautiful bespoke brochures for your home, means you stand out from the crowd. It takes a little time but then puts you ahead of the rest. Likewise getting photographs right from the beginning can attract the right buyers from the start, saving time in the long run.
We carry out all viewings for you. This helps the buyer feel more comfortable asking questions and removes the hassle for you. We will provide valuable feedback shortly after each viewing, so you are always in a position of knowledge and if necessary, you can apply any improvements quickly. You can attend second viewings if you want to, but you don’t have to, we are here to take all that stress away.
Our fees are 1.8% inc VAT.
There is no contract tie-in period.
There is an up front engagement fee of £1,200 inc VAT.
We can guide you through this once we have done the initial Home Moving Consultation but there are four main categories of cost to consider. There are our fees, legal/conveyancing fees, necessary checks such as Energy Performance Certificates and then moving costs such as removal firms. You need to ensure you have all of these included in your budget.
Not really. It is best to ensure you pick the right dedicated team to support you in this new chapter. If they provide the right personal service, you should only need one. Having two agents can be confusing fr buyers and may give the impression you are desperate to sell and therefore attract low offers.
We create beautiful For Sale boards, each one unique to the house it is accompanying, with carefully chosen photographs to highlight key aspects of your home allowing buyers to glimpse what lays beyond and we believe they add an additional facet to our marketing ensuring your property gets noticed for all the right reasons. But it is a personal choice and if you decide not to have one that’s fine too.
Once the sale has been agreed and checks carried out, including any necessary surveys your legal team will work on exchanging contracts. It typically takes 4 to 12 weeks between offer and exchange but it depends upon each circumstance and other parties in the chain. We will be with you every step of the way, making sure each process is followed up and providing guidance on your role.
When buying a home in England, the amount of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) you need to pay depends on the purchase price and your circumstances, whether you’re a first time buyer, a standard buyer (moving from one main residence to another), or buying an additional property such as a second home or buy to let. Stamp duty is charged on portions of the price within specific bands, not on the total price at a single rate. The rates below are correct as of July 2025:
| Portion of Property Price | Standard Buyer | First Time Buyer | Additional Property (Second Home or Buy to Let) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £250,000 | 0% | 0% if purchase is £425,000 or less | 3% |
| £250,001 to £425,000 | 5% | 0% up to £425,000, then 5% above | 8% |
| £425,001 to £925,000 | 5% | 5% on amount above £425,000 | 8% |
| £925,001 to £1.5 million | 10% | Not applicable | 13% |
| Over £1.5 million | 12% | Not applicable | 15% |
Examples:
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A first-time buyer purchasing a £400,000 home pays £0 stamp duty.
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A standard buyer purchasing a £400,000 home pays £7,500 (0% on first £250,000, 5% on the remaining £150,000).
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An additional property buyer purchasing the same £400,000 home pays £19,500 (3% on first £250,000, 8% on the remaining £150,000).
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Buying a £1,000,000 home as an additional property (e.g. keeping your current main residence) would result in a total stamp duty bill of £73,750, calculated as:
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3% on the first £250,000 = £7,500
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8% on the next £675,000 (£250,001 to £925,000) = £54,000
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13% on the remaining £75,000 (£925,001 to £1,000,000) = £9,750
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You have to complete a Stamp Duty Land Tax Return within 14 days of completion, but your property and legal team will advise you on what to do.
This is normally only the case if you are selling a second home, but again we can advise you about this after the Home Moving Consultation and also refer you to a tax specialist if needed.
This will depend on who you choose as your legal partner. Prices vary and so does service. We would be happy to make recommendations to you of firms we have found we work well with and who hold similar values, to ensure that once we find you a buyer, the sale completes in a timescale that suits you.
Yes. Anyone selling a house or renting, must purchase an EPC. As your estate agent, we have to include the EPC in your marketing literature, as well as sharing this with your legal team.
The best thing to do is to book a Rental Advice Meeting. We can then look at all the options for you both renting and selling.