London is home to 1,387 Grade II* listed buildings. A listed building is one that’s deemed to have significant national importance. This could be historical or architectural value.
When a building is listed, it is entered into a special register called the ‘List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest’. Once a building becomes listed, it is enshrined by a legal framework, preventing it from being altered, extended, or, worse still, demolished, without the approval of a local planning authority.
Thanks to the age of London’s property, more than 5% of all listed buildings in England are in the capital. The majority of these are reportedly located in the boroughs of Westminster, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, and Islington.
Whether you own a listed home or have inherited a listed home in London, selling it can feel like a daunting prospect. You know just how much administrative work goes into maintaining a listed property, coupled with the time and costs involved.
It’s understandable that you’d wonder whether any prospective buyers would be prepared to do the same. If you’ve owned the property for a considerable time, try to remember the feeling you had when you signed on the dotted line to own it.
The reality is that there will be plenty of people out there prepared to take on the mantle. Here are some pointers to help you facilitate a faster, stress-free sale of a listed residential property.
How to Sell a Listed Home in London?
Complete All Necessary Paperwork
Submit all required documentation as accurately and efficiently as possible. This includes TA6 forms and any Listed Building Consent documents.
The latter proves to potential buyers that any work undertaken had planning permission and building regulations consent.
Any sizeable work to a listed building will normally come with Latent Defect Warranties or Professional Consultant Certificates too.
Staging Your Home is an Effective Tool
Preparing a listed building for sale is a big task. It requires vision and creative flair. You need to use décor and furniture that complements the period features of the property. Do everything you can to accentuate period features, be it fireplaces, beams, or windows.
Be Realistic With Pricing Your Listed Property
Let’s face it, we all want to achieve the best price for our assets. But finding the sweet spot that catches the eye of buyers and gets a deal done is your number-one priority.
Make sure to look at the open market and look at asking prices for similar listed buildings in London. You could even get a professional valuation carried out. If the property needs renovation, be sure to factor restoration costs in too.
If All Else Fails, Consider a Cash Buyer
If you find it difficult to attract sufficient interest or close a mutually beneficial deal, all is not lost at this stage. If you want to learn how to sell your house fast, embracing cash buyers would be a step in the right direction.
These buyers are highly liquid and usually have the funds to purchase even listed buildings at breakneck speeds of as little as seven working days. One of the main benefits of using a cash buyer service is to close a deal without having to go through estate agent intermediaries.
There’s no chance of becoming embroiled in a lengthy property chain or a deal falling through. Cash buyer platforms can usually give you a price they’re prepared to pay within a matter of hours.
Selling listed properties in the capital can be achieved with the right dedication to leveraging its unique charm and making the right sale decision based on your personal circumstances.
