ASSISTED SALE
Help selling a property that needs a little more
An assisted property sale gives you a way to explore improvements before selling, without necessarily funding the agreed works upfront.
What is an Assisted Sale?
An Assisted Sale is an agreed arrangement to prepare and market your property for sale. Where appropriate, Property Life Savers can arrange or fund improvements that may help the property appeal to buyers. This could include refurbishment, repairs, presentation or a better marketing approach.
It is not a promise to buy your home or a guarantee of a higher price. The proposed work, costs and financial arrangement depend on your property and must be agreed with you in writing before work starts.
Who might it suit?
- Homeowners whose property needs work before it can be presented at its best.
- People who cannot or would prefer not to pay agreed improvement costs upfront.
- Owners who want practical help coordinating the preparation and sale of a property.
- People with enough time to consider a planned sale, subject to the property’s finances and legal position.
An assisted sale property needs to be assessed individually. It may not be suitable if there is too little equity, the likely costs outweigh the potential benefit, or an urgent deadline leaves insufficient time.
Why consider it instead of a low quick-sale offer?
A quick-sale offer may reflect the buyer taking on work, costs and uncertainty. If there is time to prepare your home and market it more widely, an Assisted Sale may provide a different route.
The key comparison is what you could receive after all costs and the agreed settlement—not just the headline selling price. You should also consider a conventional estate-agent sale, selling in the property’s current condition and any other options suitable for your circumstances.
How can the improvement costs be funded?
Where agreed, Property Life Savers can arrange or fund specified works before the sale, so you do not pay those agreed costs upfront. This does not mean the improvements are free. The agreement must explain which costs are recoverable, when they are payable and how they are repaid.
Before signing, make sure you understand any fees, spending limits, responsibility for additional costs and whether you could owe anything if the sale is delayed, falls through or does not proceed. These details must be specific to your agreement.
What must be clear in writing?
- The scope of work, budget, who appoints contractors and how changes are approved.
- Who is responsible for insurance, access, occupation and ongoing property costs.
- The marketing arrangements and how pricing and offers will be considered.
- All fees, repayment of funded costs and how any additional proceeds are calculated and divided.
- What happens if costs rise, the sale price is lower than expected or no sale completes.
- How the arrangement can end and what obligations or costs would remain.
Take independent legal advice on the agreement before signing. Where relevant, obtain independent financial advice and check any lender consent or other permissions that may be required.
How the sale and settlement can work
Once a buyer is found, the sale follows the applicable conveyancing process. At completion, mortgage redemption and other sums due on the sale need to be dealt with. Agreed improvement costs, fees and the agreed division of proceeds are then settled according to the written agreement and the completion arrangements.
You should receive a clear explanation of the proposed settlement, with the assumptions and deductions shown. We do not use a universal percentage or promise a minimum amount: the arrangement must be agreed for your circumstances.
Understand the risks as well as the possibilities
- The property may sell for less than expected, or may not sell.
- Works and marketing can take longer or cost more than initially estimated.
- The final price increase may not cover the works, fees and other costs.
- Mortgage interest, insurance and other ownership costs may continue while the property is being prepared and sold.
- Your net proceeds could be lower than an alternative sale route.
There is no guaranteed selling price, profit, uplift, sale or completion date. Only proceed when you understand the written terms and the possible outcomes.
From first assessment to completion
01 · Property Assessment
We look at your property, its condition, approximate value and your circumstances. We listen to what matters to you, including your selling timescale.
02 · Proposed Solution
If an Assisted Sale appears suitable, we explain the improvements, presentation or marketing that could help, along with estimated costs and the uncertainties involved.
03 · Written Agreement
Before proceeding, proposed expenditure, responsibilities, repayment of costs and the division of any additional proceeds are agreed with you in writing.
04 · Improvements & Marketing
Agreed works can be arranged and the property prepared and marketed for sale, in line with the written agreement.
05 · Property Sale & Settlement
When the sale completes, agreed costs and the financial settlement are dealt with according to the written agreement.
Find out what could work for your property
Tell us a little about your home and your situation. We can assess whether an Assisted Sale or another approach may be suitable.