First Time Seller Advice please

[Pandy12]

Hi
I an wondering if anyone can help. I own a 3 semi detached house in Lancashire which i bought in 1996 for a very reasonable price and have a small mortgage. I am currently living in the house although really want to move away and as my contract for my work finishes in November and I really want to move back down south. I am currently doing my house up on a budget with the hope of selling it ie fresh coat of paint, regrouting tiles etc. It was valued at approx £130 K about 3 and a half years ago by a local estate agent who is the same one currently trying to sell my neighbours house for £129K (his has the potential for an extra 3 bedrooms). My neighbour tells me that they have have had no offers and no viewers and he has just reduced it by 5K.

I have never sold a house before as this is the only one that I have bought and I am not looking to buy another immediately. One thing i need to check is that back in 96 I had an attic conversion done by my stepfather, who I am no longer in contact with, who was a builder at the time although I just trusted him and his knowledge and did not check building regulations myself. The third bedroom, a box room has the stairs going up to the conversion, (its too small to be used as a bedroom now) and the last step up of the carpeted set of stairs is just half a step. The conversion has been boxed out with plywood and two years ago I insulated it too. I have been advised that I need planners from the council to look at the conversion. The estate agent told me when I had it valued that I could put it on the market as a 2 bed house instead but this would I can imagine bring the price down more again. Does anyone know about what they may advice I have been told that the building reg rules were very different back in 96 compared to what they are now. Can anyone also advise about how much it will cost for me to get a HIP, what is the best way about it and also any tips on selling etc.

If i am unable to sell the house I will have to look at renting it to avoid it being left empty but an concerned about this stair issue and about health and safety.
Selling is a whole new ball game for me so any advice would be useful.
Many thanks
Pandy

[investment]

hold on now is not the time to sell

[sale_boards]

If you're still thinking of selling, it is predicted that in about 6 wks, there will be a load more repossessions on the market (search for Reposession 6 months) which will make it harder to sell.