We had the house valued this spring, and friend is willing to pay the valuation price. She is keen on the house, so we thought we might as well not use an agent and not put it on the open market, seeing as she is keen.
We were thinking of getting a solicitor to do the conveyancing / sale to ensure everything is done properly. Take a 25% cash deposit from friend, and let her move in prior to completion. (she first suggested we swap houses till hers is sold - she is pregnant and naturally keen to settle asap) We are keen on porting our current mortgage and buy a smaller flat, and this needs to tie in with completion on both properties falling within a 30 day period.
She is putting her house on the market, wants to paint to get better offers, and she therefore wants access to both properties so she can repaint hers and put a new kitchen in mine, and she wants me to come with her to the notary to sign her up as co owner for our house, in exchange of her deposit.
To be honest, on hearing this I just think it easier for us to take our chances and just put in on the market and follow the normal process. It has gone from us making it easy for her due to pregnancy, and she wanting ownership of our house in exchange of paying deposit, and us totally out of the way.
At the same time I wanted to sell to her because she is a friend, and I did not want the hassle of having it on the market, but this sounds like much more hassle than it is worth.