Using an estate agent is the most popular way to sell a property in the UK, however, it can be very costly. Let’s get started on how to sell your house without an estate agent.
Estate agency fees can differ vastly, with some charging as little as 1% + VAT of the selling price, whilst others charging a whopping 3.5% + VAT. Although the estate agent will do all of the work for you: create the marketing, list on Rightmove, schedule viewings etc – it is still possible to sell your house without an Estate Agent.
Estate agency fees can differ vastly, with some charging as little as 1% + VAT of the selling price, whilst others charging a whopping 3.5% + VAT. Although the estate agent will do all of the work for you: create the marketing, list on Rightmove, schedule viewings etc – it is still possible to sell your house without an Estate Agent.
Want to know how? We are here to guide you through the process of selling your house without an Estate Agent.
Make your House Desirable
Try and get your house looking like something that other people will want to live in. Clean up the rooms, give the walls a fresh lick of paint and try and increase curb appeal by tidying up the front garden. This is going to help create the best first impressions for when you do start showing potential buyers around your property.
Set a Price for Your House
There are several different ways to value your property. You could check out our blog on how to work out the value of your house or you could call a few local estate agents who know the area well to get a free valuation. Remember to do your research and ensure you are pricing your house right for the area to ensure a quick sale. When you see that a house has been on the market for longer than a few months it’s usually because the seller is asking too much for it.
Take Some Great Photos
Now it’s time to take some beautiful photos of your house. If you don’t do your property justice in these photos, there’s a lower chance of catching a potential buyers attention and selling your house. It might even be best to hire a local photographer to take these photos for you, however, if you are feeling up to the challenge, you can do a decent enough job just by using your smartphone and some basic editing software.
List Your House on Several Different Platforms.
Next is the task of listing your house on different platforms. You could use ‘for sale’ websites specifically with property categories, such as The House Shop or Gumtree, and you can even advertise your house on the Facebook Marketplace and other social media platforms. The more places that you have your place advertised, the more people you will get interest from. This can result in a quicker house sale.
Arrange Viewings for your House
Normally, an estate agent will show potential buyers around your house. Without an estate agent, you will have to do this yourself or enlist the help of family and friends. Always ensure that, if possible, you have someone with you when showing a stranger around your house for your safety reasons. It’s also important to have quick tidy up before showing round a potential buyer.
Accepting an Offer and Instructing a Solicitor
Once you’re happy with an offer and have agreed to it verbally, it’s then time to instruct your solicitor to begin the legal transfer of ownership. Until you’ve exchanged contracts with the buyer (which can take a couple of months to get to that point), the offer from the buyer is not legally binding and they can pull out of the purchase at any point.
Are There Any Other Options?
Whilst it is possible to sell your house privately without using an estate agent, there are some benefits that using estate agents can provide. An estate agent will do everything for you, from marketing the property to seeing the process through to completion. However, if you need to sell by a specific deadline then an estate agent may not be the best option as this process can take months or even years to sell your house.
Summary: How to Sell Your House Without An Estate Agent
For a faster sale then it may be worth speaking to Norwich Home Buyers about the options available to sellers who wants a quicker, easier sale.
Norwich Home Buyers can talk you through all of the different options available to you and your personal situation. Give us a call today on 01603 851837 for a friendly, no obligation chat.
For more interesting reads, check out our Norwich Property News section.