How does this house selling malarky work?

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

We are looking to move this year but I don't really know how to get the ball rolling.

Do we contact EAs for a valuation before talking to mortgage company?
How many valuations is usual and are they generally free?
Do we need a financial advisor to search for a mortgage deal for us?
What should we expect from EAs?

Thanks!

You can have as many valuations as you want, they will probably vary a fair bit and they will charge different commissions and tie you in for different periods so it's good to find one to suit you.

Most estate agents will want you to have a 'decision in principle' and an offer on your own property before you can offer on a property.

You can search online for the best deal or go through a broker, they normally charge for this but will do a lot of the leg work for you.

As to what to expect from an estate agent, expect to take anything they say with a pich if salt

Also, meant to say that some agents will over value a property to get you on their books, others will under value to get a quick sale, so best to do your own research to find out what you think your property is worth! You shouldn't need to pay for this service.

Unless you enjoy receiving calls from smarmy talking idiots weekly, I would avoid actually getting EAs round for valuations until you're ready to put your house on the market.

Have a look on Zoopla etc and see what properties around are going for to get an idea for the moment.

I googled and found this comprehensive selling guide on Right Move.

Thanks all! I'll have a good read of that Mintyy.