Valuations on house

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We want to sell a house and buy a new one. We've never done anything like this before but after researching I've gathered the first thing to do is get the property valued.

While looking up how to get a house valued, a lot of thing said to ring a couple of estate agents and they'd come and do it for free. Is this a reliable way to get a house valued?

It says obligation free on some of the website. Is this as obligation free as they're saying it is or will we get a lot of hard sells and pressured into using them?

Also, when we find an estate agent to sell the house is it a good idea to use more than one estate agent or am I being ridiculous?

Sorry I sound like such a novice. I'm researching loads and don't know if I'm just over thinking things or making things unnecessarily complicated!

It will be obligation free though each estate agent will try and persuade you they are the best! It's normal to get several agents round so they know you won't necessarily use them. Watch out for the small print as some tie you into fees even if you change agents later. They will generally want to be the sole agent. I've just had a house valued by 2 agents who gave wildly differing values and to be honest I don't think either of them is accurate. I'm about to post about it!

Thanks at @StinkyDora that's mad how they've given you two different amounts cos surely there has to be some logic to it! I read somewhere to get three in and take the average of that helps.

Thank you about telling me they can tie you down with fees. Im so paranoid about estate agents. I feel like they're sharks!

There is some logic to it. A good agent will have done the research, checked comps/how good the market is etc.

Get three round and see what they say, remember to also consider fees some are more negotiable than others though dirt cheap agents are often really terrible.

Check out their reviews on all agents

Avoid purple bricks/Yopa/housimple

My friend sold with doorsteps.co.uk Online estate agent with good reviews. I would say get some local agents round too. The more people you talk to the more you will on will know.

Speak to neighbours and friends in the area and see if they recommend anyone. A good EA isn't just about lower fees and selling - its the aftercare too. You need someone who will help you through the process after an offer has been accepted - that's the worst bit!

You would also be sensible to research conveyancing solicitors so you have someone lined up for when an offer is accepted.

If you can, get 3 agents to value the house and go with the average, not highest. When they come round to value it, grill them - ask things like "Why should I choose you over x EA" and "how soon after a viewing do you contact the viewer". Ask them what improvements they could suggest to your house - leave a couple of 'traps' around and see if they pick them up. If the agent says "oh no its fine as it is" then (in my experience!) they aren't very good.

I would also look at the market. How much are similar properties on for. And how much have recent sales been

Put your post code into Rightmove / Zoopla look at similar houses and look at sold prices.

Get at least 3 agents round. We went for a figure above the middle. But we also had a figure in mind to what ours was worth based on the above.

And agree the estate agent we choose was good in some respects but awful in others and wouldn’t use them again or recommend them.

Sorry for the late response. Thank you you guys have given me loads to think about. We have a rough idea how much the house is worth as we've looked at local prices and considered all the work that's been done to it etc.
I've been looking up reviews of local estate agents and just need to talk to dh to finalised three we think seem ok.

@lastqueenofscotland is there a reason online estate agents are no good?