House valuation/ on the market

[CalmFawn]

Hi everyone!

We are having our house valued and hopefully put on the market this week!

Any tips/ advice?

thanks!

Get three valuations and compare details of their fees and marketing strategies - check out other listings they have locally , if they have been reduced etc then you know they are high valuers to get the business

Don't be reeled in by highest price or glossy literature

Definitely get more than one valuation and have a look at which agents have sold houses similar to yours in the area already. The highest price doesn't always mean the most accurate. Be aware some agents suggest a higher price to get you in knowing you will have to drop the price later.

For the listing, declutter as much as you can, make sure it's nice and clean and well presented.

Do not, under any circumstances engage the solicitor/ conveyancer recommended by the agent. There’s financial reward for them, nothing for you. In particular, avoid any online company. Choose a local firm every time.

Otherwise, what everyone else has said.

Agree with this. It takes a bit more time but worth looking into, and when the agents come round with their comparables and tell you what things sold for, ask what they were initially on for and how quickly they got an offer.

Look at the prices of sold properties in the local market, this will give you a view of the price points - don't be tempted to go for the highest valuation as you can waste time getting no viewings. July/August - holiday season - this may impact number of viewings.

You’re better to go for a lower price and get enthusiastic bids than go too high and low viewings

First off, how motivated to sell are you, or are you looking to maximise price regardless of time on market?

Assuming you really want to sell then tell the EA's to value the home to sell within 8 weeks. Tell the EA that you won't agree to any contract that locks you in for more than 8 weeks. Expect to pay a higher fee for this sort of service. An extra half a percent is nothing to get your home sold quickly and efficiently.

Ask the EA to show their TwentyEA stats (see the latter section of any UK Property Market Stats show on YT. It shows how well each local EA does in terms of selling the home and getting the most for it). There is a free service you can look at (see my thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/property/4935470-tools-for-house-buyers?page=2 for Kiev's post)

With these caveats I'd be quite comfortable even going for the EA who values the home highest.