If you want to sell your home, you are probably getting the idea that it is a complicated process. But, with the right approach it can be smooth and rewarding. In this guide we will explore the various selling routes in the UK, their pros and cons, and ultimately help you decide which method best suits your needs.
We’ll delve into traditional and modern estate agents, online options like auctions and cash buyers, and even selling directly to developers. We will also provide valuable tips on preparing your home for sale, making a great first impression and maximising your online exposure.
Whether you prioritise speed, convenience or getting the highest possible price, this guide equips you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. As The Property Selling Company, we’ll also explain our unique approach that combines online efficiency with a focus on maximising your profit.
Selling your house always used to be done through your local estate agent. The process is lengthy and costly and can take up to 3 months. But with the rise of the internet, a change in market trends and the ways homebuyers behaved, how to sell your house has shifted. And so have the companies that host this service.
Nowadays, to sell your house, you can do it on your own terms, budget and goals. By selling your house with us, you will be kept in the loop at all times as we go above and beyond to get your property sold – it really shouldn’t be complicated.
We believe in providing a ‘Fast. Effortless. Free’ service for all our customers. We make the selling process as hassle free and effortless as possible. Wherever your house is in the United Kingdom, we will sell it for you. And as a special thank you, you will not have to cover any fees at all.
We’re different to the traditional estate agent, with our honest and transparent customer service, completely effortless and free. We are an online, modern estate agent with the goal of making your time with us as effortless as possible. We like to say that we are confident in our ability to sell your home in 28 days because we advertise on Rightmove and Zoopla, which is used by 98% of potential buyers. Not only that, but there are no hidden fees, and we will even cover any legal fees – so you don’t have to worry about paying a penny.
You will benefit from our honest and transparent customer service. We are proud members of the National Association of Property Buyers & The Property Ombudsman, which means we have to follow their code of conduct and regulations.
In order to sell your home in the UK, there are a few different avenues for sale, each with it’s own pros and cons. In this section we will cover the main routes to sell your home, and how each may benefit you.
Traditional estate agents offer a full selling house service, from property valuations to marketing and viewings. They charge a commission from the final selling price of the property which usually sits at around 1% – 3% +VAT. Traditional estate agents can be ideal if you prefer a hands-off approach and want an experienced professional guiding you.
Online estate agents on the other hand offer a cheaper alternative with fixed upfront fees. Services can vary, so choose one with viewings included if needed. Online estate agents can be ideal if you’re comfortable handling some aspects yourself and want to save money.
Modern estate agents act as the in-between. We would count ourselves as a modern estate agent, as we operate online but have regional managers who can visit the property and we cover all the costs associated with selling a property – although this isn’t true for all modern estate agents!
Property auctions are suitable for a quick sale or unique properties. The environment of a property auction can lead to higher prices but there’s no guarantee and fees can be high. Only consider a property auction if speed to sale is your priority.
These are an online platform where someone can bid on a property in real time, without having to leave the comfort of their home.
This is one of the faster methods of selling online but the auction house or seller may impose high fees for using their platform & there is no promise that the house will be sold for the headline sale price.
Private sales will allow you to save on fees but is a much more hands on approach in comparison to selling your home with an estate agent. Private house sales requires significant effort with marketing, viewings, and negotiation. But, private house sales can be ideal if you know potential buyers in your area & have the time to dedicate to the sale.
Cash house buyers offer a quick sale but often at below-market value. They can be great for people in financial difficulties as it allows you to access funds on a very fast timescale, often just over 7 days.
But, they will buy your house for below market value in a trade-off for the fast selling time, so if you can hold off a couple more weeks, we can sell your house in as little as 28 days.
These companies are able to buy your property outright and do not need to sell any property or take out a mortgage. They will offer to buy your house 10-25% below the market price.
Probably one of the less common ways to sell your home, selling via a developer could potentially be extremely beneficial, depending on your situation. Selling your home via a developer could be ideal if you’re buying new and want to avoid property chains.
You could sell your home as a part exchange for a new build property, which is convenient but you should ensure that you get an independent valuation of the new build to ensure a fair deal.
If you are purchasing a new build property, the developer may offer you the option to sell your existing home quickly through a part exchange scheme.
They will value your property and will offer you around 65-70% of the property market value.
Sell your house at auction
In order to get your home ready for sale, you will need to prepare your home for sale by creating a welcoming atmosphere that highlights its best features. Potential buyers should feel a sense of possibility when they walk through your front door.
If you are selling your home via an estate agent, property auction or private sale, you should make sure that the following steps are also carried out before any professional photography takes place.
Most of those house selling routes should cover the professional photography for you, in order to showcase your home’s strengths and attract more buyers.
When it comes to decluttering your home, remove unnecessary items, furniture, and personal belongings. Potential buyers want to envision their own lives in the space, not yours. Pack away family photos, collections and other personal touches.
You will want to organise any clothing closets, cabinets and drawers to showcase ample storage space. Consider renting a storage unit for items you don’t need immediately.
This goes without saying, but you should carry out a deep clean throughout the property. Give your entire home a thorough cleaning, focusing on bathrooms and kitchens as these are the most important rooms for potential buyers.
You should ensure that all mould is eliminated, surfaces are clean and there aren’t any foul smells lingering in any rooms.
Finally, when you are decluttering your home for sale, you should make sure that you have your own family’s privacy at the forefront of your mind. Ensure there are no personal documents, family photos or anything revealing sensitive information as you can never be sure the true nature of potential buyers.
In order to make a lasting first impression for any potential buyer, you will want to ensure your front garden is well kept, any grass areas are trimmed, edges are neat and weeds are removed. You may want to consider adding a pop of colour with potted plants if necessary, as well as maintaining a clean and inviting entrance.
Furthermore, once your potential buyers enter the property, you want them to feel calm. This can be achieved by maximising natural light within the property by opening blinds and curtains during viewings. Make sure all windows are clean for optimal light penetration.
You may also consider using strategically placed mirrors to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness.
While previously on this page we have tackled all the common routes to selling your home, there are a few options which can be carried out online, including online estate agents, modern estate agents, online auctions and cash house buyers.
We would argue that the best way to sell your home online is through a modern estate agent like us, but we’ll get onto that in a minute.
Online estate agents are cost-effective compared to traditional estate agents, as they manage the process solely online at your convenience, and can reach a wider audience through online property portals like Rightmove & Zoopla.
But, online estate agents may offer a less personalised service compared to traditional or even modern estate agents and the success of sale will rely on how effective your handling of the process has been.
Online property auctions are great for unique properties like houses in need of renovations, or non-standard construction properties. They can also be a great place to sell in high demand areas, leading to faster sales and greater sense of security for vendors.
But, the selling price can be unpredictable, with some properties not selling at all on online auctions, while other properties that shouldn’t sell well, selling well. Online auctions require you to set a realistic reserve price to ensure your property is priced correctly.
Cash house buying companies almost always operate online, and are the fastest route to sale out of all the online options. They are advantageous as they avoid viewings, property chains and eliminate the uncertainty about the selling price.
But, cash house buying companies offer below market value for properties in compensation for the speed of sale, and you will have far less control over the selling process.
Modern estate agents are also known as hybrid estate agents and combine the online efficiency with personalised service of the traditional estate agents. They can sell your property through various digital marketing avenues, and provide expert support, negotiation skills and get you better deals.
They will conduct the same form of service but without all the physical face to face meetings. They will conduct an initial valuation before listing your property on a property portal.
But, they will charge either a flat fee of £100 – £1000 or take a commission of between 1% and 3%+VAT of the selling price of your property.
Selling your home can be a stressful and expensive process. Between estate agent fees, legal costs and marketing expenses, the upfront financial burden can be significant. Additionally, navigating the selling process and achieving the best possible price can be challenging.
This is where we, The Property Selling Company, come in. We offer a unique and potentially lucrative solution to selling your home online.
We are an online estate agent that operates completely online and on the phone. We will conduct the same form of service as your standard estate agent but go above and beyond to ensure that you are happy with our service and sale of your house. We offer no fees and no obligations.
Unlike other online or modern estate agents, we won’t charge any upfront fees. You won’t pay anything for estate agent fees, legal costs or marketing expenses. This eliminates a major hurdle associated with selling your property.
We work with you to agree on a selling price that’s above market value. This means you have the potential to get more money for your home compared to traditional methods. But, here’s the twist: our profit is directly tied to exceeding that agreed price.
If we can sell your home for more than the set price, then we will take the remaining balance as our profit. This means that we work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for you, as otherwise we’d be out of business!
We specialise in online sales channels like Rightmove, Zoopla, and can reach a wide audience of potential buyers. Our broader exposure can increase the chances of finding the right buyer willing to pay top money for your property.
In essence, we take on the upfront financial risk associated with selling your home. We only profit if we achieve a sale that benefits you too.
Make sure that before you go through the selling process, you can actually afford to sell and move.
Also check if you are still within your existing mortgage term, you should check to see if there will be any early repayment penalties for breaking the deal or any fees for porting to a new property.
Like your finances, ensuring that you have your documents sorted before you sell will save you time later in the process, especially when you are dealing with your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor.
Here are some documents you need to sell your home:
Make sure your home is clean, neat, and clutter-free. This provides potential purchasers with a blank canvas on which to envisage how they will use the space.
If your home is a little worn out, you may want to consider undertaking some home renovations, such as:
Want to sell your home? Curious about its current market value? An online home valuation tool can be a great starting point. In this section we will cover how you get an online home valuation.
It’s quick and easy to get a first idea of your home’s worth. You can enter your property details into popular property portals for an instant home valuation. This means you can get access to Zoopla and Rightmove property valuations for free.
These tools use sata from sources like the Land Registry, along with property details you provide, to generate an estimated market value.
Alternatively, you can enter your property details into our website and we will look at comparable properties in your area to create an instant online home valuation.
With our service, you can get a free, no-obligation online home valuation.
If you’re curious about your home’s current market value, then our quick and easy online valuation tool provides an instant estimate to get you started. There’s no pressure to sell – it’s completely free and comes with no obligation.
Here’s how it works:
Enter your property details for a hassle-free online valuation.
Get an almost instant estimate of your home’s market value.
If you’re interested in exploring selling your home, we can connect you with one of our Regional Managers. They can visit your property to confirm the online valuation and discuss your selling options in more detail. There’s absolutely no obligation to proceed if the estimated value doesn’t meet your expectations.
We understand that selling your home is a big decision. Our online home valuation tool is here to empower you with knowledge and help you make informed choices. Whether you choose to sell with us or not, we’re here to assist you in your housing journey.
We are an online, modern estate agent, and although we do want your business, we want to ensure that we are the right fit for you. We are more than just a ‘sell a house’ company, we value our relationship with you. Before joining our process, you need to work out what’s more important to you, money or speed.
When you use an online estate agent like us, we will work with you and the market to sell your house within a 28 day period. Although this is quick in terms of estate agent timescales, there are faster methods to market like cash buying services. However, you will be receiving asking prices 10-25% below the market value.
At The Property Selling Company, we understand that everyone’s situation is unique, as is their home. What your neighbour receives on a sale may not be the same as what you will receive, so it is critical that we collaborate with you to achieve the best possible result.
By selling through us, you will save on estate agents fees & legal costs, who normally take a commission of between 1% and 3%+VAT of the selling price. We will never over-value your property, and always give you an honest starting price. Please see the table below for a comparison between selling through us and using a conventional estate agent.
| Selling Through Us | Selling Through An Estate Agent |
|---|---|
| First Advertised Price £90,000 | First Advertised Price £100,000 |
| Second Advertised Price £90,000 | Second Advertised Price £90,000 |
| Sold For £90,000 | Sold For £85,000 |
| Fees £0 | Estate Agents Fees (2%) -£1700 |
| Total Amount Made £90,000 | Total Amount Made £83,300 |
By selling through The Property Selling Company you will be saving up to £6,700 in comparison to selling through an estate agent.
One of the number one reasons why people decide to sell their house is because they are either downsizing or upsizing. Be it because the children have all left home, or you have new ones on the way.
Other reasons why someone may be looking to sell their house are because they have recently undertaken financial challenges, they have changes in employment or family.
You should ensure that the process of selling a house is as efficient as possible because you may miss out on your dream home. Sellers will also take your offer seriously and avoid rushing to sell and having to accept a lower offer instead.
The best time to sell your house is during Spring, with March being the best month. We can sell your house all year around but Spring is when the market is most active — it may result in a quicker sale for you.
If we can’t find any potential buyers for your property after the 28 days are up, then you can leave our arrangement with no fees, which means you are able to try another route to sell like a standard estate agency or quick cash buying company.
Once you accept an offer, your conveyancer will instruct their solicitor or conveyancer to do the exchange of contracts. This is a legally binding process where you will have a completion day set in stone and then on completion day you will receive the money.
© 2022 The Property Selling Company
0800 111 4118
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4 Deighton Close, Wetherby, LS22 7GZ
© 2022 The Property Selling Company
The Property Selling Company is part of The Property Buying Company Limited (Registration No. 08023018) is incorporated in England and Wales. Registered office: 4 Deighton Cl, Wetherby LS22 7GZ
