How to sell your house without an estate agent

As anyone who has ever sold a home can testify, the house-selling process for can become ridiculously stressful thanks to the endless viewing schedule, the need to keep your home in showroom condition, and the need to constantly chase your estate agent for updates. But why do we become so dependent on estate agents?

In essence, estate agencies are the traditional way to sell – and many people do not want to take the risk of marketing their home themselves due to the risk of making errors. Agents have, over the decades, made themselves indispensable to many thanks to their local knowledge and ability to set asking prices at levels that are deemed acceptable by prospective buyers.

In the digital age, however, surely the process of a private house sale should be easier than in the past?

For those who are looking at selling their home without an agent, a basic knowledge of the way the property industry works is essential. It is also worth pointing out that, that while you will save on agency fees, you will still have to shell out for conveyancing and/or solicitor fees to complete on the sale.

The majority of individuals who try to sell their homes with no estate agent will have to learn the intricacies of online property portals, and also learn how to market their home via social media – and this means having good quality pictures that potential buyers can enjoy. Estate agents usually include the cost of photos in their agreed service fee.

Often, these people find the process more than a little time consuming, and the loss of a work/life balance and increase in stress levels can easily make the agency fee look comparatively reasonable. Luckily there are other ways to sell your house without an estate agent.

For some, property auctions offer a certain appeal thanks to the speed with which the sale occurs. However, those who choose this route often find that it is the ‘quirkier’ homes that fare well in an auction, whereas ‘standard’ semi-detached or terraced homes tend to go under the hammer for much less than the vendor was hoping for. It is also important to remember that a vendor is liable for the auctioneer fees whether or not the property sells.

Interestingly, a growing trend amongst those looking to sell their house privately without an estate agent involves the use of house-buying companies.

These companies specialise in purchasing homes outright for competitive fees, which is perfect for those who are hoping for a fast sale so that they can use the capital in other ways. This approach also allows the seller to save on fees, safe in the knowledge that the company will buy the property regardless of location or situation, often in as little as two weeks from first point of contact.

In today’s fast-moving society, the more tech-savvy are always going to find new and interesting ways to market a home, despite the traditions associated with estate agents. But it is always encouraging to see more options being made available to a vendor if they find that they need to sell their home.

Are you looking to sell your home with an estate agent? Why not ask National Homebuyers for advice, as we buy any house. Call 08000 443 911 or request a call back to find out how much you could get for your property before it’s too late.