There are many ways, which will give you a reasonably accurate valuation.
The easiest and cheapest method is to visit http://www.ourproperty.co.uk/?ref=godfrey you can obtain the actual “Sold Price” for any property in England and Wales. This data is provided by The Land Registry. This information was once expensive and Estate Agents guarded this source of knowledge fiercely. Well now you can use this information in both the buying and selling cycle. You will now know exactly what the last four or five houses similar to your property actually sold for and not the price Estate Agents quoted on their sale details. Also if you are buying another property, you will know how much that property was originally bought for and when. It is a very user-friendly site, which allows you to bypass the Estate Agents Oracle of knowledge for which they charged the seller an unjustified amount of money in commission.
Another way Estate Agents value properties is to compare the last 4 properties sold with 4 properties of similar standing as yours which are currently on sale within your area, you will be as accurate as any Estate Agent. This is known as “ A Comparison to Pric
Ask any neighbours who have moved into your street recently what price they paid?
You could be cheeky and contact a local Estate Agent for a free valuation, bearing in mind they will price your property with the main intention of gaining your business, if after two months your property has failed to sell, they will advise that you reduce to a more saleable price, all that has happened is you are offering your property at a more saleable price and have lost two months of time and your property is still unsold. If you choose this means it would be prudent to ask the Estate Agent the price they will charge you to act on your behalf. It may come as a shock, when you are aware of a more cost effective alternative, namely Godfrey & Godfrey.
Unless the Estate Agent is a qualified Surveyor, you will merely be receiving a suggestion as to valuation and not an official valuation as may be portrayed by the Agent.
Visit your local Estate Agents and look at similar properties that are advertised for sale and set your value accordingly.
Check your local Newspaper property pages, they are reasonably informative.
We have included 3 links to property valuation sites, The Land Registry, Up My Street and BBC/House prices, available on the links tab.
You could engage a Chartered Surveyor to value your property, this will cost approximately £85.00 plus vat for a homebuyers report, we have included a list of local Chartered Surveyors on the links tab.
When a property is for sale, the seller takes into account the costs involved in the sale and adds it to their price, as you will be saving the extortionate Estate Agents fees, you are in a better position to price more effectively thereby obtaining a quicker sale.
A final means of selling is by public auction, where the public determines the price of your property.
If your property is presented at a fair price, you will receive a fair offer eventually. Over pricing your property to test the water is not recommended and relies on a prospective buyer in need of a quick purchase to come along, We assure you, they are very few and far between.
We hope there is sufficient information included above to assist in you valuation. Please feel free to call us, if you require further assistance.