What to Expect at a Valuation Appointment

If you are unsure of what to expect at a valuation appointment with an estate agent hopefully this guide and 5 minutes of your time will let you know what to expect and help you choose the right estate agent for you.

If you are unsure of what to expect at a valuation appointment with an estate agent hopefully this guide and 5 minutes of your time will let you know what to expect and help you choose the right estate agent for you.

Your valuation appointment is about getting to know the estate agent and what they offer as much as it is about finding out what price your property is worth, so be prepared with a list of questions can be a good idea.

I’ve been asked questions like: How many houses did we sell last week? When did we last sell a similar house? Have you sold properties on this road? How many? Where did I go to school? And many more. All meaningful questions, but there isn’t a setlist I could recommend, you simply need to ask whatever questions feel right for you.

Don’t worry about trying to make your house a show home just yet

Good estate agents can see past a little bit of clutter or those small jobs you need to finish before putting the house on the market. They would much rather your house is looking show home standard for the photos, not the valuation. Most agents don’t take photographs at the valuation appointment so those small jobs can wait a few days, and if you are contemplating a quick decorating job, why not ask the agent's opinion. We often get asked questions like: “Should we re-carpet or not?” And your agent is expertly placed to give you advice, they should know what demand is like for your type of property in the area and be able to offer some tips about what you can do to get the most money for your home.

Block an hour out of your diary

A valuation appointment will normally last about an hour, give or take, but make sure you are able to give your full attention for the hour, don’t squeeze it into your lunch hour and be trying to make a sandwich and show the agent around. You are trying to sell your biggest asset and it is more than worth a little bit of time investment to get to know your agent.

Yes, the valuation is important

Probably the most important part of the visit is getting the marketing price figure right. You might have an idea what your house is worth, but 5 or 10 thousand can make a huge difference. The agent should provide recent sold prices as well as current properties that are for sale in your area to quantify the figure they believe your house should be marketed at. The agent should also tell you the price to market the property at and the price they expect you to receive. Be warned, it is not an exact science; a property is worth what someone is willing to pay for it so the estate agent is there to give you professional advice, which is why the agent needs to know the local market. You want an agent who knows what it takes to sell a similar house in your area and even your road if possible.

At MovingWorks we work with local Property Partners who really know their areas, and who can demonstrate knowledge of the local property market. Valuing a property accurately can be the difference between getting a figure close to your asking price or having to reduce your price and accepting thousands less than you originally anticipated.

Other useful information

The agent will also discuss their marketing strategy and what most people want to know: THE FEE! Remember the cheapest isn’t always the best but you need to be comfortable that the agent you employ is capable of getting you the best possible return for your property.

The agent might also go through expected moving costs, and timescales and help provide any tips on what you can do to improve the marketability of your property.

I hope this guide has proved useful click here to Book a FREE valuation to sell your home online today

Mark Worrall – Director