Selling Your House Fast Without An Estate Agent: The Ultimate Guide

It is no secret that selling a property using a traditional estate agent is a time consuming and often stressful route. This is why more and more homeowners are deciding to sell their house without an estate agent.

If this is a route which you are considering, then you have come to the right place. We are going to take a closer look at selling your house fast without an estate agent – so you can make an informed decision. 

The benefits of selling your house privately

The major benefit of selling your house privately is that it saves you time. Traditional estate agents can take six months to sell your home, and a chain can make this all the more difficult. Selling your home privately gives you 100% control. 

Selling your home privately also saves you money. The expensive estate agent fees can be around 2% of the property sale upon completion, which not every seller wants to part with. Some of the money involved goes towards marketing with photos and viewings, and these are easy to arrange yourself. 

Communication is another benefit, as there is no middle man to worry about. Every conversation is direct between you, the vendors and potential buyers, so nothing is reworded and you can speak your mind. You get to make your own decisions when selling your house privately. 

What’s involved in selling your house privately?

Get your property ready for sale

First impressions are important when selling a house, privately or not. A complete renovation might be out of your budget or you wish to sell sooner, but a few handy tips can go a long way here. Start by maximising the curb appeal of your property. This means the exterior needs to be looking its best. A lick of paint for the front or garage door, tidying up the front garden, and storing the bins out of sight is a good start. 

Declutter to make each room look bigger and have a deep clean. This means carpets and all surfaces, even walls and windows. Get rid of those bold colours and go neutral, it will help potential buyers picture themselves in your property which, let’s face it, is the end game. Make any minor repairs where you can. A cracked tile, broken lightbulb or stain on a carpet can be enough to put potential buyers off. 

Decide on the right asking price

You can gain similar market knowledge to an agent with some research, but it can be a daunting task to set the asking price for your property. Still, most estate agents offer a free house valuation so you can get a couple of agents to value yours for free. 

Check local websites for similar properties in your area that have sold for similar prices and consider the age, number of bedrooms, condition, location, extra features, size of your garden, and parking when setting a price.

Get an Energy Performance Certificate

An essential part of any home sale, an EPC must be carried out by an accredited professional. It is a summary of the energy performance of your home, and potential buyers need to make an informed decision so they know the running costs of the property they are interested in.

As we mentioned, a professional is required. This means you must contact a domestic energy assessor in your area who will provide a certificate based on their findings. 

Advertise your home

Once you have decided on the asking price and given your house a clean, it is time to take some images and advertise. It can be a good idea to hire a professional photographer to get high-resolution images that attract potential buyers, but whatever approach you use, next up is listing.

List your property on online property websites, local newspapers, social media, and even put a ‘for-sale’ sign outside. Include a floor plan and all the finer details and selling points of your property. 

Host viewings

A friendly approach is required here as people aren’t just buying the property, they are buying the experience during viewing. Make sure each room has a designated purpose – so there are no storage rooms.

Remain friendly and professional when selling yourself. Try not to rush and be positive about each room, the features, and the area, and talk about the key selling points – for example, the good schools close by if a family is coming to look at your home. 

Negotiate with interested parties

An estate agent will usually negotiate the price, so you need to do this too. Set a fair price but stand your ground and know your minimum figure before you start negotiating. 

Turn down any undesirable offers politely as this can encourage second, potentially higher offers. When you do get a tempting offer, verbally accept and then follow up with confirmation via email or the post. Remember that there is no legal obligation until the exchanging of contracts, but a written acceptance will make conveyancing easier. 

Next up, instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to work on the legal documentation.

Is selling your house privately right for you?

Selling a house privately can work extremely well for some people. If the market is thriving or if you know of existing interest in your property, the process can work. However, it can be time-consuming with no one working on your behalf, as you are responsible for following up on every stage.

It’s not for everyone as it can be stressful, but there are other alternatives. 

Alternatives to selling your home privately

If you do not want to sell your house privately, then you may find your best option to be selling your house through a cash buyer like WeBuyAnyHome. We are an accredited organisation who are able to transfer you the cash for your house sale within 7 days. 

Property auctions are another option, but these come with the risk of not getting the price you want, and can unfortunately be time-consuming.

Sell your house quickly with WeBuyAnyHome

WeBuyAnyHome are a cash house buyer that offers a convenient, quick way to sell your property fast. We sell your property quickly in any timeframe – and can complete the sale within 7 days in many occasions. No fees, no hassles and no delays.

You can trust us with a smooth and quick sale of your property.

Want to know how it works? Get a free, no obligation cash offer from us now by entering your postcode in the box below.