VALUATIONS
LOCATION
PROPERTY
EXPECTATIONS
What happens during a valuation?
When your estate agent values your property, they won’t just look at how many bedrooms you have and which street the property is on. Those are great places to start, but a truly accurate valuation takes dozens of other things into account, from the small features buyers will love to the age of your central heating system. Combined with years of first-hand experience, recent sold house prices, and in-depth market knowledge, these will help your agent give you the best valuation possible.
WHERE DOES THE JOURNEY START?
When your estate agent values your property, they won’t just look at how many bedrooms you have and which street the property is located. Those are great places to start, but a truly accurate valuation takes dozens of other things into account, from the small features buyers will love to the age of your central heating system. Combined with years of first-hand experience, recent sold house prices, and in-depth market knowledge, these will help your agent give you the best valuation possible.
EXPECTATIONS
When your local Smart Move agent visits your home, they’ll start by chatting about what you want from your sale. While this won’t affect the actual value of your home, it could influence the marketing price. For example, while most people will want the highest price possible – and this is what agents aim for – if your priority is a quick sale (say, ahead of an important deadline), you might decide to list competitively.
THE FINER DETAILS
Your agent will then start their walkthrough. During the walkthrough, they’ll make plenty of notes, take some measurements, and look for all the selling points that make your home unique. Every property is different, so no two valuations will be the same.
As well as room sizes, they’ll also look for features that might be extra-appealing to buyers. Anything from an original fireplace to a recently installed bathroom suite could make some difference to your home’s value. At this point, they will also look for potential ways to show buyers that this house could be perfect for them. For example, working professionals might want to use that spare bedroom as a home office, whereas a growing family might be more excited by the idea of a separate playroom.
ADDING VALUE
Your agent might also be able to recommend quick, simple fixes that could boost your home’s appeal to buyers – it’s all part of getting the best price when it goes on the market, giving your kitchen a fresh coat of paint to pressure-washing the driveway to take years off its age. First impressions can make a huge difference to buyers, and most home sellers will be able to make quick fixes that result in more interest.
HELP US, HELP YOU
If you’ve ever had an instant online valuation, you may have witnessed a big jump between your low and high estimates. Two seemingly identical properties a quarter of a mile away from each other could be on completely different ends of the pricing spectrum. The quirks that make a house unique can be those differentiators. No one knows your home better than you, so your agent will be full of questions about it. It’s helpful if you have the answers to hand, so be ready for questions like:
When were your windows last replaced?
Tell me about the age of your boiler.
Is the property leasehold? Who owns it, and how long is left? If so?
What special features make your house unique?
Is it sole or joint ownership?
Are there any issues with the home, e.g., structural or maintenance?
TIME TO VALUATE
When your agent has gathered all the information they need, they’ll combine it with their research and let you know their valuation.
Remember, your opinion matters. If you already had a number in mind, share it with your agent – they will be more than happy to discuss it and explore the difference.
Your priorities are also important; everyone’s selling strategy is different and based on their needs. Your agent will always consider your needs, whatever they are, and discuss things until you’re happy.
VALUATION REPORT
You’re finished! Now you can wait for your written valuation report (local Smart Move agents send theirs within an hour of your appointment) and take the time to think about your next steps. Your agent will be happy to answer any additional questions you have after the valuation, so if you think of anything else, get in touch.
And that’s it – you’ve taken the first step on your home-moving journey.
If you’re considering selling your home, your local Smart Move agent can visit for a free, no-obligation valuation at a time that suits you.