Homeowners have several options available for selling a house.
While most people immediately contact a high street estate agent, this is not always the best method.
Your particular circumstances might mean that a different selling route is better.
So, what is the best way to sell a house? And how can you be sure that you’ve selected the correct method?
Keep reading to find out.
What is the best way to sell a house?
Your optimum route for selling your house will depend on your circumstances and preferences.
Some of the various priorities that house sellers have might have include:
- Your selling price
- Your timeframe for selling
- Keeping your costs down as much as possible
- Who the property goes to
- If you wish to do most of the work.
When your top priority is maximising your price, a high street estate agent is often the best method.
But if these other bullet points are higher priorities, you must explore your options.
For each option below, we have explained the circumstances when that method of selling might be best.
You should match your situation to the examples we’ve given to see which resonates most.
High street estate agent
A high street estate agent is the most common way to sell a house. This is a professional with experience selling properties in your local area.
Choose a high street estate agent if you want to get the maximum amount of money possible.
It’s especially ideal if you are not on a tight schedule. You will sell your house to another buyer on the market, who will often be part of a property chain.
The estate agent allows you to avoid several time-consuming home-selling aspects. This includes:
- Negotiating with buyers
- Hosting viewings
- Marketing your property
- Talking to all others in the chain.
With some other methods of selling a house, you need to do these things yourself.
High street estate agents are thus perfect for avoiding the hassle of these tasks.
Estate agents shouldn’t charge you up-front to use their services. This means you can hire them, even if you have little funds.
Most importantly, high street estate agents offer a personal touch you don’t get with other methods.
They will have experience selling in your local area. They might also have a network of potential buyers they can contact immediately.
You’ll be able to meet them and build rapport with them before signing a contract. Once you have done the latter, the estate agent will have a legal obligation to assist your house sale.
Cash buying company
Cash-buying companies are an excellent option for homeowners in slightly less typical circumstances.
With this method, the priority is not maximising the selling price. It is best for two main types of buyers.
The first are those with houses often deemed unacceptable on the open market. A few examples include properties with:
- Sitting tenants or squatters
- Subsidence issues
- Infested with pets
- Old-fashioned construction method – buyers can’t get a mortgage on it
- Short lease on a flat (below 80 years)
- Flooded, fire damaged, or the after-effects from a lightning strike.
Other times, speed of sale is the seller’s priority. This could be due to:
- Relocating for work
- Going through a divorce
- High debt being overdue or soon owing
- Trying to capitalise on great economic conditions.
Sell it privately
You can sell your house without involving an estate agent. This is known as selling your home privately, meaning you do it yourself.
This route is possible if you have plenty of time. You must perform all the tasks an estate agent usually handles.
This also requires a certain level of expertise, which might require:
- Research
- Training
- Consulting with a specialist when needed.
Selling privately is often selected by people who want to keep every penny of the selling price. You won’t lose out on the commission, but there are still costs associated with this method.
It’s also a great option if you’ve already got a buyer lined up.
You will need to be savvy about marketing your property, though. Open houses and putting up your own ‘For Sale’ sign at the front are common methods of attracting attention.
You could see if any friends or family are interested in buying it. You might even approach property investors directly.
Other ways to promote your house include listing it on Rightmove and Zoopla. Some people pay a small amount to advertise it in local magazines.
Auction house
Selling your house through an auctioneer is similar in some ways to using a cash buyer.
You receive slightly below the market rate, and the deal can be completed quicker than average.
Many people who choose this route are untrustworthy of cash-buying companies.
You can sell your property at auction when it’s in poor condition. In fact, these kinds of properties are common at auctions.
Remember that the circumstances will correlate to the price you can get for it.
You will pay a fee to the auction house when you use them to sell. But you can still complete a sale faster than through a high street agent.
Most people find that a cash-buying company offers the same advantages, with lower costs, as an auction house.
Online estate agent
Online estate agents operate entirely online, meaning they won’t necessarily have a presence in your local area. They are one of the more recent methods of selling a house.
They will use online platforms to market your property and sell it.
Some online estate agents don’t charge commission on your house.
They occasionally cover your legal fees. Instead, you will pay a flat rate for them to sell your house, which is due once the sale completes.
This organisation could have a cash-buying facility that you can use if things move slowly.
The online estate agent is a great way to keep your costs down. You won’t pay commission on the sale.
Yet you can still find a buyer on the open market willing to pay the full amount.
You can also select the service package that works best for you. This might include doing your own photography or hosting your own viewings.
If you want an in-person specialist to support you with a more personal touch, then the in-person estate agent route might be better.
Do your research and speak to an expert for more guidance on all your options.
Summary: Choosing the right method for selling your home
If maximising your selling price is your primary goal, and time isn’t a big obstacle, a high street estate agent is probably the best choice for you.
However, other methods might be preferable if speed, cost, or specific property conditions are critical.
Cash-buying companies offer the fastest and most hassle-free solution. Sellers in a hurry or with properties that are unappealing to traditional buyers should consider these.
Selling privately can be a cost-effective option but requires significant time and effort.
Auction houses can be a good choice for properties in poor condition or for those seeking a fast sale, but they may come with lower prices.
Online estate agents offer convenience and lower fees but may lack traditional agents’ personalised service and local knowledge.
Carefully consider your priorities and property characteristics before selecting the selling method that best aligns with your needs and goals.