You want your house sale to move quickly.
The right marketing strategy can make this easier.
Marketing your own property is considered a risk by many people.
But are you allowed to do it?
We’ve answered this question, and more, below.
Can I market my own property?
Yes, you can market your own property. This is often done by homeowners who choose to sell a house privately. This means that you don’t use an estate agent.
Even when you use an estate agent, some companies will allow you to take control of the marketing.
But it typically isn’t in your (or their!) best interest to do so. You won’t be given funds by the estate agency to do this. And they’ll usually expect the same percentage commission.
Some of the most common methods for marketing your own house include:
- Listing your property on Rightmove and Zoopla
- Putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign
- Hosting an open house day
- Advertising in local magazines and websites
- Social media posts – e.g. local Facebook groups
You will need to consider some of the smaller tasks involved with these strategies. For example, you’ll have to take photos of your house for the Zoopla listing. And you’ll need to buy a ‘For Sale’ sign to put out the front of your property.
Even if your marketing strategies are excellent, the condition of your house is equally important. This is where a property expert can guide you. You may want to get an outsider’s opinion, even if you’re going it alone.
When is it impossible to market my own property?
It’s almost never impossible to market your own property. You just need to be creative and use your funds wisely. But most estate agents will insist that you allow them to handle your marketing if you want to sell using them.
Lots of companies have this rule because it reduces their risk.
They trust their own marketing skills, and have the budget to supplement it, but they can’t trust yours. You may need to compromise if you’re committed to using that estate agent.
The same applies to using an auction house. You can direct people towards your property, but the auction company will want to do the same on their end.
They’ll feature you in a brochure in many cases, for example. This is often a condition of selling with them.
How common is marketing your own property?
Marketing your own house is far more common when the circumstances are atypical. This might include selling your property privately or searching for a cash house buyer.
Taking control of your own marketing is rare with high street estate agents. Online estate agencies are far more likely to permit this. You can choose a less expensive package and thus reduce their involvement in the sale. This is one of the advantages of using an online company.
People often feel more confident to market their own house when they have a background in marketing.
Reasons to market your own property
You can unlock a few advantages when you market your own property. Some of these can tip the scales for a homeowner.
Greater control
Marketing your own property gives you greater control. You won’t be forced to comply with a strategy devised by someone else.
This ensures that your property is advertised in precisely the way you wish. If your house fails to find a suitable buyer, the buck stops with you.
Use a wider range of marketing strategies
It’s also completely possible to be successful when marketing your own property. And in some cases, you may even find a buyer quicker.
You can create listings on Rightmove and Zoopla that you consider optimal. And you can utilise social media strategies that an estate agent might not have thought of.
Reduce your fees
You can reduce your fees by marketing your own property in many cases. An online estate agency may charge you less, and thus push your costs down.
And selling your house privately can ensure you don’t pay commission to an estate agent. You should consider costs related to advertising, though.
Drawbacks of marketing your own property
It isn’t all sunshine and roses when marketing your own property, though. There are disadvantages that make it difficult.
Difficult to find a buyer
It’s more difficult to get your marketing spot-on when you don’t have the support of an expert.
Even if you’ve got lots of experience with marketing, an in-depth knowledge of the housing market is also crucial. This ensures that you present the house well and value it correctly.
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed
It’s also completely natural to feel overwhelmed when you take on all the marketing yourself. You don’t have the deep pockets that an estate agency does.
And you often won’t be experienced in this area. You could be out of your comfort zone and thus feel the enormous pressure of what’s at stake. This can be emotionally draining.
It takes up lots of time
There’s also a huge time investment when marketing your own property. This is especially challenging if you’ve got a busy schedule. You’ll need to carve out time to give your property the attention it deserves. Hosting viewings or designing adverts is part of this.
Tips when marketing your own property
Here’s a few tips when marketing your own property. These can give you the best chance of success.
1. Get an independent valuation
Your selling price is one of the most crucial details that affects how many offers you receive.
Even if you handle all marketing by yourself, you should get an independent valuation from an expert to help you with this.
2. Make your house look great
You should always present your house in the best possible condition (this is known as staging).
Fix any major aesthetic problems such as broken windows or an unkempt garden. It’s worth doing this immediately before taking photos or hosting viewings.
3. Utilise free marketing channels
It’s worth utilising any marketing method that’s low cost. Social media doesn’t cost money to share posts on.
And you can also get a ‘For Sale’ sign outside your house for almost nothing. Listing your property on Rightmove and Zoopla is low cost as well.
4. Get feedback from viewers
You should gather viewer feedback throughout the marketing process.
If there’s something turning them off your house, find out about it. This allows you to improve these details and have a better chance moving forwards.
Am I likely to get offers when marketing my own property?
It depends how well you do it. Experience in the property industry can be useful in this regard.
You’ll get offers when your house is priced fairly and you show it in the best possible light. But external factors, such as market activity, can have a big difference too. All these factors should be considered.
