Selling your house is one of the most significant decisions you will make.
It takes time to decide the best way to sell your house for the best price.
This blog examines the main ways to sell a house in the UK. We analyse the costs, speed, and advantages of each method.
What is the best way to sell your house?
There are many different channels to sell your house (sell below). So, the best way to sell your home depends on your situation and priorities, including:
- Your ideal timeframe – are you in a rush to sell?
- What time of year are you selling? This can make a big difference on your house sale
- Your budget – how much can you afford to spend?
- How involved do you want to be – are you happy to conduct viewings yourself?
- Whether you need the highest possible price – or are happy compromising for speed and certainty.
Are some ways of selling a house cheaper than others?
The costs of selling your property can vary between the options.
High street estate agents typically charge the highest fees, 1-3% of the sale price plus VAT, which can often amount to thousands of pounds.
Online estate agents are less expensive, with flat fees of around £300-£1500. Selling privately or via a cash buyer results in no estate agent fees.
Selling via auction, however, can incur significant fees of around 2.5% of the sale price plus advertising costs. These figures can vary depending on the auction house you use, so do your research.
Are some ways of selling a house faster than others?
Selling your house involves more than just exchanging documents. You also need to find a buyer, carrying out negotiations, and more.
Cash house buyers are the fastest method of selling homes. They can complete within as little as seven days.
Auction houses can also result in selling houses very quickly – sometimes just weeks. However, this timeframe depends on the timing of the auction (and assumes you will find a buyer, which isn’t guaranteed).
This is faster than the average of 8-12 weeks selling through traditional estate agents.
Online agents and private sales fall somewhere in the middle. They have the flexibility to find buyers and agree sales faster than high street agents. But they still need 1-2 months to exchange contracts.
Different ways to sell your house
1. High street estate agents
The most well-known way to sell a house in the UK is to use a traditional high street estate agent.
The agent will visit your property to provide a market appraisal and discuss your selling requirements.
They will market your home on their website and platforms like Rightmove if you proceed.
They may also put a ‘for sale’ sign outside and conduct viewings. And negotiate with potential buyers on your behalf.
Estate agents have experience and local knowledge. They will handle all the time-consuming elements of the sales process. Common examples include:
- Conducting viewings
- Checking legal paperwork
- Liaising with solicitors until completion
However, employing a traditional estate agent comes at a cost.
Their fees are 1-3% of the final sale price plus VAT. So, for example, you could pay £5,000+ on a £200,000 home.
2. Cash house buyers
Cash buyers are property investors or developers who purchase properties.
They will value your property and make an unconditional cash offer. This avoids the need for:
- Estate agents
- Viewings
- Mortgages
- Property chains.
Reputable cash buyers can buy your property in around 7-14 days. This is compared to the UK average of 65 days via an estate agent.
(‘Reputable’ is the key word here. There are bad actors in the property industry who falsely claim to be cash buying. They then stall sellers until they have the funds to buy.)
The cash buying process ultimately enables you to move fast. It also eliminates the uncertainty of a buyer pulling out or a mortgage falling through.
Plus, cash buyers buy the property as-is. You don’t need to renovate or clean your home before selling.
This can be invaluable in some circumstances, such as if you have sitting tenants. Or if you don’t want to extend the leasehold length.
The main downside is that cash offers are usually 5-15% under the total market value. But for many, this reduced price is worthwhile.
3. Selling privately
Some people chose to sell their home privately, without estate agents’ help.
This may suit you if you’re on a tight budget or are confident handling viewings and paperwork.
Going private means avoiding all estate agent fees. So, more of the selling price goes to you.
To succeed, research property prices in your area to set a price. Take high-quality photos and create detailed property listings on major portals.
(You can, for example, use Rightmove to sell privately).
You should always aim to be available to conduct viewings at short notice. This means that a private sale will take up more of your time.
When you find a suitable buyer, hire a conveyancer or solicitor to check the contacts and forms associated with the sale.
You must promote your property to generate interest. Negotiating with buyers can also be challenging without agent experience. The legal process takes longer with no agency involved.
Private selling suits motivated and organised sellers. Especially if you already have a potential buyer lined up.
4. Online estate agents
In recent years, online estate agents have grown in popularity in the UK.
They combine elements of traditional agents with lower fees enabled by technology. Some of the options include:
- Rightmove listings
- Professional photos
- Sales progression support
- Conveyancing recommendations
Viewing coordination and negotiations are your responsibility. Their model means you take on more of the sales process but pay a lower price. So, more of the sale value goes into your pocket.
Standard online agent fees are often cheaper than high street agents. You also get their resources and support when needed. This helps boost interest and serious buyers for your property.
Ensure that you are comfortable showing people around your home and negotiating offers. This skill is not easy for everyone.
5. Auction house
Auction houses involve selling your home to the highest bidder.
Live property auctions occur across the UK and attract crowds of investors, developers, and buyers. The auction house markets your property through listings and brochures.
Potential bidders can then arrange to visit your house in person and complete a survey if they wish. This enables them to accurately understand its condition and prepare for an appropriate bidding figure.
On the day, attendees bid against each other until the gavel falls with the winning bid. After a sale, the auction house often takes between 2 – 3.5% of the commission on the sale.
Some sellers prefer the speed and transparency of auctions. For example, most properties sell within 4-6 weeks of the auction date.
Auctions do come with some risks. There is no guarantee that your home will meet the reserve price you set.
Plus, auctioneers tend to be less selective about who they market to.
Buyers purchases are not subject to mortgage surveys or financing, either. This means that sales can fall through.
Summary: What is the best way for you to sell your house?
Now that you know the different ways available, it’s worth reviewing each option.
High-street estate agents provide an experienced professional to manage the sale.
Cash home buyers offer an uncomplicated solution if you want a quick, certain sale.
Savvy and motivated sellers could consider private sales to maximise their home’s price. At the same time, auctions create urgency and competition between bidders.
Online estate agents balance professional support with lower costs. This is useful if you are confident taking on many sales, marketing, and admin tasks on yourself.
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