Cheapest Way to Sell a House

But with careful planning and a prudent approach, you can reduce your costs.

It’s natural to wonder which method of selling your house is the least expensive.

In the blog below, we’ve explored how you can save money while selling your property. Keep reading for all the information you need.

Avoid estate agent fees

The ‘traditional’ way to sell your home is to appoint an estate agent. They will:

Value your property (and help you decide how to price it)
Market it
Organise and conduct viewings
Negotiate offers on your behalf.

There will often be a commission that is somewhere between 1-3% of the sale price.

So, for a £200,000 home, for example, you could pay between £2,000 – £6,000 in agent fees.

What you need to do

Not using an estate agent to sell your house enables you to avoid these costs. Although it requires more time and effort, it enables you to take control over steps such as:

Producing detailed property descriptions
Taking photos of the house
Listing the property on major portals like Rightmove and Zoopla

Prepare to handle viewings and negotiations if you opt for this route.

This pathway keeps your costs down. It can also lead to a sense of accomplishment when the sale is completed.

The savings you make from going alone can be a reward for your efforts.

Cash buyers

Another way to avoid estate agent fees is by going to a ‘cash buyer’ or ‘sell house fast’ company.

You will receive a cash offer, often below the typical market value. So, while you may lose out on some profit, it also avoids all the hassle and costs of a traditional sale.

Auction houses

Auctioning your home is another estate agent-free option. Many auction houses charge lower listing and commission fees. Set a suitable reserve price before the open bidding process.

While auctions do allow fast sales, you will lose control over the selling price.

Sidestep conveyancing fees

Conveyancers charge £600-£800 when you are selling a house, depending on the complexity involved.

Lots of property experts do not recommend that you take on conveyancing yourself. But it may be worth considering if you have previous experience in this area.

You could also choose only to consult a conveyancer when you encounter trouble, paying an hour or two for their expertise.

That way, you can steer in the right direction on the essential issues. You can also avoid paying hundreds for tasks that you can do yourself.

Use a cash buying company to avoid conveyancing fees

As a second option, selling your house to a cash buying company enables you to avoid conveyancing costs.

The most trustworthy companies will include conveyancing as part of their price. So you don’t have to pay a penny to a conveyancer.

Asking a qualified friend to handle conveyancing may be an option. This person might be able to complete the legal work as a favour or for a reduced fee.

Make sure that you get any agreement in writing first.

Compare price quotations for EPC

You need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when selling a home. Accredited assessors tend to charge somewhere between £65-£120 for EPCs.

As this document is compulsory, you can’t avoid the cost altogether. But it’s wise to compare quotes rather than go with the first assessor you find.

Certain councils also offer discounted EPCs through energy efficiency schemes.

Research options to get this mandatory report done for as little as possible. An hour or two of your time comparing prices could save £50+ when budgeting to sell your house.

Confirm whether a valid EPC already exists for your house. Once completed, it is valid for 10 years.

And it is possible that the property’s previous owners paid for one without you realising.

Keeping your house energy efficient in general might also help you with your sale, too.

Don’t make unnecessary changes or fixes

It is tempting to spend sums improving your property before sale. Lavish kitchens, swish bathrooms and landscaped gardens can boost value and attract buyers.

But significant home improvements often fail to recoup their total cost in increased sale prices.

Cosmetic redecoration and room makeovers can wait if money is tight.

You don’t need to replace old kitchens or bathrooms if they are sound. Most buyers expect to renovate, anyway.

But resist the temptation of expensive, luxurious renovations before selling. The reality is often that you won’t recover the total costs.

Simple changes to make

There are some things you should fix if you want to sell your house.

Ask yourself which jobs are essential before selling. Focus on fixing any damp, electrical issues or broken heating systems first.

Simple changes can have a big impact, too. Examples include:

Neutral paintwork
Clutter removal
Garden tidying

Stick to vital repairs first and do modest DIY where workable. Things like cracked windows, peeling wallpaper or dated décor do need addressing.

To check which repairs are essential, inspect the entire property. Check the roof, walls, and foundations for any structural issues.

Save on removals by doing it yourself

You can do many things to increase the chances of selling your house.

When the sale of your house completes, you will need to move your belongings.

Hiring a removal company costs approximately £1,500 for a typical 3 – 4 bedroom house move. But you can save money by doing it yourself or with the help of friends and family.

Start collecting free boxes from shops months in advance. To make the process easier, borrow trolleys, blankets, and other equipment.

Pack your possessions room by room. Move fragile items yourself to avoid damage.

Label boxes by room and contents for easy unpacking. Consider packing a “survival box” with a kettle, mugs, coffee, tea, and snacks for move day.

Spread the move over a few days rather than attempting everything in one trip.

Providing food and drink to say thank you is a nice gesture if friends and family are giving up their time to help.

While moving yourself – even with some help – can be tiring, it is a simple and doable way to cut costs. Get help with heavy furniture and appliances.

This is a good option if you receive the keys to your new house before you leave your current one. This may give you a week or two to transfer your belongings across.