What Happens At A House Valuation?

Looking to sell your home? Wondering what the house valuation process looks like? You’re not alone. The 321 Move experts are here to answer your frequently asked questions and bring you everything you need to know about your valuation appointment and more.

A Property Valuation is simply the process of finding out the current value of your property. It helps to ensure you get a fair selling price on the property market.

Why Is It Important?

Firstly, getting your property valued will help to determine the selling price of your house, based on its current value and how competitive the market is. Secondly, it will allow you to plan your budget for your next move. Your property valuation is an important first step in the moving process; it helps to get the ball rolling and allows you to plan your move in detail.

If the property valuation is too high, it may deter potential buyers. Too low and you may miss out on profit.

We recommend that you have at least 3 valuations to come up with a fair, accurate price based on the opinion of local or online agents.

You can arrange for your local estate agents to visit the property at a convenient time to thoroughly assess its features and carry out an internal and external inspection to determine its value. The price will reflect the current property market and the condition of the property, both inside and out. Your agent will already have useful information to hand, such as selling prices of properties in the area.

Wondering how estate agents value houses? The assessor will consider each room, any land around the property and the area the property is in to determine a fair asking price. We’ve even been asked, ‘do surveyors look in cupboards?’ The answer is no, it is unlikely they will need to look inside your cupboards unless there is a reason, for example, damp or a crack in the wall.

Other features the assessor looks for are:

• Ease of access to the property
• Location
• Size
• Fixtures and fittings
• Age
• Layout

The findings are added to a house valuation report. You can use the figure as a selling guide, budget planner and comparison to other valuations.

This type of property valuation is usually free, and no-obligation. However, it will not take structural condition into account and you may need an in-depth survey with a Chartered Surveyor if you have concerns about the condition of the house.

Instant Online House Valuation

An instant online house valuation is a great place to start if you are uncertain of the current selling price of your house. An online valuation will give you an immediate figure to help you plan your move and gain a good understanding of your budget. It is a great first step in the house move process while you book a property valuation with local estate agents, which can take time to organise around your daily life.

The following three types of report are necessary for an in-depth, structural assessment.

Condition Report

If you are looking to purchase a new property, you may need another kind of report. For example, a Condition Report is the next step up from a property valuation with an agent. It is designed for new or conventional homes, with little structural uncertainty suspected. It will, however, provide a report of any urgent issues that need addressing.

Homebuyers Report

If you suspect there is a structural issue in your property, we recommend a Homebuyer’s Report. This is much more in-depth and details the complexities of any structural issues. It also provides a market valuation as well as information on any maintenance or issues that may affect the value of the property.

Structural Survey

If there is great concern over the structure or condition of the property, or you are dealing with a period property, it is best to get a full structural survey. Although it is expensive, it can save great costs in the long-term by identifying expensive issues.

We hope we’ve answered your common questions about your property valuation appointment. You can learn more about house valuation Leeds here.

Wondering what to do before a property valuation? Now you know what happens at a property valuation, it is time to prepare for one.

You may decide to carry out home improvements to gain a higher selling price for the property. However, this can be expensive. It is always worth checking with the estate agent at a house valuation as to whether any home improvements are going to be worth it.

Remember, the cleanliness of the house won’t necessarily affect its value, but it will help to create a good impression and showcase best features. For instance, surfaces, soft furnishings, and floors should be mark-free and dust-free. A good de-clutter will also help the valuer move around the property easily.

You do not need to get your home perfect for photos just yet – that usually comes when it is time to put the property on the market.

Our team have put together the following house valuation tips to help you get your home in tip-top condition for a prospective buyer:

• Clean and declutter
• Tidy the front of the property
• Mow the lawn if you have a garden
• Small touches like a vase of fresh flowers can make a big difference to a first impression
• Open a window or light a scented candle to let fresh, clean air to circulate

Don’t forget to write down any questions you would like to ask the valuer. These may include queries about the next steps in the process, and how long it will take to gain a final report.

You can book a property valuation at any time, even if you are not ready to sell your house yet. However, if you are looking to start the house sale process, you should be able to book a house valuation fairly quickly. Bear in mind you may have to wait from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to find a time that suits both yours and the agent’s schedule. It is an important step though; selling a house usually takes between 4-6 months from start to finish. As a result, you may want to start the process as soon as possible.

How Long Does The Valuation Process Take?

It is important that you allow plenty of time to ensure an accurate valuation. Timings can vary, depending on the size of the property, special features and many other factors. If the property had a valuation fairly recently, the local estate agent may only need to update their information. However, if the property has not been on the market for some time, the valuation process can take up to an hour, sometimes longer.

Read our handy guide for more information on ‘how long does a house valuation take?’.

We pride ourselves on being open, honest and experienced in the property sector. We know that selling your house can be a busy or stressful time, but we are here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a little about what we can offer you after your house valuation:

• A guaranteed offer in 24 hours
• No fees and no chain
• Plenty of past experience to support you through your move
• Expert advice and support
• Move at a time that suits you
• We buy and sell any condition of property
• Best possible price guarantee
• A house sale with us is much quicker than following the traditional estate agent route

Our team provides high standards of customer care and service to ensure that your house-selling journey is hassle-free and cost-effective.