Did you know 50% of the properties currently on the market have been on the market for over 4 weeks which means they may have been overpriced.

The problem is that a lot of people go on the market with the agent who offers them the highest asking price. Sometimes these prices are unrealistic and the seller ends up having to keep reducing their price in order to catch the market.

This is really bad news in a declining market place and could end up costing a seller ££££££££'s of pounds needlessly, worse still, they may never catch the market and end up not selling.

So always check your marketing prices.

 1. Location, location, Location.
The location of your home sets the precedence over everything else. Each area has it's own price per square meter and that is your basic rule.

 2. Work Out How Big Your House Is.
The value of a property is dictated by its size in Sq. ft or Sq. M and not simply how many bedrooms it has. You will need to measure the perimeter of your building and then make adjustments for parking, garaging and size of plot.  

 3. Assess The Condition Of Your Home.
Probably the hardest but most important part of any property valuation as it is wholly subjective. That said, the condition of your home will count for up to 30% of it's total value.

Be honest about how old things are even if they are still serviceable as they will affect the price and desirability of your home.

For example a roof might not be leaking but if it is 100 years old it may well be considered past its useful life and surveyors will pick up on that.

 4. Search For Comparable Properties
Check popular property portals for evidence of similar properties in your area which are of similar size in Sq m, ad of similar condition.

You will need to source similar properties:

• Which are currently "For Sale"
• Which are currently "Sold Subject to Contract"
• Which have "Sold & Completed" in the last 12 months.  

 5. Setting Your Price

The price you put your property on the market for should reflect your local market place:

• In an increasing market you can try your luck for a higher price to see how you get on as if you don't sell immediately you can always reduce or wait for the market to catch you up.
  
  
• In a declining market you should make set your asking price as competitively as possible otherwise you may end up chasing the market.   

Ultimately the best way to get a completely unbiased valuation for your property is to contact a local qualified surveyor. They will not only value your home, they can let you know if there is anything you need to do before it goes on the market. It will cost a few hundred pounds but it is the only way to get a professional valuation. 

Alternatively if we are live in your area, why not get in touch with your local How to Sell a House specialist for one of our Pre-Sale Home Appraisals. We are not salesmen, we are not estate agents, we are simply here to make sure you get the right advice and best price for your home.

We do not charge for any of the help or advice we offer as we want our site to be accessible for everyone. That said, if you think we have helped, you can make an anonymous donation to our site. How much you donate is up to you and all proceeds go towards keeping our advice free for future users.