How to sell your home privately

With the recent downturn in the housing market, it's more important than ever to save money in anyway you can, so consider selling your property privately and avoid costly estate agent fees.

It's easier than you might think, with plenty of helpful websites giving you advice and guidance. Here's some more information on how to go about it:

• Advertise your home on the internet There are many websites that offer a one-off payment for selling your property through them, without any commission at the end of sale. House Network services start from £395 plus vat, and this includes virtual tours, floor plans and wide angle photography. They will also advertise your property on large sites such as Rightmove and Find a Property. Other websites to check out are The Little House Company, No Estate Agents Please and eBay.

• Sell your house through classified ads Local papers, shop windows and dedicated publications, such as Loot, are all good ways of advertising your property sale.

• Do it yourself Selling your home can be as simple as putting up a for sale sign in your window, or a homemade board in your front garden, see www.propertysigns.co.uk. You could also post flyers in local shops and properties, as you don't want to alienate possible buyers who don't have access to the internet. You will have to arrange your own HIP, however there are many websites also offering this service such as My Hip Home and Friday's Move. Once you've received an offer from a potential buyer all you need to do is contact your solicitor with the relevant information, and they will start the legal procedures.

• The pitfalls of selling your home privately Make sure you do your research of the local property market so that you advertise the correct asking price. As you won't have an estate agent vetting callers and organising appointments, this will be your responsibility, as well as showing potential buyers around your property. Prepare yourself for the questions they will ask and make sure you have all your boiler and appliance guarantees to hand. Safety is a concern, so make sure you note down the buyers contact details before an appointment and avoid conducting viewings alone.

Despite the extra work you will have to put in to sell your property, you are in a better position than an estate agent to do so, as you will point out all the positive aspects that an agent might over look.

For more information about selling your property privately, take a look at these helpful websites:

www.homesell.co.uk

www.home.co.uk

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