What Is the Process When Selling a House Privately?

Many homeowners believe that the first step to selling their property must be to contact an estate agent. However, the traditional on-market route to selling a house adds a hefty cost to the house sale process.

Selling a house privately is an alternative route that can help you avoid expenses such as estate agent’s fees, which can amount to 1.8%-3% of your house’s sale price. On a £269,000 home (the average house price in the UK in January 2025), that works out to £4,842-£8,070.

Add conveyancing fees, the ongoing costs of mortgage repayments and property maintenance, not to mention home improvements and repairs and it’s easy to understand why private house selling can be a more attractive option to many sellers.

How to sell a house privately

Selling a house privately involves the homeowner selling their property directly to a buyer without engaging the services of an estate agent (thereby sidestepping their fees). 

But what is the process when selling a house privately? The property experts at House Buyer Bureau have put together this handy checklist to help you understand how private house sales work and get you started.

1. Choose Whether to Go It Alone or Get Some Help

There are companies that can help you sell your home without an estate agent (allowing you to avoid the extra fees). A reputable house buying service such as House Buyer Bureau will buy your property directly from you for cash and there are no fees to pay.

Our offer will be slightly below market value, but you’ll save thousands of pounds by not shelling out for many of the costs associated with an open market sale — check out our price comparison chart here. It’s a speedy, hassle-free option and we can offer completion in as little as seven days.

You may prefer to handle the wholesale yourself. This can seem like an appealing idea in a buoyant market with plenty of buyers chasing a small number of properties for sale. But beware that going solo will involve a lot of time and effort as you’ll have no agent to advertise your home, conduct viewings or guide you through the sales process.

2. Decide on Your Asking Price

Setting a realistic asking price is key to securing a timely sale. Properties that are priced right in the first listing are twice as likely to find a buyer than those which are initially overpriced and then reduced.  

To value your property accurately, research similar local properties that have recently sold to gauge what a fair asking price for your home is. It’s also worth checking out similar properties that have been sitting on the market for a long time — are they priced competitively? Consider the condition of your house, the current market, local amenities and any unique selling points, such as a new designer kitchen or state-of-the-art garden studio.

3. Make Repairs and Home Improvements

Spending time and money on a house you don’t plan to live in may seem counterintuitive, but making a few improvements could mean the difference between a quick sale for a great price and a lengthy wait for a buyer who tries to beat you down.

There are some easy wins that could boost the appeal of your home without too much effort or expense. Make sure the property is clean and clutter-free before viewings. Check off small DIY tasks such as mending broken taps or painting shabby woodwork. 

Consider the first impression potential buyers will have of your property — can you spruce up the front garden or paint the front door to add curb appeal?

4. Advertise Your Property

If you’ve elected to sell your home privately, you’ll need to carefully consider how, where and when to advertise your home. While some people sell their homes to people relocating from far away, it’s more likely you’ll find a buyer locally. Place ads in local newspapers, community magazines, newsletters and other local publications with good circulation. Put up a “For Sale” sign to attract passers-by — you’ll have to create this yourself if you’re not using an agent. It may also be worth investing in professional photography and paying someone to create a floor plan for your adverts.

Research suggests that the number of people who start their property search online is as high as 95%. Marketing your home online is a must. There is an almost infinite choice of places to advertise online, from marketplaces such as Gumtree and local forums to established property sites. However, the major property portals will only host ads by estate agents that pay a monthly subscription fee.

Selling directly to a genuine house buying service will save you the considerable time and stress of marketing your own home. House Buyer Bureau buys property in any condition and location in the UK. We can make you a free cash offer almost immediately, so why not get in touch?

5. Conduct Property Viewings

Unless you have a highly desirable property and are selling in a very healthy property market, you’ll probably need to arrange dozens of viewings before finding the right buyer. Many people will ask for a second or even third viewing before they’re ready to make an offer.

Make sure the property is well presented inside and out before every viewing. Constant cleaning and tidying are time-consuming and far from fun, but a messy, dirty home will instantly turn off many buyers. 

6. Negotiate and Sell

Most buyers will try to negotiate on the asking price, especially in a buyers’ market. 

Before entering negotiations, you must understand what the house is worth and the sale price you need to achieve to reach your goals — be that to upgrade to a larger property or fund a new business venture. 

Once a sale is agreed upon, you’ll need to instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to guide the sales process towards an agreed completion date. 

If you want to bypass the stress, time and hassle of marketing and selling your property, talk to us. We can make you a cash offer within 24 hours. If you decide to go ahead with the sale, our team of expert house buyers will take care of everything! There’s no hard sell and no obligation to buy until contracts are exchanged.

Is Selling a House Privately Right for You?

There are considerable savings to be made by ditching the estate agent and going it alone. But, how do you know if it’s the right choice for you? 

• How much free time do you have? Marketing and selling a house independently can take up considerable time, which you may struggle to find if your life is full and busy.
• Is it a buyers’ or a sellers’ market? It will be quicker and easier to sell in a market where demand for properties outstrips supply.
• Are you selling a “problem” property? For example, a property with a short lease term remaining or a non-standard construction that may be unmortgageable.
• How fast do you need to sell your property? If you need to sell your house fast, selling privately may not deliver the quick sale you need. Unless you sell to a quick house sale company like House Buyer Bureau — we can buy your property for cash in as little as 7 days!
• Do you already have a private buyer in mind? If you know someone who is interested, be that an individual or a house buying company that you trust, you’re already halfway to a sale!

Get a Quick Sale by Selling Your House Privately

A private sale is a great way to reduce the costs — such as estate agent fees — associated with a traditional on-market sale. But there are potential pitfalls to going it alone. 

Marketing properties is a professional skill and it’s easy to miss out on great opportunities to engage with potential buyers. Furthermore, advertising (if you do it well) is extremely time-consuming, making it challenging for sellers who have work and family commitments. 

Likewise, conducting viewings will take up hours of your time, potentially meaning cancelled social plans and time off work.

The negotiation stage is especially difficult for homeowners to manage effectively. Property professionals have no attachment to your home and a solid grasp of the market, putting them in an excellent position to negotiate objectively and knowledgeably. It can be easy for a homeowner to turn down a great offer due to personal conflicts or misunderstanding their property’s value. 

Want to save yourself the time, hassle and stress of selling privately while still saving on estate agents fees?

House Buyer Bureau has the funds to buy your home directly from you for cash. We can offer completion in as little as seven days. There are no fees, no need for viewings and we can even complete a FREE valuation remotely using your photos and videos.

Selling a House Privately FAQs

Do I need a solicitor to sell my house privately?

It’s not always necessary to have a solicitor but they do make the sale go through much more smoothly, particularly when it comes to managing contracts, transferring the property ownership and generally making sure everything is done by the book. Selling privately can save you on estate agent fees, which are usually a significant cost. However, you’ll still need to pay for things like legal fees, an Energy Performance Certificate and any marketing costs if you want to advertise your property. So, while it might be cheaper, it’s important to consider the extra time and effort involved.

Can I sell my house without using an estate agent?

Absolutely! There’s no law that says you need an estate agent to sell your home. You’ll need to find your own buyer, which you can do by listing your house online, using social media or asking family and friends to spread the word. Just be aware that, without an agent, you’ll need to manage viewings, negotiations and paperwork on your own.

What is the best way to sell my house privately?

The best way is to start by valuing your property properly—get a few local valuations or use online tools. Next, advertise it on popular property websites like Rightmove or Zoopla and spread the word on social media. Be prepared to manage viewings and negotiations. Having a solicitor in place to handle the legal side will make things much smoother.

Can I sell my house privately to a friend?

Yes, you can definitely sell your house privately to a friend. The process is the same as selling to anyone else—you’ll need to agree on a price and both parties should still use solicitors to handle the legal aspects. It might seem straightforward, but it’s important to get everything in writing and follow the proper legal steps.

Do I still owe fees to an estate agent if I sell privately?

This depends on your agreement with the estate agent. If you’re still within the contract period, you may owe them their fee even if you sell the house privately. Check your contract to see if there’s an exclusivity clause, which could limit how easily you can sell without involving the agent.

How long does it take to sell a house privately?

There’s no set time period for selling a house privately (just like when selling through an estate agent) as there are many things that can speed up or slow down the process. You should generally expect it to take from a few weeks to several months. If you have a buyer already lined up, and they’re keen, it can be quicker than going through an estate agent, but if you don’t have one, and you don’t have the time to work on the sale, it can take longer than the traditional route. You’ll still have all the legal processes to deal with as well, whichever way you go.

What costs are involved in selling a house privately?

The main costs involved are legal fees, which can range from £500 to £1,500 and an Energy Performance Certificate, which typically costs between £35 and £120. You might also spend money on marketing your property if you’re listing it on property websites. While you’ll save on estate agent fees, you’ll need to budget for these other costs.

What steps should I take to prepare my house for sale privately?

First, you’ll want to get an accurate valuation of your home. Then, viewing by decluttering and making it look as appealing as possible. Market your home using online platforms or word of mouth. Once you have a buyer lined up, you’ll need a solicitor to handle the legal side, including contracts and transferring ownership.

Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to sell my house privately?

Yes, by law you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when selling a house, regardless of how you’re selling. It gives buyers an idea of how energy-efficient the property is and you’ll need it ready before you start marketing your home. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to get one.

Contact us today for your free cash offer.

Chris

Chris

Chris has worked in property all his career, first as a successful estate agent before spotting a gap in the market for buying property directly from people looking for a simple, quick sale.

He has a passion for property and as an experienced valuer, has looked at well over 50,000 properties so far at HBB. He has extensive experience in property buying and regularly comments in the press on property matters, trends and promotes ways to simplify and speed up the selling process.

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