6 Different Ways to Sell Your House
Selling your home might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re looking to maximise profits, save time, or simply find the easiest route, there’s a perfect option.
From traditional estate agents to modern online solutions and more creative alternatives, you can find a solution that fits your timeline and budget and could boost your sale price.
1. Traditional Estate Agents
Selling with a traditional estate agent takes a lot of the hard work out of the sales process and gives you professional support every step of the way. With an experienced agent, you don’t have to worry about basic issues like ‘how much is my house worth?‘. Your estate agent will market your home, manage the viewings, negotiate on your behalf and take care of the paperwork.
Of course, you’ll pay for the privilege, typically around 1-2% of the final sale price or flat fee, but you’ll have a professional dedicated to selling your home at the best possible price. Traditional estate agents dominated the market in 2024, selling more than 3000 properties a day. Still, the average home spent 60-75 days on the market before receiving an offer in 2024, so this is not always the fastest way to sell your home.
2. Online Estate Agents
Online estate agents offer a cost-effective alternative with a fixed upfront fee. They’ll list your property online and support you with viewings and negotiations through digital tools. While cheaper than traditional agents, you take on a lot more responsibility. That could lead to problems, delays and financial losses as you feel your way through the process.
3. Property Auctions
Selling by auction is suitable if you need a quick sale. With an auction, the whole process can be completed within a month. However, auctions are a gamble. Your house might ignite a bidding war and sell for way over the asking price, or it might not reach its market value.
Property auctions accounted for about 2% of residential sales in 2024, and they are trending upwards as sellers look to cash in on their property fast and take the next step on the ladder.
4. Quick Sale Companies
Quick sale companies purchase properties rapidly, often within days or weeks. They are a business, however, the offer is usually well below the market value. If you need money now and can sacrifice a little equity to secure your next move, this can be a legitimate way to sell your home. Do your research, though, as some companies do not have a glittering reputation.
5. For Sale by Owner (FSBO)
Selling your property yourself eliminates estate agent fees, and you stand to make a bigger profit. You’d better be prepared to put in the hard yards, though, as you have to handle marketing, conduct viewings and find your own solicitors to handle the paperwork. You also need to be sure you have the right valuation, and this method is best suited to experienced business people who are used to red tape and project management.
For most of us, it’s better to swallow the 1-2% fee and employ an estate agent, which is why FSBO sales account for a tiny percentage of UK sales every year.
6. Part Exchange
A part-exchange deal could be an option if you’re buying a new-build property. You use your current home as partial payment towards the new one, like we often do with new cars. It’s convenient and reduces stress, but developers typically offer less than your home’s full market value, and you could be leaving money on the table with a deal like this.
Conclusion
Your personal priorities will dictate the best way to sell your house, and it normally comes down to speed, convenience, or maximising your profits. Remember that you won’t get all three options in one package, and moving house has consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life experiences. Really consider whether you want to add more stress at an already difficult time, or make your life as easy as possible.
