Key Takeaways

• Estate agents value properties based on location, local market conditions, recent comparable sales, and buyer demand.
• Property size, layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and features such as gardens, garages, and home offices all influence valuation.
• The condition and presentation of a home, including kerb appeal and maintenance levels, can impact its estimated market value.
• Extensions, renovations, and energy-efficient improvements may increase a property's value when completed to a high standard.
• An estate agent valuation typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, with the final valuation often provided after further market analysis.
• Preparing your home by decluttering, cleaning, completing minor repairs, and gathering relevant documents can help ensure the most accurate valuation.

How does an estate agent value a property?

When selling your home, you’ll need to arrange a house valuation to estimate what it’s likely to sell for based on market conditions and comparable local sales. These are usually free of charge, completed by an estate agent. 

It's often worth getting more than one valuation to ensure you're receiving an accurate picture of your home's market value. If you're planning to buy a new-build home, Bloor Homes' Assisted Move scheme can help arrange independent valuations and support the sale of your existing property.

To value your property, they’ll come to see it in-person and combine their observations with local market knowledge, and include comparables sold in to provide you with a recommended sale price.

Understanding how an estate agent values a property and what factors they look for can help you prepare accordingly to maximise your home’s value.

What do estate agents look for when valuing a house?

Estate agents consider a range of factors. These include:

Location

When valuing your property, estate agents will assess how desirable the area is; looking into which schools the property is in the catchment area of, what local amenities are around the property, the development’s proximity to public transport, and whether there are any parks or nature reserves nearby.

Local house prices and sales

Estate agents will also look at recently sold properties that are similar in nature to yours, and are situated in the same area, to gauge what buyers are willing to pay. They'll also consider things like current market conditions and local demand.

Size, layout & features

The size, layout and features of your home will also be taken into account. Estate agents will consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms your home has, as well as the practicality of the layout, and if the home has any special features, like a fireplace, downstairs toilet or a home office. They will also take into consideration whether your home has a garden, a garage or a driveway.

Condition & presentation

The estate agent will look at the condition of your house, including the age of the boiler, the windows and the doors. They will consider the kerb appeal and whether there are any visible structural issues. A simple thing you can do to positively influence the valuation is ensure your house is neat and tidy when the estate agent comes over. Well-maintained homes are considered more attractive to buyers and may lead to your home receiving a higher valuation.

Extensions

If you’ve recently made an extension to your home, the estate agent will also take that into consideration, reviewing both the extent of the work done and the quality of the work itself. A well-designed improvement to your home that has improved the layout of your home can increase your home’s value considerably.

Internal elements

Internal finishes will also be considered. This includes flooring, double glazing, insulation levels, and the quality of the finish.

Homes with modern, energy-efficient features may result in better valuations.

How long does an estate agent valuation take?

A typical estate agent house valuation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the size and condition of the property. During this time, they’ll inspect both the interior and exterior of the home and might ask questions about any recent work carried out.

After the visit, the agent will assess your property against other comparable properties in your area, taking into account current market trends as well.

If you're concerned about how long it may take to sell after receiving a valuation, you could also explore Part Exchange, which allows eligible homeowners to exchange their current property for a brand-new Bloor home.

What to do before a house valuation

Before a valuation, it helps to ensure your home is tidy. While estate agents will look beyond the superficial elements of your home, getting the first impression right can still do wonders.

As you prepare for the estate agent to come over and carry out a house valuation, consider doing the following:

• Clear out any unwanted items
• Give your house a quick clean
• Complete any necessary minor repairs
• Ensure easy access to all rooms
• Have any relevant documents handy, including those about extensions, renovations or upgrades

Moving Home with Bloor

Getting a valuation of your current home is the first step in finding your next house, as it gives you a better understanding of how much you can afford.

Once you've received a valuation and are ready to take the next step, Bloor Homes offers a range of buying schemes designed to make moving easier. Whether you're looking for support selling your current property with our Assisted Move scheme or want to explore the benefits of Part Exchange, our team can help make your move as smooth as possible.

Thoughtfully designed with modern layouts, energy-efficient features and a high standard of specification, our new build homes are ready to live in from day one.

Explore our new developments today.