Can I sell my home without an estate agent?
Key takeaways
Selling a house privately means handling all aspects of the sale yourself, this includes setting the price, taking photos, advertising, conducting tours, and negotiating deals
You could save 1-2% of the sale price by avoiding estate agent commissions
Consider hiring an independent surveyor for an unbiased valuation on your property
Other alternatives include online estate agents that offer services for a set fee or auctions that require buyers to pay a 10% deposit.
Can I sell my home on my own?
Yes, you can sell your house without an estate agent, but this means a lot of the work will fall on you. Everything the estate agent gets paid to do you will need to do yourself.
This includes everything from setting the price for your home to negotiating the final amount it goes for.
What does selling a house privately involve?
Selling a house privately means you bypass the estate agent and do most of the work yourself.
This will involve the following tasks:
Setting the price
Taking photographs of the property
Writing a description of the property
Finding the best ways to advertise your home
Conducting house tours with potential buyers
Negotiating the final price
What are the benefits of private house selling?
By avoiding an estate agent, sellers can usually save around 1% to 2% of their home's final sale price. On an average UK house price at the start of 2026 of around £270,000, that could save you between £2,700 and £5,400. This saving is the commission that would otherwise be paid to an estate agent.
For many, this potential saving is a powerful incentive to roll up their sleeves and dive into the world of private house selling. Yet it’s also a question of having the time and expertise to take on these tasks.
What role does an estate agent play?
It's important to understand the role of an estate agent in the selling process when deciding whether to use one or not. They are the experts who handle everything from property valuations and photography to listings, advertising, viewings, and price negotiations.
They also act as a go-between for you and potential buyers throughout the sale, and they will hold the keys for the property once the sale is completed.
While you might be foregoing their services, knowing what they do can help you understand what you need to do yourself.
How to sell a house without an estate agent
If you're considering selling your home on your own, there's a checklist of tasks you'll need to tackle to ensure a smooth and successful sale.
Here are some of the key jobs you’ll need to take on:
Tasks involved in selling your house without an estate agents
Cleaning your property
A spotless home is a welcoming one. Give your house a thorough clean to make it shine for potential buyers
Getting any outstanding work done
Address all those little niggles such as fixing the leaky tap, patching up scuffs on the walls, and ensuring everything is in working order
Tidying up outside
First impressions count. Tidy the garden, conceal the bins, and fix any obvious damage to enhance curb appeal
Redecorating
Neutral decor can act as a blank canvas, helping buyers picture themselves living in the space
Clearing the clutter
It’s a good idea to de-clutter before you show around potential buyers as this helps them to see more clearly what the house looks like, and what it might look like when their belongings are inside
Taking great pictures
Use a proper camera and ensure the lighting is correct or consider hiring a professional photographer. Don't overlook the power of video as well to showcase your home
Listing the property
Be aware that selling privately means you may not have access to the usual websites that show property for sale. Spread the word far and wide using social media, local newspapers and community boards to advertise your property
Showing buyers around
Be the perfect host. Take buyers on a set route before allowing them to explore themselves and be ready to answer questions about things like the energy supply, leasehold or freehold, EPC rating, and the wider area
Negotiating the price and accepting an offer
Brace yourself for the bargaining table. Be prepared to discuss prices and stand your ground in negotiations. Even when you’ve confirmed a price, nothing is legally binding until you have exchanged contracts.
How to value a property without an estate agent
Even if you're going it alone, you can still seek valuations from estate agents without any obligation to use their services.
It's wise to get at least three different valuations to help you set a realistic price. Use these valuations to set the price for your property.
Be cautious with online valuation tools, as they might not reflect the nuances of the local market as accurately as a local agent's knowledge.
Alternatively, consider hiring an independent surveyor for an unbiased valuation.
Alternatives to estate agents
For those who aren't quite ready to sell entirely on their own, there are alternatives. Online estate agents offer a compromise, providing services for a set fee.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
More mortgage guides
How does buying a house at auction work
How to deal with estate agents when buying a house
Author
Mel Hunter
Money & Personal Finance Expert
Mel Hunter has worked as a journalist on national newspapers and magazines for more than 20 years. Writing for a wide range of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Woman & Home, The Telegraph...
Reviewer
Alan Cairns
Senior Content Editor
Alan breaks down subjects like money and energy into plain English to help you save money.
