Go paper-free
Amend paper-free preferences for your statements and communications.
How much is my home worth?
Knowing how much your property is worth is useful if you’re thinking about moving house, remortgaging, renovating or you want to find out how much equity you have in your house.
We can help you understand:
- how to get your home ready for a valuation
- how to get your home valued
- what impacts the value of your home
- ways you can add value to your home.
Step 1: How to prepare for a valuation
To get the best valuation, you’ll want to get your home ready:
- Make sure it's clean and tidy.
- Neutral décor is preferable. Bright colour schemes might not appeal to some potential buyers.
- Tidy the garden or any outdoor spaces.
- Get your facts ready – when was the boiler fitted or any renovation work done?
Step 2: How to get a valuation
Getting your home valued by an estate agent
The best way to find out how much your house is worth is to ask an estate agent to carry out a valuation. Get a couple of valuations to compare values. They may charge you for this service.
Local estate agents will have a good understanding of property prices in your area. They’ll be able to consider factors, like rising prices and proximity to local amenities.
Valuing your property without an estate agent
What impacts the value of your home?
There are few things that can affect the value of a house.
-
Flood – Understandably, areas that flood often can reduce local house prices. You can check the long-term flood risk for areas in England.
Subsidence – If the ground beneath your house sinks or caves in, it can seriously affect the value of your home. Your property could drop by 20% or more.
Keep an eye out for cracks or damage to the walls, doors and windows.
-
An accessible bathroom finished to a high standard with strong water pressure could add up to 5% to the value of your home.
-
A tidy garden or outside space can increase a property's value by 5%.
-
For buyers with a family, being in the catchment area of schools highly rated by Ofsted will be high up on their list. This can also increase the value of your property.
-
Transport. Being in an area with good road, rail and cycle routes can be attractive for potential buyers. Links to motorways, major cities and airports are also a ‘bonus’.
Location. A sought-after area of natural beauty can also have a huge impact on the value of a property.
Commuting distance to towns or cities and the availability of local amenities, such as supermarkets, restaurants and sports centres, can all boost house value.
Adding value to your home
Increasing your property's value
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the overall condition of a property, are the main considerations when valuing a house.
If you are hoping to increase the value of your home, there are some things you can do. But it’s worth remembering that an expensive renovation might not add more value than the work itself cost.
Heat pumps
An energy-efficient way of heating your home and lowering your household's carbon emissions.
Solar panels
Getting solar energy in your home could lower your energy bills.
Insulation
Insulation keeps your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer and could reduce your energy bills.
You might also like
