getting house valued if i have no intention of selling?!?

adam_ironside

Hi, we have improved our property significantly since we bought it a few years ago, and are now curious as to how it will be valued.
If i want to get a couple of estate agents over to value it, do i have to pretend i am wanting to sell and therefore have to listen to all there sales talk? Or can i just be up front with them and say I am just curious? I would imagine its the former, as otherwise I would in theory be wasting their time.
I do not mind spinning them a line, but would rather not have to!
Just wondered, thanks...

Emmzi

I would pay for a house valuation survey - EAs valuations are designed to get you to give them business therefore not accurate usually, a surveyor has no agenda.

You will get what you pay for.

Emmzi

oh, and wasting busy people's time as you are curious? Bad form, bad karma.

littlesnuggy

Well you're going to be wasting their time whether you lie to them or not! I'd be upfront with them and ask if someone could pop round as and when they're in the area.

Sunshine12

Tell them you are thinking of selling but you are looking for a rough valuation first before you decide. I work in the industry and it happens alot. They will still come out and see you as they might get future business from it should you ever decide to sell. All EA's are aware it goes on so its no big deal.

tcb1973

not people - estate agents. Waste away!

betmunch

If you tell the EA you just want a value they shouldnt give it to you.
a) they do market apraisals - telling you what they think they can sell your house for
b) a valuation should be done by a surveyor.

Some EA's are surveyors as well though so they might just do it. But remember it is all just someones opinion, that goes for the surveyor and the EA either could be right or wrong!

If you do decide to have an EA over I think your best option is to imply you are going to sell and want quotes. If I was the lister at the branch I work in I wouldnt go to someones house if they just wanted a figure and had no intention of selling.

Why do you need to know the value anyway? Why not try zoopla? they will estimate the value of the property for you and take into account any improvements you tell them you have made. Its all automated and you get a result straight away

googler

If you want the value for a defined purpose (re-mortgage, home insurance, estate valuation), then get a valuation from a RICS surveyor.

If it's merely idle curiosity, then look at sold prices in Zoopla etc., look at what's currently for sale in your area, and extrapolate from those.

If you're looking for some idea of what value your 'improvements' have added, then take the value of your house without the improvements, and add on what you spent. However, if EAs in your area are the type who carry out all viewings for their clients, they may be in a better position to hazard a guess at this extra value rather than those who leave their clients to do their own viewings, as they'll have spoken with more buyers, and may have a better feel for what the buyers are currently willing to pay. So you may want to speak to EAs in this case.

Contessa

Emmzi wrote: »

I would pay for a house valuation survey - EAs valuations are designed to get you to give them business therefore not accurate usually, a surveyor has no agenda.

You will get what you pay for.

About how much would this cost?

moomaa

We did something similiar once, using the estate agent we purchased from. We asked for advice on value and which improvements would add what value. We told them why we wanted the valuation. They were polite and helpful and gave useful advice. It was all pretty informal (no paperwork). We used them again when we did eventually sell.

googler

Contessa wrote: »

About how much would this cost?

Depends on your local surveyor - ask around for a quote or two