Selling a house privately can be a liberating way to take control of your property sale, potentially saving thousands in estate agent fees while creating a more personal experience for both you and your buyer.
Whether you’re looking to cut costs, already have a buyer lined up, or simply enjoy a challenge, a private house sale offers an alternative path that many UK homeowners find rewarding.
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What Does Selling Your Home Privately Actually Mean?
When you choose to sell your home privately, you’re essentially taking on the role of estate agent yourself. This means handling everything from valuing your property and creating marketing materials to conducting viewings and negotiating with potential buyers. It’s a hands-on approach that cuts out the middleman entirely.
Selling your home privately tends to be most successful when the property market is strong, as buyers are more plentiful and homes sell faster, often at favourable prices. It’s also a smart move if you already have a potential buyer lined up, such as a friend or family member interested in your property.
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Understanding a Private Property Sale
A private property sale means selling your home directly to a buyer without involving an estate agent. While this approach can save you significant money on commission fees, it requires you to handle all aspects of the selling process yourself. This includes everything from marketing your property to handling the legal paperwork.
Is It Worth Selling a House Privately? Weighing the Pros & Cons
Deciding whether to sell your house privately is a big step, and it’s only natural to want to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks before making a move. On the plus side, you’ll save a significant amount on estate agent fees—on average, homeowners pocket around £3,200 by going it alone. You’ll also have complete control over viewings, allowing you to arrange them at times that suit your schedule and to personally highlight what makes your home special. Direct communication with buyers means there’s less chance of messages getting lost or misinterpreted, and you can be flexible with your asking price, adjusting it as you see fit. Some buyers even prefer dealing directly with the homeowner, finding it a more personal and transparent experience.
However, there are some challenges to consider. Private sellers don’t have access to the big property portals like Rightmove or Zoopla, which can make it harder to reach a wide pool of buyers. You’ll also need to be prepared for the time and effort involved in handling all enquiries, viewings, and negotiations yourself. With fewer potential buyers, you might find you have to accept a lower offer than you’d hoped for. There’s also a risk of encountering scams or less-than-honest buyers, as you won’t have an agent to vet them for you. And, of course, selling your own home can be an emotional process, making it tricky to stay objective when it comes to negotiations.
Ultimately, selling privately can work well for some, especially if you already have a buyer in mind or are comfortable managing the process. Just be sure to go in with your eyes open and a clear understanding of what’s involved.
Step-by-Step: How Do I Sell My Property Privately?
If you’ve decided that selling privately is right for you, here’s a comprehensive guide to go through the process:
- Research your property’s value – Obtain multiple professional valuations or use online tools to determine a realistic asking price
- Prepare your home for sale – Declutter, clean thoroughly, and consider minor repairs or improvements to enhance appeal
- Gather necessary documentation – Arrange an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and collect property details like land registry documents
- Create compelling marketing materials – Take high-quality photographs and write detailed property descriptions
- Advertise your property – Use social media, local newspapers, property websites that accept private listings, and word of mouth
- Arrange and conduct viewings – Schedule appointments, prepare your home, and show potential buyers around
- Field enquiries and negotiate offers – Respond promptly to questions and consider offers carefully
- Accept an offer – Once you’ve agreed on a price, get the buyer’s details for your solicitor
- Instruct a solicitor – Engage legal help to handle the conveyancing process
- Progress to exchange and completion – Work with your solicitor to handle surveys, searches, and final contract signing
Three Main Types of Private House Sale
When it comes to selling your home without an estate agent, there are three main routes you can take.
The first is selling on the open market yourself. This is probably the most demanding option, as you’ll be responsible for everything—from marketing your property and arranging viewings, to negotiating offers and sorting out all the paperwork. It can be time-consuming and requires a fair bit of effort, but if you’re up for the challenge, you could save a substantial amount on estate agent fees.
The second approach is selling privately to a friend or family member. If you already have someone interested in buying your home, things become much more straightforward. You can skip the hassle of marketing and endless viewings, but it’s still essential to handle the legal side properly to avoid any misunderstandings or complications down the line.
Lastly, there’s the option of selling to a cash house buyer. This is often the fastest and least stressful way to sell privately. Companies like Property Saviour can offer you a guaranteed cash price for your property, with completion possible in as little as seven days. There are no fees to pay, and your legal costs are often covered, making it a very appealing choice if you’re looking for speed and certainty.
How Much Does It Cost to Sell My Home Privately?
While avoiding estate agent commissions is the main financial benefit of private selling, there are still expenses to consider. Let’s break down the typical costs associated with selling a house privately compared to using an estate agent:
| Expense Type | Private Sale Cost | Estate Agent Sale Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Commission | ÂŁ0 | ÂŁ1,875-ÂŁ7,500 (0.75%-3% on ÂŁ250,000 home) |
| Legal Fees (Solicitor) | ÂŁ850-ÂŁ1,500 | ÂŁ850-ÂŁ1,500 |
| EPC Certificate | ÂŁ60-ÂŁ120 | ÂŁ60-ÂŁ120 (sometimes included by agent) |
| Marketing Costs | ÂŁ500-ÂŁ1,000+ | Usually included in commission |
| Photography | ÂŁ100-ÂŁ300 | Usually included in commission |
| Floor Plans | ÂŁ50-ÂŁ150 | Usually included in commission |
| Mortgage Exit Fee | ÂŁ50-ÂŁ300 | ÂŁ50-ÂŁ300 |
| Early Repayment Charges | 1%-5% of mortgage | 1%-5% of mortgage |
| Removal Costs | ÂŁ400-ÂŁ1,500 | ÂŁ400-ÂŁ1,500 |
As you can see from the table above, while you’ll save on the estate agent’s commission, you may need to pay for marketing services that would otherwise be included. The total cost of selling privately could still reach around ÂŁ4,000, though this is typically less than selling through an agent for most properties.
Will I Need a Solicitor When Selling Privately?
Yes, you will need a solicitor when selling your house privately. While it’s not a strict legal requirement, having a solicitor or licensed conveyancer is strongly recommended to handle all the legal work involved in transferring ownership, known as conveyancing.Â
They’ll prepare contracts, liaise with the buyer’s solicitor, carry out necessary checks, and ensure the sale is completed properly and safely. Trying to manage the legal side yourself can lead to costly mistakes or delays, and most buyers and mortgage lenders expect a professional to be involved.Â
How to Sell a House Privately to a Family Member?
Selling your home to a family member can make the process feel a lot more straightforward, but it’s still important to approach things with care and professionalism to avoid any misunderstandings or awkwardness down the line.
First and foremost, agreeing on a fair price is key—not just for a smooth transaction, but also to keep family relationships on good terms. It’s wise to get a professional valuation so you both have a clear idea of what the property is worth. Often, when selling within the family, the aim isn’t to squeeze out every last pound of profit, but rather to make the transfer as easy as possible. Many people choose to sell below market value to help out a loved one, but do bear in mind that this can have tax implications, so it’s worth having a chat with a financial advisor before you go ahead.
Transparency is absolutely vital. Make sure everything is clearly documented, including any special arrangements or conditions you’ve agreed on. Even though you’re dealing with family, you’ll still need a solicitor to handle the legal side of things and ensure all the paperwork is done properly. This not only protects both parties, but also gives everyone peace of mind that the transfer has been handled correctly.
If I have a buyer for my house, do I need an estate agent?
No, you absolutely do not need an estate agent if you already have a buyer lined up for your property. Thousands of homeowners across the UK are paying unnecessary estate agent fees simply because they don’t realise they can skip the agent altogether when they’ve found their own buyer—whether that’s a friend, family member, or neighbour.
There’s no legal requirement to use an estate agent in this situation. You can move straight to the legal stage by instructing a solicitor, who will handle all the paperwork and ensure the sale is completed properly. This can save you thousands in commission and give you more control over the process.
However, it’s still important to do your due diligence—make sure your buyer is financially prepared and reliable. Having a solicitor manage the transaction will help protect both parties and keep everything above board. So, if you’ve already found your buyer, you can confidently proceed without an estate agent and keep more of your hard-earned money.
Can I advertise my house on Rightmove without an estate agent?
You can’t advertise your house directly on Rightmove without an estate agent. Rightmove, along with other major property portals like Zoopla, only accepts listings from professional estate agents, not private sellers. This is a major hurdle for anyone hoping to sell privately, as these platforms attract millions of buyers every month.
However, there are ways around this. If you want your property to appear on Rightmove, you can use an online estate agent for a fixed fee—often much cheaper than a traditional high street agent. These online agents will list your property on Rightmove and other major portals, while you still handle enquiries and viewings yourself. Companies like Strike, Purplebricks, and Griffin Residential offer these services, allowing you to reach a wide audience without paying hefty commission fees.
If you’d rather avoid agents altogether, you can advertise your home on specialist “for sale by owner” websites, social media groups, local forums, and community noticeboards. While these options won’t give you the same exposure as Rightmove, they can still help you find a buyer—especially if you’re targeting your local area or already have someone interested.
In summary: you can’t list directly on Rightmove as a private seller, but using an online agent is a cost-effective way to get your property in front of the largest pool of buyers in the UK. For a truly private sale, you’ll need to explore alternative advertising routes.
As always check their reviews first as many online estate agents are not interested once they have been paid. Why not explore a guaranteed sale option instead?
Selling Your House Privately When the Market Is Challenging
Selling your house privately can be a great option in the right circumstances, but it’s not always the best route—especially when the market is slow or your property has unique challenges. In a sluggish market, or if your home has unusual features, legal complications, or needs major work, the expertise and wider reach of an estate agent can sometimes justify their fee.
If your property has issues like structural problems, troublesome tenants, or requires significant renovation, selling privately can become even more difficult. Buyers may be hesitant without the reassurance that comes from professional involvement, and it can be tough to find the right audience for a property that’s a bit out of the ordinary.
This is where Property Saviour can really help. We specialise in buying problem properties directly from homeowners, offering a straightforward and stress-free alternative to both private sales and the traditional estate agent route. No matter the condition or circumstances, we’re able to buy any property and often complete purchases in a matter of days—something that’s rarely possible with conventional selling methods. If you’re facing a challenging sale, we’re here to provide a lifeline and help you move on quickly and with peace of mind.
When Selling Privately Makes Perfect Sense?
There are definitely times when selling your house privately is the most sensible and cost-effective choice. If you already have a buyer lined up—perhaps a friend, family member, or someone you know who’s genuinely interested—there’s little point in paying estate agent fees for a job that’s essentially already done.
In a buoyant property market, where demand is high and homes are being snapped up quickly, you might find a buyer without needing the reach or marketing power of an agent. In these situations, selling privately can save you both time and money.
If you’ve sold property before and feel comfortable with the process, you might prefer to handle things yourself. Having some experience with the legal side of things can make a private sale much less daunting.
And finally, if your property is unique and you know exactly who your ideal buyer is, you may be able to target them directly—sometimes even more effectively than a traditional estate agent could. In these cases, selling privately can be a smart and rewarding move.
What is the best way to sell a house privately?
Thinking about selling your home? I completely understand why you’re exploring your options. The traditional route of listing with an estate agent can feel like a long, expensive journey with those hefty commission fees often swallowing ÂŁ5,000-ÂŁ10,000 of your hard-earned equity. And while selling privately might seem appealing to save those fees, the reality can be quite different from the expectation.
When you sell privately, you’re suddenly wearing multiple hats – photographer, property marketer, viewings coordinator, and negotiator. The process can quickly become overwhelming, especially when you realise you can’t directly list on major portals like Rightmove and Zoopla without paying additional services. Those seemingly straightforward weekend viewings soon eat into precious family time, and without professional negotiation skills, many private sellers end up accepting lower offers anyway.
Even with an estate agent, there’s no guarantee of a quick or stress-free sale. The average property in Britain currently takes between 4-6 months to sell, and approximately one in three sales falls through after an offer is accepted. That’s months of keeping your home perpetually tidy for viewings, answering endless questions from potential buyers, and living with the uncertainty of whether your sale will actually complete.
This is precisely why at Property Saviour, we offer a refreshingly different approach. Rather than listing your property, we buy it directly from you. No marketing, no viewings with strangers trooping through your home, no waiting for buyers to secure mortgage approvals that might fall through at the last minute. Just a straightforward, guaranteed sale.
Our process eliminates the typical frustrations of property selling. We purchase properties in any condition – meaning you don’t need to spend time or money on repairs, cleaning or staging. There are absolutely no estate agent fees or hidden costs, and we even cover your legal fees with our recommended solicitor. What you’re quoted is precisely what lands in your bank account.
Perhaps most valuably, we offer certainty. Once we agree on a price, we stick to it – no last-minute price reductions or buyers pulling out after months of waiting. We can complete in as little as 7 days if needed, though most of our clients prefer 2-4 weeks to arrange their onward move comfortably.
We’re particularly helpful for those in challenging situations – inherited properties, homes with problem tenants, properties needing substantial repairs, or simply homeowners who value a quick, guaranteed sale over achieving the absolute maximum market price. Just last month, we helped a seller in Falmouth remove four historic charges from their property’s title – something that would have significantly delayed a traditional sale.
We’ve been in property long before it became fashionable, and we’ve seen how stressful selling can be. While selling to a direct buyer like us typically means accepting a discount from full market value, many of our clients find the convenience, speed and certainty more than compensate for the difference. When you factor in saved estate agent fees, months of mortgage payments, and the value of your time and peace of mind, the financial equation often balances favourably.
If you’re juggling work and family commitments or simply want to move on quickly without the typical property selling headaches, we’d be happy to make you a no-obligation offer. There’s no pressure – we’ll simply provide another option for you to consider alongside the traditional routes. Some of our most appreciative sellers are those who initially thought they’d sell privately or through an agent, only to discover how refreshingly straightforward our approach can be.
Your home sale should fit your circumstances, not the other way around. Whether you need a quick sale due to a job relocation, want to avoid the uncertainty of a property chain, or simply prefer the peace of mind of a guaranteed buyer, Property Saviour might be the solution you didn’t realise you were looking for.
Need To Sell With Certainty?
Selling your home privately can be a rewarding experience that saves you money and gives you complete control over the process. However, it requires time, effort, and careful attention to detail. Before deciding, honestly assess your situation, property, and personal capabilities.
If you’re facing time constraints or dealing with a problematic property that would be challenging to sell through traditional methods, remember that there are alternatives. At Property Saviour, we buy any property, regardless of condition or complications. Our process eliminates the uncertainty and stress of private selling while still avoiding estate agent fees.
Whether you’re dealing with structural issues, problem tenants, inheritance complications, or simply need a quick, guaranteed sale, we’re here to help. Our team understands the unique challenges of the property market in Leeds and across the UK, providing tailored solutions when conventional selling methods aren’t ideal.
Take the first step toward a stress-free property sale by contacting Property Saviour today. We’re ready to discuss your situation and offer a fair, no-obligation cash offer for your property – giving you the freedom to move forward on your terms.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay ÂŁ1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.Â
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.Â
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.Â
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
