Understand the evidence behind your home's value
A valuation is only as useful as the evidence behind it. These guides explain how estimates are made, how comparable sales are chosen, what an asking price really means and how to read a valuation report, so you can question a figure before you rely on it.
This is an estimate from comparable sales, not a RICS or mortgage valuation, and not a survey.
How accurate are online house valuations?
Learn how to judge an online estimate by its property details, comparable sales and limitations, rather than relying on the number alone.
Which type of property valuation do you need?
Compare online estimates, estate agent appraisals, mortgage valuations and surveys to find the assessment suited to your decision.
How to choose comparable sales for a house valuation
Learn how to choose relevant sold properties, reject misleading matches and use a practical shortlist to assess a house valuation.
Asking price market value and sale price explained
Understand the difference between an advertised asking price, an estimated market value and a completed sale price.
How to Use Sold House Prices to Value a Property
Understand the limits of sold price records and learn how to select genuinely useful comparable transactions.
Does Price per Square Foot Tell You What a House Is Worth?
See when price per square foot is useful, why it can mislead and how to compare property floor areas fairly.
How Does Property Condition Affect House Value?
Explore how buyers price condition, repair risk and uncertainty, and why improvement costs do not directly translate into value.
Why Do Online Property Valuations Change?
Learn what moves automated home estimates, how to investigate a change and when a new figure deserves attention.
How to Value an Unusual Home With Few Comparable Sales
Understand how to compare distinctive homes, account for specialist features and decide when a professional valuation is needed.
How Much Value Does an Extension Add to a House?
Understand when extensions may add market value, how to assess comparable sales and what to consider before building to sell.
How to read a house valuation report
Understand a valuation report's estimate, range, comparable evidence, assumptions and limits, then identify what to check next.
How to Understand House Values in Your Local Area
Move beyond postcode averages by comparing relevant local sales, price trends and the homes buyers can choose today.
What does a property valuation cost and what are you paying for?
Compare what valuation fees buy, from inspection and written evidence to intended recipients, extra work and the questions to ask before instruction.
Can you value your home without an estate agent visit?
Prepare useful property information before an agent visit and identify which questions remote evidence can answer, and which still need observation.
Will an online house valuation lead to sales calls?
Understand required contact details, marketing choices and referral disclosures before submitting an enquiry, with a checklist for reading the actual privacy information.
What should you do if an online valuation has the wrong property details?
Trace an incorrect property record, gather evidence for a correction and check whether an updated display also changed the information used in an estimate.
Why is there no online estimate for your home?
Work out whether a missing estimate reflects address matching, limited comparison evidence or service scope, then choose an appropriate next step.
Which floor area should you use when assessing a home’s value?
Compare floor plans and energy certificate areas by date, included spaces and measurement basis before using size in a property assessment.
When does an old house valuation need checking again?
Check changes in the building, market evidence, intended use and recipient requirements before relying on an older property valuation again.
How do you compare two written property valuation reports?
Compare the dates, assumptions and evidence in two written reports before judging their final figures or choosing between conflicting conclusions.