When you’re selling your home, you want to get the best possible price while still attracting potential buyers. In a difficult market for sellers, accurate pricing could be even more important.
Research from Zoopla (18 August 2026) suggests homes are taking longer to sell due to a lack of demand from buyers.
Homes in half of local authorities are taking longer to find a buyer than they did last year. The research suggests that higher average mortgage rates compared to 2025 have led to more buyers taking a cautious approach.
As a seller, delays or a lack of interest can be disheartening and frustrating. So, if you’re preparing to put your property on the market, thinking carefully about the price could be essential.
Here’s how to assess the value of your home.
Review your local market
While national trends can give you an overview of the property market, conditions may vary significantly across the country.
Indeed, the Zoopla research highlights regional variances. While the average time it takes to find a buyer is 42 days, the slowest market was Melton in the east Midlands, where it took 76 days on average. In contrast, Scottish markets were among the fastest, led by Falkirk, where homes, on average, took just 11 days to find a buyer.
Spending some time researching your local market could give you a better idea of what your home is worth. Take a look at comparable sales: how much were they listed for and how long did they take to sell?
When looking at past sales, consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the overall condition of the property, and the amount of outdoor space. How do they compare to your home?
You might also want to incorporate features that could make a home more attractive to live in, such as energy-efficient upgrades, a dedicated office, or an established garden.
Doing this research beforehand could help you pitch your property to the types of buyers who are likely to be looking in your area. For example, in an area that’s popular with young families, you might highlight the outdoor spaces, while designated parking could be more attractive to buyers who are likely to commute.
You may benefit from looking at what properties are available now. A large number of listed homes could suggest the market is moving slowly. Greater choice for buyers could mean there’s more competition, which might put downward pressure on the value of your home.
Ask several estate agents to value your home
One of the challenges of valuing your home is that you likely have an emotional attachment to it or a figure in mind based on the property you intend to purchase next.
Working with a professional could reduce this bias.
An estate agent will use local market data, recent sales, and an assessment of your home to determine its value. Of course, there are still subjective factors that affect a property’s value, so you might benefit from working with multiple estate agents initially.
While the estate agent who gives your home the highest valuation might seem attractive, spend some time comparing their views. Ask how they arrived at their valuation to understand their process.
Speaking to estate agents might also highlight small home improvements that could boost the value of your property. Sometimes, a relatively small investment before the property is listed could help your home attract more interest and competitive offers from prospective buyers.
Do you need a mortgage to buy your next home?
If you’re planning to sell your current home and move into a new property, we could help if you’ll be taking out a mortgage. Please contact us to discuss your mortgage needs.
Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
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