Free property valuation

Property valuation FAQ

• How is my property valuation calculated?

  Our service is rooted in honesty and precision, meaning that we focus on providing clear, precise and evidence-based valuations. [PA1]

  Here’s how we calculate your property’s value:

  1. Market conditions: Understanding the current market conditions is crucial. We analyse supply and demand dynamics, recent sales in your area, and broader economic indicators to ensure your valuation aligns with the current market.
  2. Property's condition and features: Your property’s condition, along with any unique features and improvements you’ve made, significantly influence its value. From renovations to special amenities, every detail is considered to provide a comprehensive estimate of your home's value.
  3. Local area and amenities: The value of your property is also influenced by its location and local amenities. Proximity to quality schools, public transportation, and local services are all carefully evaluated to provide an accurate reflection of how these factors increase your property’s appeal.
  4. Comparative market analysis (Comps): By examining the sale prices of similar properties in your local area, we gain invaluable insights that contribute to a more accurate valuation. This approach ensures your property is valued fairly against its peers.
  5. Size, age, and usable space: The size of your property, its age, and how effectively its space is used are important considerations. Newer or well-maintained properties, and those with efficient layouts, often command higher valuations.
  6. Land Registry and historical data: Using data from the HM Land Registry, we incorporate historical sale prices and trends into our valuation process. This data provides a solid foundation for understanding how past market conditions may influence your property’s current valuation.
  7. Future developments: Any planned local developments can have a significant impact on your property’s future value. Whether these are infrastructural improvements or new commercial projects, we take these into account to provide a forward-looking valuation perspective.
  8. Legal and environmental considerations: We also consider any legal claims or environmental risks associated with your property. From planning laws to flood risks, these factors are integral to determining an accurate and fair market value.

  Our team of expert estate agents combines in-depth knowledge of the local market with a detailed understanding of your property’s unique characteristics to provide a valuation report that reflects its true value. With our free property valuation service, you receive not just an estimate, but a detailed analysis designed to help you decide the best course of action for selling your property.

• What can I do to increase the value of my property?

  Boosting your property's appeal and value involves carefully thought-through improvements to captivate potential buyers and positively influence its valuation. You should consider the following:

  • Improve curb appeal: Enhancing the exterior, including the garden and entrance, can make a lasting impression on prospective buyers.
  • Modernise key areas: Updating kitchens and bathrooms, even with minor renovations, can significantly increase your property's market value.
  • Boost energy efficiency: Implementing energy-efficient updates can make your home more attractive to buyers seeking sustainable homes, thereby raising its value.
  • Expand living space: Adding living areas, such as converting lofts or basements, can substantially increase the property's value.
  • Maintain and repair: A well-maintained property is more likely to achieve a higher valuation.
  • Consult a local estate agent: Engaging with a local estate agent for advice tailored to your property and the Edinburgh market can guide you in making the most impactful improvements.

  By focusing on these areas, you can enhance your property's market appeal and secure a more accurate valuation. Utilising services such as our free property valuation can help determine the most effective ways to increase your home's asking price.

• What is the difference between an online and in-person property valuation?

  Understanding the valuation process is essential. Property valuations can be conducted either online or in-person, each offering unique benefits tailored to your needs.

  Online property valuations provide a quick and convenient way to get an instant property value estimate. Typically, online tools tend to utilise data from HM Land Registry and local house price information and offer a rough estimate based on location and recent sale prices. This way you can get a glimpse of what your property might be worth. However, it's best to use a professional estate agent to avoid creating false expectations.

  In contrast, an in-person property valuation conducted by an experienced local estate agent offers an accurate valuation. Harper Macleod estate agents consider various factors that are not covered in property databases. We consider the property's condition, unique features, local amenities, and any home improvements amongst other aspects. This approach ensures that the valuation report reflects the current value of your property which can be used to start the sale process.

• Which regions do you service?

  At Harper Macleod Edinburgh, we are proud to serve a wide range of areas within Edinburgh, covering all postcodes from EH1 to EH42. Our extensive coverage ensures that if you are considering selling your property, we are well-positioned to support you throughout the process.

• Do estate agents take photographs during a house valuation?

  Our estate agents do not take photographs during property valuations.

  In case you are worried that your property does not look its best at the moment, we can assure you that our estate agents will acknowledge the fact that lived-in homes simply look different and capture the overall potential of your property.

  In addition, our estate agents can offer advice on how to enhance your home's appeal. This can range from tips such as maximising natural light and space to make it more inviting, or updating bathroom or kitchen fixtures that can make a drastic difference on how welcoming the property appears.

  The goal of a free property valuation is to estimate your property's worth accurately, considering local market conditions, amenities, and your home's unique features. Our expert estate agents provide insights to help you prepare your property for the market and aim to provide a valuation that reflects your property's true potential.

• Can an estate agent conduct a remortgage valuation?

  For formal mortgage applications, lenders often require a valuation conducted by a surveyor they've approved, ensuring an impartial and accurate valuation that considers all aspects of the property and market. It's recommended to arrange for a professional valuation to meet these specific requirements, despite the initial insight provided by an estate agent's estimate.

  Remember, while an estate agent can give you a valuable insight into your house price and assist in the selling process, the formal valuation for remortgaging should align with the lender's criteria, which may necessitate a separate, more detailed assessment.