The Insider’s Guide: How Estate Agents Value Your Home
Learn exactly how estate agents value your home, which key factors truly influence the price, and how to get the most accurate valuation before selling.
The Insider’s Guide: How Estate Agents Value Your Home
Ever wondered how estate agents actually value a house? Whether you’re thinking about selling or just curious about your home’s worth, understanding the valuation process is the first step to setting a smart asking price and selling with confidence.
We’ll break down how estate agents value a house — what they look for, what influences the final figure, and how to prepare.
How long estate agents take to value a house
A typical in-person valuation takes 20–50 minutes, depending on the size and condition of your property. You’ll usually receive your estimated asking price during the visit or shortly afterwards.
With Purplebricks, you can also book your free house valuation online in just a few clicks.
What estate agents look for during a house valuation
Here’s what estate agents assess during a valuation:
Overall condition – Signs of wear, maintenance, and upgrades
Property size – Square footage and number of bedrooms/bathrooms
Layout and flow – How usable and appealing the layout is
Fixtures and fittings – Kitchens, bathrooms, windows, heating
Kerb appeal – First impressions matter from the street
Location – Schools, transport, amenities, and demand in your area
Market activity – Recent sold prices and buyer interest locally
Storage space – Loft access, built-ins, sheds or garages
Outdoor space – Garden, patio, balcony, or parking
Unique selling points – Features that set your home apart
The process usually includes a walkthrough, a local market comparison, and a discussion with you. You can read our house valuation guide for a full breakdown of what to expect.
Key factors that affect how estate agents value houses
Several factors impact your valuation:
Property condition: Homes in better shape usually achieve higher prices.
Location: Desirable postcodes, good schools, and transport links can boost value.
Recent upgrades: New kitchens, bathrooms, or extensions increase appeal.
Parking and storage: Driveways, garages, and off-street parking can raise value and attract more interest - especially where space is at a premium.
Market demand: In a busy market, prices are often more competitive.
Comparable sales: Recent local sales of similar homes guide valuation figures.
Homeowners’ most common questions about valuations
What increases a house’s value the most?
Upgrades that add usable space, like extra bathrooms or loft conversions, tend to boost value the most. Energy efficiency improvements also count.
Features like a modern kitchen or landscaped garden may not raise the valuation figure significantly, but they can make your home more attractive to buyers and speed up the sale.
How much does it cost for an estate agent to value a house?
Most estate agents, including Purplebricks, offer valuations for free.
What devalues a house the most?
Poor upkeep, outdated interiors, structural issues, or noisy surroundings.
What are the three methods of valuing a property?
1. Market comparison
Also known as the comparable sales method, this is the most common approach. It looks at the recent sale prices of similar properties in the same area to estimate a realistic market value for your home.
2. Income-based valuation
Typically used for rental or investment properties, this method calculates value based on the income the property generates. It considers rental yields and return on investment to estimate worth.
3. Cost to rebuild
This method estimates how much it would cost to rebuild the property from scratch, including materials, labour, and professional fees. It’s often used for insurance purposes or specialist valuations.
Tips to help your estate agent value your house faster
Tidy and declutter so your home’s best features are visible
Make sure all rooms are accessible during the visit
Highlight recent upgrades or unique selling points
Have basic paperwork ready (e.g. EPC, planning permissions)
And if you’re still updating things, check our guide on what not to fix when selling a house.
Get your instant house valuation today
Now that you know how estate agents value a house, the next step is easy. Get started with an instant house valuation, or book a visit from one of our experts.
Want more support? Learn about online vs high street estate agents, or sell your property with Purplebricks today.
Still have questions? Contact Purplebricks - we’re here to help.