How Does A Virtual Property Valuation Work?

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Horton and Garton can offer free property valuations without needing to come into your home

Want to sell your home during the pandemic? Horton and Garton are offering free virtual property valuations meaning they don't have to come into your home to conduct a market appraisal.

So, how does a virtual valuation work?

Horton and Garton have conducted many market appraisals virtually throughout the pandemic and even before when it was more convenient for a seller, there was the possibility to provide advice from a distance.

There are several ways to value a property virtually depending on your plans:

• Live video walk-through: A video call where you show us around the property, allowing us to ask questions and discuss points throughout.
• Pre-recorded walk-through: A video walk through that you record and send to us.
• Telephone appraisal: If you'd prefer a general idea of price and market conditions an appraisal over the phone might work best.
• Desktop appraisal: By sending all the relevant information to us including your address, size of the property and any other details we'll be able to provide a price range.

Can you sell a property virtually?

Yes, and the Horton and Garton Chiswick office have sold properties this way. In spring 2020 the Horton and Garton Chiswick office did just this.

Paul valued a property virtually, photographs and a virtual tour were captured by a professional team in full PPE and adhering to guidelines, the property was showcased online and following an online viewing a buyer put an offer forward. The transaction successfully concluded with both parties very happy to have been able to find and complete a property sale during the pandemic.

It's important for sellers to note that most buyers do tend to expect an in-person viewing at some point prior to committing to a purchase, though much of the process can be done virtually with little need for human contact.

Advice on pricing and strategy

There are several factors that are considered when coming to a price and strategy for sale.

• Condition of the property – A property that has been recently renovated to a high standard will have a vastly different price than one that needs total refurbishment.
• Tenure – Leasehold, share of freehold or freehold – all can impact the price, especially if a lease has only a few years remaining.
• Scope for improvement – whether there is the ability to extend a property, sometimes current owners will have obtained planning but not done the works.
• Comparable evidence – Accessing a database of completed sales, as a valuer for a bank would do, we assess the value according to the recent sales of similar properties nearby.
• Local market – The current climate of the local market and demand for the type of property you have to sell can affect the price.
• Timescales - The time pressure on your sale can dictate the pricing strategy.
• Experience – After many years working locally Paul has his finger on the pulse and a wealth of local experience enabling him to price a property accurately and put in place a strategy for success.

Off market sales

With a book of committed purchasers and a unique ability for match making it could be the case that Paul is able to sell your property without it ever being advertised.

A discreet off market sale might be preferable for a number of reasons but during a pandemic it might be particularly appealing as it avoids the need for people to enter your home.

Horton and Garton can facilitate an off-market sale so please do get in touch if this is of particular interest.

Buyers are waiting for homes in Chiswick

Since the beginning of the year, despite the lockdown, we've seen staggering numbers of buyers contact us for each new property we bring to the market – on average around 25 buyers have registered their interest in the days following a new property launch.

95% of the enquiries we're receiving are for family homes – the demand is far outweighing the supply of these homes to the market.

Whether you'd like a relaxed and speculative conversation surrounding your property and plans or you've decided it's time to sell and want an accurate valuation and a strategy for success – Paul is available on 020 8996 5120 or 07793466463.

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February 13, 2021