A market appraisal gives you an indication of how much your property is worth in today's market. One of our agents will visit your home, compare it to recent local sales, and provide an estimated asking price, free of charge.
Having served London and the South East since 1872, our extensive local knowledge and longstanding market presence enable us to deliver valuations based on experience, insight, and a deep understanding of the areas we cover.
What happens during a market appraisal
Firstly, we consider the property and the factors likely to matter to buyers in your area: size, layout, condition, and any standout features. A period conversion in Chelsea appeals to a very different buyer from a detached family house in Oxshott, and the appraisal reflects that.
We then examine comparable sales, what similar properties nearby have actually sold for rather than what they were listed at. We also review broader market conditions: how many active buyers there are, how much competing stock is available, and whether seasonal or economic shifts are affecting local demand.
What you get is a recommended asking price, along with guidance on how to position and prepare your property for sale. We don’t simply give you a figure. We tell you what it means and what to do with it.
Who needs a market appraisal
Most people approach us with a view to selling, and a market appraisal is the logical first step. It gives you a realistic guide price so you can plan the rest of the process with some certainty.
Landlords use appraisals too, especially when reviewing rental pricing or deciding whether to sell a buy-to-let property, and investors looking at the London market often want our view on likely returns before committing.
You do not need to be ready to list immediately. Many of our clients request an appraisal months before they intend to move, simply to understand where they stand. It costs nothing and carries no obligation.
Book a market appraisal with our team.
Market appraisal vs property valuation
Market appraisals and property valuations serve different purposes.
A market appraisal is an informal estimate from an estate agent. It is free, designed to help you price a property for sale, and is based on current buyer activity and recent comparable sales.
A formal property valuation is a paid assessment carried out by a qualified RICS surveyor, following the standards in the RICS Red Book. It produces an independent figure and is required for mortgages, probate, divorce settlements, and tax matters. Surveyors tend to be more conservative than agents, because their figure has to protect a lender or satisfy a legal requirement.
The two figures do not always match. A market appraisal reflects what buyers will pay right now; a formal valuation reflects what the property is worth on paper. Both are useful, and for anyone selling a property or weighing up property investment decisions, the two work well together.
