Should you use an estate agent or sell privately?
There's no single right answer. An estate agent does the work for you and charges for it. Selling privately means doing more yourself and keeping more of your money. Here's an honest look at both.
What it typically costs on a £200,000 home
| Way of selling | Typical agent fee | On a £200,000 home | When you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| High street agent, sole agency | 1.2% to 1.8% incl. VAT | £2,400 to £3,600 | On completion, usually no sale no fee |
| Online agent | £300 to £1,500 plus VAT | £360 to £1,800 | Usually upfront, even if you don't sell |
| Private sale on HownIt | None | £0 | Nothing to pay |
Whichever way you sell, you'll still need a solicitor or conveyancer and a valid EPC.
What an estate agent does for you
- Values your home and advises on price
- Takes photos and writes the advert
- Lists it on the big portals
- Arranges and hosts viewings
- Negotiates offers and chases the sale
What you do when you sell privately
- Research your price (look at similar homes for sale and recently sold nearby)
- Take good photos and write an honest description
- Answer messages and show people round
- Agree a price directly with your buyer
- Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer, as you would with an agent
Selling privately might suit you if: you're comfortable showing people round and talking about price, you know your local market, and you'd like to keep the agent's fee.
An agent might suit you better if: you're short on time, you'd rather not handle viewings or negotiations, or you want the widest possible national audience.
How HownIt helps you sell privately
- Free to list, no commission, no contract
- A simple step-by-step listing: photos, description, key features, price, list
- Buyers message you safely inside HownIt
- Every listing checked by our team before it goes live
- Guides and FAQs on EPCs, viewings and offers
Try selling privately, it's free
List my homeFee figures are typical ranges from published 2026 surveys, checked on 3 November 2026. Your own agent's fees may differ.
Sources
- HomeOwners Alliance: Estate agent fees 2026 (opens in a new tab) (Updated 6 Oct 2026)
- Property Investments UK: Can you sell a house privately on Rightmove? (opens in a new tab) (Updated July 2026)