[5kings]

Hi

Anyone know how accurate these online valuations are? (in UK)

I have put our house details in two different websites, and both are coming out nearly £10k less than what we need, as we have set ourselves a minimum we are happy to move to NZ with.

Once we have our kitchen finished, and have completed the majority of the DIY I will get an estate agent round to value it, but I am concerned we will need to rethink our budget somehow, cos I am not giving up!

Helen

[victoria24]

i used to use online vals a lot in the uk for work and they have about a 10% swing in normal conditions. explain to your agent what your motivation is as they tend to try and get you to tell them a price. i ask for their price and then negotiate the fee based on them selling within x amount of time for the fee they want at their price and then half the fee thereafter. if they cant sell the house within a reasonable time for the price they set, would you want them anyway?

have a look at www.housepricereports.com for recent sales in your area:nice1

[5kings]

Thanks, just had a look.
I think it looks as though we might have to expect less than we wanted, and just hope they don't fall much further or our plans will be scuppered!

I wish I had a crystal ball to find out how prices will look this time next year! Is it worth trying to sell asap, then renting here until we are ready to move????

Too many questions going through my head, sorry!

Helen

[charliesdad]

hi,
you'll get different figures depending on which site you use. My personal opinion ( i am an estate agent ) is to get 3-4 local agents out and they will quite happily give you the current value. When they ask much you think its worth, just say you have no idea, after all they're supposed to be advising you !! depending on location most house prices have come down 11% on the same time last year and in some locations the property values are back to 2004 prices. Nationwide have a house price indicator on their website. also, if you log onto rightmove, you can see what houses in your local area are for sale for. If you want one persons opinion, house prices appear to have stabilised where i work, and I am getting offers of very near the asking price for the first time in 18 months, but the houses i am selling are competetively priced i.e they have either reduced in line with the market or they have come onto the market at the right price.
good luck with it.

[Ngeru]

I think when looking at house prices you just take what you can get at the time, nobody knows where they will be in a year from now. On the plus side you'll be moving into similar market conditions in NZ and I am sure your plans won't be scuppered by the lower prices, as you'll simply choose a house here according to the finances available at the time.

It's all swings and roundabouts, your biggest concern ought to be on the exchange rate, as a few % on that can make a huge difference in the value of your capital. Especially if your budgets and plans are built on achieving a certain rate.