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Online vs in-person valuations: Which should you choose?

10.06.25
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Determining your property's value is one of the first steps when considering selling your home. These days, you've got choices – a quick online valuation or an in-person assessment from a local estate agent. But which option provides the most accurate picture of what your property is actually worth? Let's explore the differences so you can decide which option is best for you.

How accurate are online property valuations?

Online valuations offer convenience – within seconds, you get an estimate by entering your postcode and basic details. Using algorithms and Land Registry data, these free tools provide an instant ballpark figure.

However, these digital valuations have limitations. They can't assess interior quality, extensions, or improvements made since the property last sold, meaning that your beautiful kitchen renovation won't factor into the calculation.

Are in-person valuations more accurate?

In-person valuations from professional estate agents provide a comprehensive assessment of your property's worth. An estate agent can give you the most accurate property valuation by visiting your home and considering its unique features alongside current market conditions.

Estate agents notice details online tools miss – quality of finish, natural light, and atmosphere. They also bring local knowledge, understanding of recent sales, demand patterns, and local area developments that might impact value and will be able to answer any questions about the property sales process.

Pros and cons comparison

Online valuations: 

✓ Free and instant results 

✓ Available 24/7, no appointment needed 

✓ Good starting point with no pressure 

✗ Limited accuracy with outdated data 

✗ Cannot assess property condition or improvements

✗ No personalised advice for maximising value


In-person valuations: 

✓ Greater accuracy through physical inspection 

✓ Professional assessment of condition and quality 

✓ Local market expertise with tailored advice 

✓ Most estate agent valuations are completely free 

✗ Requires scheduling an appointment 

✗ Some agents might overvalue to win your business


Why choose a local estate agent?

Our team of local agents are strategically based across 5 branches and have years of expertise in your specific area. They understand local area dynamics, school catchments, and hyper-local factors influencing buyer decisions. They’ll establish accurate market values, helping you make an informed decision about your house sale.

We can also suggest which improvements might yield the best return before selling and offer professional support throughout the entire selling process, from presentation to pricing strategy.

While online valuations offer convenience, they simply can't match the accuracy of an in-person valuation from a professional estate agent. 

Remember that the most accurate valuation is one that considers not just your property's features, but also current market conditions and buyer behaviour in your specific area – something that only a knowledgeable local estate agent can provide.

Contact us if you’d like one of our knowledgeable agents to provide a valuation for your property.

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Search for your next property

Search for your next property

Please view our current listings. Alternatively, get in touch if you don’t see any listings that match your criteria. We provide expert guidance to support your property search.

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What's your property worth?

What's your property worth?

Don’t hesitate to contact Hearnes for more information on how we will accurately value your property. Our team are on hand to fully explain our property valuation service so you know exactly what to expect.

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Marketing your property

Marketing your property

Do you have a question about how we’ll market and sell your property? Read on for answers to all your queries about our comprehensive service for sellers today. We guarantee 100% clarity from the outset.

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Latest info

Latest info

We write regular posts to share information on the world of property. Many of our posts provide real-time insights into local property trends. Take a look to find out more.

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Our reviews

Our reviews

Here at Hearnes, we have many happy clients. Read some of our reviews to see how we have helped buyers and sellers just like you.

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View our branches

View our branches

We have five branches, each dedicated to helping buyers and sellers in their local area. Find information, including contact details, for each of our branches here.

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Meet our team

Meet our team

Each of our branches has a dedicated and professional team ready to help buyers and sellers in their local area. Find out more about each of our team members here.

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Where service counts

Where service counts

Here at Hearnes, we are a people business operating within the property sector. We are all about service and going the extra mile to ensure our clients get the home they want as smoothly as possible.

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Contact us

Contact us

We're always happy to help. Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy a new one, or just want to chat with someone about how we can help with a stage in the process, get in touch, and we'll see what we can do!

Aerial photo of Wimborne Minister

Search for your next property

Search for your next property

Please view our current listings. Alternatively, get in touch if you don’t see any listings that match your criteria. We provide expert guidance to support your property search.

Photo of a river

What's your property worth?

What's your property worth?

Don’t hesitate to contact Hearnes for more information on how we will accurately value your property. Our team are on hand to fully explain our property valuation service so you know exactly what to expect.

Aerial photo of Badbury Rings

Marketing your property

Marketing your property

Do you have a question about how we’ll market and sell your property? Read on for answers to all your queries about our comprehensive service for sellers today. We guarantee 100% clarity from the outset.

Photo of a bench overlooking a river

Latest info

Latest info

We write regular posts to share information on the world of property. Many of our posts provide real-time insights into local property trends. Take a look to find out more.

Photo of Poole beach huts

Our reviews

Our reviews

Here at Hearnes, we have many happy clients. Read some of our reviews to see how we have helped buyers and sellers just like you.

Photo of a woodland walk

View our branches

View our branches

We have five branches, each dedicated to helping buyers and sellers in their local area. Find information, including contact details, for each of our branches here.

Photo of a country walk

Meet our team

Meet our team

Each of our branches has a dedicated and professional team ready to help buyers and sellers in their local area. Find out more about each of our team members here.

Aerial photo of Blue Lagoon, Lilliput, Poole

Where service counts

Where service counts

Here at Hearnes, we are a people business operating within the property sector. We are all about service and going the extra mile to ensure our clients get the home they want as smoothly as possible.

Photo showing an anchor in front of a building

Contact us

Contact us

We're always happy to help. Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy a new one, or just want to chat with someone about how we can help with a stage in the process, get in touch, and we'll see what we can do!