Are you considering selling your home? If so, you need to look at the options available to you and choose the one that makes the most sense for you, your family and your bank balance. There are four main options open to you:

This is a good option if you need to sell quickly and you’re prepared to accept a slightly lower price for your home. The quick house sale market allows you to sell to a dedicated company or buyer for a cash price, allowing you to release the money that’s tied up in your property as quickly as possible. The sale is guaranteed and straightforward so if you need to sell to avoid repossession, to settle a divorce or to move overseas, for example, this is an idea way to do it.

This is how most people choose to sell their homes, partly because it’s a well-established route and partly because it is likely to raise the most money. Remember, however, that unlike the quick house sale market, there’s no guarantee that your house will sell and even if you accept an offer, problems in the property chain can mean that you lose the sale. If you’re in no hurry to sell, then use an estate agent; if you need to guarantee your sale and complete quickly, this may not be the best choice for you.

Many people are choosing to ignore estate agents and sell privately. You can advertise your house online fairly cheaply and even have your own “For Sale” signs made up. In all, it can cost as little as £500 to sell your home privately. Bear in mind, though, that you are still likely to be selling to someone in a property chain and that all those dangers still exist. In addition, if you have also put your property up for sale through an estate agent, you’ll need to check your contract carefully or you may end up paying the estate agent even if the sale comes from your private marketing.

If your property needs some attention or is proving difficult to sell through the traditional route, you might consider putting it up for auction. There’s absolutely not guarantee of price here. The property auction company will value your property and put a guide price on it, but they can’t promise that’s the price you’ll get. It may be worth considering the quick house sale market again in these circumstances, where properties are bought no matter what condition they are in and your sale and price are guaranteed.