Question 1

How much does it cost to sell your house?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of costs to consider. Firstly, there’s the estate agent fee. At Strike, we don't charge commissions, but some estate agents will charge you an overall fee and may charge extra for things like advertising and negotiation. Always check the details carefully. Then there are other costs to consider — solicitor’s fees, moving fees, any tax you may be liable for. Check out our selling guide for the full picture.

Question 2

Why is selling with an online agent different?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of ways online estate agents are different from traditional ones — but not every online estate agent is the same. The basic difference is online estate agents don’t have brick-and-mortar locations, but use technology and their expertise to sell homes more efficiently. But they’re all different. Some online estate agents will still charge hefty fees, but we’ll sell your home for free. At Strike, we put you in control. We’re here to sell your home on your terms. For free. That’s what sets us apart.

Question 3

Does it cost money to go on Strike?

Accepted Answer

With us, no. We provide photos, floorplans, and advertising on the major property sites like Rightmove and Zoopla for no fee at all. You’ll only have to pay if you choose one of our optional services like our unlimited hosted viewings service. But if you don’t need these, that’s great — we’ll sell your home for free. You’re in the driver’s seat, after all. With some estate agents, you’ ll pay an overall fee to be listed with them— and you may even pay extra for advertising.That’ s why you should always read the fine print.

Question 4

What is free and what costs extra?

Accepted Answer

We offer a full estate agency service for free — that means photos, floorplans, negotiating your sale, and being by your side right through until moving day. We even give free mortgage advice. Optional extras, like professional video trailers or hosted viewings, cost more — but only if you choose to use them. We're here to help you sell your home, however works best for you.

Question 5

How can Strike really be free?

Accepted Answer

Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not. Strike really does sell your home for free. Firstly, we don’t have to pay expensive overheads because we don’t have any high street offices. That makes a huge difference. But the Strike model is different from other estate agents in that we only make money through our partners or our optional extras. If you choose to use one of them for mortgage advice or moving services, we get a fee — and we’ll always be upfront about that. If you don’t want to use them, that’s OK. We’re still happy to sell your home for free. We just want you to be happy with how you’re selling your home, whatever that looks like for you. Want to learn more? Don’t hesitate to ask. We’re always happy to share.

Question 6

How do online estate agents make money?

Accepted Answer

Good question. We can’t speak for everyone, but we offer a fully managed free service. We’ll charge you a small fee if you use one of our optional extras and we get a referral fee if you use one of our partners. But you’re never under any obligation to use them and we’ll always sell your house for free, no matter what. Other companies charge a flat fee to sell your home — even if it doesn’t end up being sold — which can still cost you hundreds of pounds. We think that “free” is better for everyone.

Question 7

Do I have to use one of your recommended partners in order to sell for free?

Accepted Answer

Never. Our recommend partners are just that — recommended. If you don't want to use them, that's not a problem. We'll still sell your home for free.

Question 8

How much do you make from 3rd party referrals?

Accepted Answer

That depends. Like most mortgage brokers, we get a fee from the lender. But unlike most brokers, we don’t take a fee from our clients. So you can be sure that we’re always giving you great, unbiased advice. For free. Whenever we point you toward one of our other partners, we'll let you know. When they give you a quote, our referral will be included — so you always know exactly where your money is going.

Question 9

Do I have to host my own viewings?

Accepted Answer

We think that you’re the best person to show off your home — you know all of its nooks and crannies, after all. If you’ve loved living in your home, you’ll be able to tell other people why they’ll love it, too. Want us to take care of it? That works, too. We offer hosted viewings, perfect for if you’re out of town or want to sit back and relax.

Question 10

How long does a home viewing last?

Accepted Answer

That depends. Some viewings might only last five or ten minutes, others may last much, much longer. Larger homes can take longer to view and some people are just more thorough than others. Just because someone moves through the house quickly, doesn’t mean they’re not interested. Sometimes people can look in every single cupboard and then not make an offer. Some viewers do a very quick initial viewing and then come back with a friend. Everybody’s different.

Question 11

What if I don’t want to host a viewing?

Accepted Answer

Not going to be in town? Worried about stage fright? We get it. If you don’t want to host your own viewings, that’s totally OK. We offer a hosted viewing service. We’re here to help you sell your home, in whatever way works for you.

Question 12

How do I get my home ready to view?

Accepted Answer

We recommend going through the full home viewing checklist in order to make sure your home looks its best and is ready to view. At the very least, make sure your home is as clean and tidy as possible — with no clutter or distractions. And a plate of biscuits never hurts.

Question 13

How long does it take to sell your house?

Accepted Answer

It depends. That average time from when a property goes up for sale to when an offer is accepted is around 10 weeks — but it can vary dramatically. Some houses might sell within days, while some can take months and months — especially if the asking price isn’t realistic. Our local expert will talk you through where your home should sit in the market for a quick sale, if that’s a priority for you.

Question 14

How can you sell your house quickly?

Accepted Answer

So, you want to strike quickly. One option is selling at an auction, but you might not get the price you’re looking for — and there are often hidden fees, so you have to do your research. If you’re trying to sell your home in a hurry, then the right price point and proper marketing are the best way to get there. Agents can make it clear that you’re “a motivated seller” — which normally means open to offers — and start getting potential buyers through the door.

Question 15

How do I find out the market value of my house?

Accepted Answer

There are a few different ways. There are a lot of online valuation calculators that will use some basic information about your home to give you an approximate valuation. But if you want a more accurate idea of the market value of your home, it’s always good to have an in-person valuation. We offer valuations with a property expert for free, with no obligation to sell with us.

Question 16

What adds the most value to a house?

Accepted Answer

Normally space. More is more when it comes to a home — so adding extensions or additions can often add significant property value. But if you don’t want to invest a lot, a fresh coat of neutral paint or adding an extra wardrobe can help make your home more desirable, without a huge investment. Our property expert can talk you through any changes you might want to make to get the most out of your home.

Question 17

What fees can I expect when selling my house?

Accepted Answer

At Strike, we know it pays to think ahead. The amount you’ll pay in fees depends on the type of estate agent you use — bricks and mortar agents tend to be higher than online options — but you’ll also have to think about final bills, moving costs, and any tax implications. Sticking with professionals who are transparent and upfront about their costs can save you from any nasty shocks. Looking for a better way ? We’ ve got your back.Learn more about how to sell your home for free.

Question 18

Can I use two agents to sell my house?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Most estate agents will allow you to have multiple estate agents covering the same property — but it can cost you. Normally you’ll end up paying more if you list with multiple agents, so make sure it’s worth it.

Question 19

Do I need a solicitor to sell a house?

Accepted Answer

Technically you don’t have to have one — but we’d definitely recommend it. The amount of legal jargon and paperwork to go through can be a lot to take in and, without a solicitor, you’re at risk of missing crucial checks and searches. Plus, a solicitor protects your interests throughout the sale and can help with any negotiations that come up. If you want to feel like you’re ticking all of the right boxes, you’ll want a solicitor on your side.

Question 20

How much tax do you pay when you sell your house?

Accepted Answer

Smart question. First, there’s good news — if you’re selling your only property (or your main home), you won’t pay any capital gains tax on the profits of the sale. If it’s a second home or you’re a landlord, you’re likely to have to pay capital gains. These taxes aren’t on the entire cost of the property, but on any gains it’s made since you bought it. Not sure where you stand? Always check with a professional to make sure you stay on the right side of HMRC. They mean business.

Question 21

Do I have to pay stamp duty when selling a house?

Accepted Answer

Nope. Stamp duty is for buyers. When you’re selling, you may run into capital gains tax — but if it’s your primary residence you shouldn’t have to pay that either. Go ahead and strike it off your list. (Just be sure to double-check with your solicitor, just in case.)Of course, if you’ re selling and buying, that’ s another story— check out our stamp duty guide to help guide you through.

Question 22

Did Strike used to be Housesimple?

Accepted Answer

Yes — well spotted! Strike was formerly HouseSimple. We’ve kept a lot of things the same (like selling your home for free) but we’ve updated our site and created a mobile hub to make your move even easier.

"Faultless service & great customer experience. I'm recommending them to
everyone I know."

"Excellent service,
fabulous contact.
You know what's happening all
along the journey of your
house sale or purchase."

"The future in selling
houses ... Best experience of an estate agent I've
ever had."

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"Faultless service & great customer experience. I'm recommending them to everyone I know."

"Excellent service, fabulous contact. You know what's happening all along the journey of your house sale or purchase."

"The future in selling houses ... Best experience of an estate agent I've ever had."