Frequently asked questions
Whether buying, selling or simply browsing then help is at hand. We've listed some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to guide you through the process and help you make sense of it all...
What's the difference between us and estate agents?
We are a for sale by owner website and are therefore not controlled by the Estate Agents Act 1979 as we are a 'business providing advertising space for property, with no estate agent function.'
Can I use an estate agent as well as privateHQ.com?
The answer is yes. If you haven't signed an agreement with your estate agent yet, you are perfectly within your rights to negotiate the terms of contract before you sign to avoid paying some or any of the agency commission if you sell it privately.
If you have already signed a contract with an estate agent, you may still be liable for the full commission, however you need to check the terms and conditions. Go to 'How it works' for more details.
What area do you cover?
Anyone can advertise their home with us provided the property is within easy distance of a London tube or mainline station. Please see our “List of acceptable Postcodes” for a complete list. If your postcode is not listed and you feel it should be, then please contact us directly.
Why don't you provide 'for sale' boards?
We are a for sale by owner site and therefore cannot provide you directly with a branded 'for sale' board although we do give you the details of a supplier who can provide you with your own personalised 'for sale' board.
How do I upload the photos of my property using a digital camera?
Every digital camera will have instructions on how to transfer your photos on to the computer. In most instances, you will have a USB lead from your camera that goes in to the USB port on your computer. This enables you to transfer the photos from your camera to the computer. Once you've saved the images you want, you can upload them directly on to privateHQ.com by going in to 'My pHQ' section and clicking on the 'Upload' button.
What if I don't have a digital camera?
If you don't have digital camera then don't panic, there is another way. All you need to do is take the pictures from your non-digital camera, get them developed and then use a scanner to scan them on to your computer drive. If you don't have a scanner at home, then most internet cafe's will be able to help you and you can then save them on to a disc.
How do I change my property details, photo's etc once I've submitted them?
That's easy. All you have to do is go to 'My pHQ', log in and go to 'Edit a property'. This will give you access to your property details and you'll be able to amend accordingly.
How much does it cost to advertise with you?
£5 for 3 months. For more information on this click here
Do I need a Home Information Pack (HIP)?
These are now compulsory for all properties. To find out more about HIPs and what they include click here.
How do people find my property?
privateHQ is designed for Londoners and marketed to Londoners. To see just some of our marketing channels click here.
How long does it take before I can see my property on the site?
Almost immediately. Once you have posted and paid for your ad, it will be automatically uploaded on to the site.
How do I know that the property information supplied is correct?
It is impossible for privateHQ.com to have complete control of the information submitted however, we are very strict with regards to our terms & conditions of contract. If we discover that someone has been dishonest, their details will be removed immediately.
Do I have to sign any contracts?
No you don't. All you have to do is read through our terms & conditions and tick the box to say that you have agreed to them and then you're done!
How do I value my property?
You can do a couple of things. Firstly, you can research the area by looking at similar properties that are on the market at the moment via the websites of local estate agents or you can go to www.nethouseprices.com where you can find out the price of properties sold in your street. You can also visit www.landregistry.co.uk and pay £2 to get a more detailed breakdown of the property.
Is it legally safer to use an estate agent?
No. Estate agents have nothing to do with the legal side of buying and selling a property and your solicitor and mortgage advisor will be able to guide you through the sale in exactly the same way that they would if you went through an estate agent. You never know, you might even save yourself some money as there's less toing an froing between people.
No good at negotiating a price?
It doesn't matter! Some people are better at it than others and if you're not comfortable with negotiating the price of your property with a potential buyer, then why not ask a friend or a family member to act as the go-between? After all, who would you trust more - someone you know really well or a local estate agent?
Still need answers to your questions?
If you're still confused or have a question, then drop us a line and we'll try our best to help you. Please note, privateHQ can not relay offers or help in any part of the negotiation on your behalf. If you wish to view or make an offer on any of the properties on our site, then please click on the relevant link within the property description to email the seller directly.
