Selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make, yet the process is often dominated by guesswork and sales tactics, according to entrepreneur Evren Ergin. After more than a decade in residential property, the founder of property platform ValuQ says too many sellers still pick an estate agent simply because they offered the highest valuation or the lowest fee—an approach that frequently backfires.
High Valuation Can Cost Homeowners
Ergin argues that overvaluing properties to win instructions is rife in the sector. He recalls being encouraged to overvalue properties by 15% to 20% at previous jobs, leading to unrealistic promises and eventual price reductions. One elderly client had made life decisions based on a valuation that later proved far too high.
ValuQ Aims to Bring Evidence-Based Choice
These experiences led Ergin to launch ValuQ, a platform where homeowners submit property details once and receive written valuations and proposals from local agents that can be compared side by side. He believes sellers should focus on which valuation is backed by the strongest evidence, not just the highest figure.
Ergin also stresses that homeowners should stay in control of their data. With ValuQ expanding beyond its Essex pilot, he hopes the platform will make choosing an agent less stressful and more informed.
