Maths, Myths & Momentum
1. The Math: What Has Actually Sold
This is the backbone of any valuation. We start where a RICS surveyor starts:
- Sold prices, not asking prices
- Recent data (ideally the last 3–6 months)
- Like‑for‑like homes — size, layout, plot, condition, street dynamics
- Adjustments for things buyers genuinely pay for (south‑facing garden, modern heating, parking, finish)
This is the part no agent should be improvising. It’s evidence, not optimism.
2. The Momentum: Who’s Buying Right Now
Sold data tells us what happened. Momentum tells us what’s happening today.
We look at:
- how many active, proceedable buyers we have for homes like yours
- what else those buyers could choose instead
- whether similar homes are selling quickly or sticking
- whether the market is warming up or cooling down
This is where the “real world” meets the spreadsheet.
3. The Physical Reality: What Buyers Will Actually Feel
This is where automated tools fall apart.
Buyers don’t buy square footage — they buy how a home feels.
We look at:
- kerb appeal
- finish and presentation
- layout flow
- noise levels
- light
- the “first 10 seconds” effect
- material information (school catchments, transport, broadband, EPC, restrictions)
These things can shift value by 2–5% either way. And they’re invisible to algorithms.
4. The Context: Your Plans, Your Timeline, Your Next Step
This is the part many agents skip — and the part that matters most. A valuation only makes sense when we understand:
- where you’re going next
- how quickly you need to move
- what “success” looks like for you
- whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or resetting after a bad experience
The number isn’t the goal. The number is a major part of the strategy.
