How do you value a house?
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Discussion

mrmaggit

Original Poster:

10,146 posts

272 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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I have worked out how to value a business, but I need a hand with this one.

My father inherited a semi-detached house with sitting tenants, and has asked me how much he should ask for it to sell it. He doesn't want to be a landlord any more (he inherited it from his father, but is getting on and can't be bothered with it any more).

He has some property managers wanting to buy it, but no idea if they'll offer a fair price. Without going either to auction, or getting a number of different companies involved, how do you value it?

The tenants are getting on a bit, but have some children, which, as I understand it, affects the price the house is worth. They are also on a tenancy agreement which basically means they pay only 2/3 of what the going rate should be.

I thought maybe ten years gross rent plus 25-30% of the current market value as fair, can any of the PH massive give me any guidelines?

The only offer he's had so far is "between 30 and 75% of the market value" which is no help at all.

Thanks any help you can be.

Companies tend to be valued at around ten times a years nett profit before tax, plus stock and cash-in-the bank, from what I can surmise.

Jasandjules

72,016 posts

253 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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You look at similar houses in the area...

Or get three estate agents round.....

Or you play "I think of a number".....

singlecoil

35,787 posts

270 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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Jasandjules said:
You look at similar houses in the area...

Or get three estate agents round.....

Or you play "I think of a number".....
But what if no nearby houses have sitting tenants with children and a tenancy agreement?

Jasandjules

72,016 posts

253 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
quotequote all
singlecoil said:
But what if no nearby houses have sitting tenants with children and a tenancy agreement?
The value of the house is the value of the house though is it not? The question of rental income is a different matter. Both are matters which an Estate Agent can value though...

Then how long is left on the tenancy will have a bearing on how easy it will be to sell the place, of course it can still be sold as an investment property with sitting tenants - plenty of them on rightmove etc..

nogden

22 posts

211 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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it's a toughy

nogden

22 posts

211 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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I thought it said...how do you value a horse.

btwhacker

2 posts

180 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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I thought it was based on how many hands the horse is, what colour, breeding etc,.... I believe chestnuts are valued quite highly?

nogden

22 posts

211 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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only to squirrels

TimCrighton

996 posts

240 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
quotequote all
The value will be dependant on the tenancy that is in place, if its a tenancy for life as it where then this will to some extent depend on the tenant that is in place.

This is basically a question of valuing the 'Investment Value' that is to say the value of the investment created by the rental income plus a capital sum which is would generally be based on the present value minus the expected deferred period. In order to do it properly you'd need to obtain yourself something called 'Parry's Tables' which would give you the formula for the deferred value, or at least provide a much better indication of the whole transaction before we could advise.


Ed.M

107 posts

232 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
quotequote all
The rough rule of thumb I have come across is to subtract the tenants age from 100. This figure is then the percentage of the normal market value.

As with all approximations it won't always hold true, but does seem to be fairly accurate.

In a rising market for instance buyers will be more willing to take a punt and gamble on capital appreciation more than in an unsettled market.

98elise

31,476 posts

185 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
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Is it an AST or Statutory tenant.

For statutory the best you will probably get is 16x the rent, based on the rent giving you a 6% return.

How does that stack up against the market value for a similar house.

It might be worth posting where the house is, and what rent is.

Edited by 98elise on Monday 4th April 12:32

jimmyjam

2,434 posts

243 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
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Need to establish first why they are sitting tenants. If it is an AST where you can get them out within 6 months then it will not affect value at all. If they have a genuine sitting tenancy then you need to try and establish yourself whether they will go with a cash or alternative incentive. This is the first thing a purchaser will want to know so you may as well get it out of the way.
Is the rent they are paying market value?

davepoth

29,395 posts

223 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
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We had this issue with a house my mum inherited. It was a hefty reduction. I would recommend getting a "proper" valuation, and then also one that would be if the house was empty.

I'm not sure what the legality of the following is, so do it through a solicitor. I'd be inclined to offer the sitting tenants half of the difference between the two valuations if they'll offer their notice on a "without prejudice" basis. That amount of cash may well move them. But as I said, I have no real knowledge of the law surrounding renting, so this may be very illegal.

jimmyjam

2,434 posts

243 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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davepoth said:
I'm not sure what the legality of the following is, so do it through a solicitor. I'd be inclined to offer the sitting tenants half of the difference between the two valuations if they'll offer their notice on a "without prejudice" basis. That amount of cash may well move them. But as I said, I have no real knowledge of the law surrounding renting, so this may be very illegal.
Perfectly legal, happens regularly

silverthorn2151

6,357 posts

203 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
Invest a few hundred quid and get a proper vaulation done by someone who isn't a local agent. The RICS can put you on to someone in your area.

That will take into account the tenants, rent and various options. You are selling an investment property and the reversionary position is what many will be chasing.

Do that and you'll know. Otherwise it's guessing.

jimmyjam

2,434 posts

243 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
silverthorn2151 said:
Invest a few hundred quid and get a proper vaulation done by someone who isn't a local agent. The RICS can put you on to someone in your area.

That will take into account the tenants, rent and various options. You are selling an investment property and the reversionary position is what many will be chasing.

Do that and you'll know. Otherwise it's guessing.
+1 This is the best advice

mrmaggit

Original Poster:

10,146 posts

272 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
silverthorn2151 said:
Invest a few hundred quid and get a proper vaulation done by someone who isn't a local agent. The RICS can put you on to someone in your area.

That will take into account the tenants, rent and various options. You are selling an investment property and the reversionary position is what many will be chasing.

Do that and you'll know. Otherwise it's guessing.
Ok. thanks for that. I've got my friendly money man coming round in a couple of weeks so I'm a bit better informed as to what to ask for, now.

Thanks for all the help.

maggit