Let's face it, we all begrudge paying estate agents' fees. so how easy is it to sell your property yourself?

1 Through the small ads

There is no reason why you cannot sell your house just like you do a second-hand bicycle: put an ad in a newsagent's window, in magazines such as Loot or on the free private sales websites such as youcan.com or privatehq.com. However, these methods offer only a brief advert. No matter how you advertise your home you will need a home information pack (Hip). Only sales where no marketing at all takes place (eg, to a member of the family) will not need a Hip.

2 Private sales websites

For a small fee most of the private sales websites will upload your details to the larger property portals such as propertyfinder.com or fish4homes.com . Go with a well-established one. Propertybroker.com has been running since 1998 and for £137 offers advertising on a number of property portals, free photos and a “for sale” board. “Most people come to private sales websites after a bad experience with an estate agent,” says Kay Davis, the founder of the site. “They love the transparency of the sale, with the buyer and seller being able to communicate throughout the process.”

3 Be on your guard

If you decide to sell via a private sales website, you may want to splash out a little more money to keep your personal details ... well, personal. Mark Desvaux, founder of the property portal houseweb.co.uk, says: “One of the things that distinguishes us from estate agents is that we don't organise and show people around the property, so we cannot help monitor who visits your property. What we can do is offer unique phone numbers, so sellers don't have to give out private ones.” Desvaux's company offers a minimum package for £47, and fees go up to £599, which provides a full report and the services of a photographer.

4 Beware the small print

The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 does not apply to private sales. The Act applies only to false or misleading statements made in the course of an estate agency business. Having said that, many internet sites could be said to be estate agents. So check the terms and conditions before signing up.

5 Prize house

Occasionally there are reports of people “raffling” their house. But be warned of the legalities.

“Under the Gambling Act 2005 it is illegal to run a lottery for private gain,” says Mark Loveday, a barrister at Tanfield Chambers and the author of Bricks & Mortar's Brief Encounter column. “It is common to ask a simple question to turn the competition into a game of skill, although Section 14 (5) of the Act is vague about what is required to satisfy the law.”

6 Going, going, gone

If you are looking for a quick sale, selling at auction could be the solution. Once the hammer falls, the contract is legal and binding, with a 10 per cent deposit to be paid immediately and the balance within 28 days. However, auctioneers work for commission so budget in 2-3 per cent of the sale price.

7 Home swap

A new website, set up only last month, is offering to match your property to a buyer. HomeSwapper4Sale.co.uk allows buyers and sellers to register on the site, matching people by area, price range, type of house and number of bedrooms. You will be alerted by e-mail or text message when you are matched with someone. You can register free and you will get at least 90 days' free membership for the near future. After that there will be a one-off payment.

8 Personal service

Buying agents were a growth industry during the boom and there are now hundreds who make a living househunting for their clients. Increasingly homeowners are going directly to such agents, hoping to sell their house, according to Nicholas Ayre, of Home Fusion. He says: “We have always been approached by sellers who don't yet want to go to the open market, but we have had now more contact from owners of homes at the lower end of the market, priced under £500,000, inquiring if we might have a buyer for their home.”

9 Part exchange

If you have your heart set on a new home many developers will buy your existing home in part exchange. They will typically offer you about 90 to 95 per cent of the market value of your current home, but it's a guaranteed sale and it usually happens within a month.

10 The perfect agent

If you still think that using an estate agent is the best way to sell your property choose an agent who knows your area well. An agent who has survived a downturn in the market will be much better equipped to help you to sell in the current climate. More importantly, try to find one who has your interests at heart.

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