Should I get a second opinion on my asking price?
Published 23 September 2026 · 6 min read · By Evren Ergin
Yes, if your home has been on the market for a few weeks with little interest, a second opinion on the price is a sensible, normal step. It costs nothing to ask, it does not change your current contract, and it tells you whether the price or something else is holding the sale back.
TL;DR
- •A second opinion is a fresh valuation from other local agents, used to check whether your asking price matches what buyers will pay today.
- •Propertymark reported on 23 September 2026 that the majority of homes sold in July went for less than their asking price.
- •Rightmove's May 2026 data showed homes that needed a price cut took on average 91 more days to sell, so testing the price early protects your timeline.
- •Getting valuations does not change your contract, but instructing a new agent during a tie-in or notice period can mean paying two fees.
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Wondering whether your price is right is not disloyal to your agent. It is a natural question a few weeks into a quiet listing, and it has a clear answer.
What is a second opinion on an asking price?
A second opinion is a fresh valuation of your home from one or more other local estate agents, taken while you are already on the market. Its job is to test your current asking price against today's buyers and recent local sales.
An asking price is the figure your home is listed at. A valuation is an agent's view of what it will actually sell for, based on comparable sold prices, current competition and buyer demand.
When should I get a second opinion on my price?
Signs a second opinion is worth getting
| What is happening | What it suggests | Second opinion? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet first week, normal views | Too early to judge | Not yet |
| Two weekends of views and no viewing requests | Buyers are choosing other homes | Yes |
| Viewings but every buyer passes | Price or presentation is off | Yes |
| Offers well below asking | Buyers value it lower than the listing | Yes |
| Your agent suggests a price cut | You want to test the size of the cut | Yes |
| Six weeks or more with no offer | The price is likely above the market | Yes |
Why is testing the price so important right now?
Because buyers have more homes to choose from than at this time of year in over a decade. Rightmove reported on 21 September 2026 that homes for sale were at a 12-year high for the time of year and that only 61% of homes coming to market find a buyer.
Propertymark's report for July 2026, published on 23 September, found that the majority of homes sold went for less than their asking price, and more than half of agents said most sales took 17 weeks or longer from offer to exchange.
The market behind the question
| Measure | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Share of homes that find a buyer | 61% (74% in 2021) | Rightmove, 21 September 2026 |
| Average time to find a buyer | 64 days | Rightmove, 21 September 2026 |
| Homes sold below asking price | The majority, July 2026 | Propertymark, 23 September 2026 |
| New buyers registered per branch | 75, July 2026 | Propertymark, 23 September 2026 |
| Homes for sale per branch | 10.9, July 2026 | Propertymark, 23 September 2026 |
| Extra time to sell after a price cut | 91 days on average | Rightmove, May 2026 |
A second opinion does not accuse anyone. It simply checks your price against the buyers who are actually out there today.
Will a second opinion upset my current agent?
It should not, and you do not need to frame it as a complaint. Testing the price when a listing goes quiet is a normal part of selling, and the result usually feeds a conversation you would be having with your agent anyway.
Be aware that your current agent may be one of the agents who values your home, because local agents cover the same streets. Share what you learn openly if it helps the sale move.
Does getting another valuation break my contract?
No. Asking other agents what your home is worth does not change the contract you signed. What matters is what happens next.
A tie-in period is the fixed stretch at the start of a sole agency contract when you cannot instruct another agent without risk of a fee. A notice period is the written notice you must give before leaving. Instructing a new agent during either can mean paying two fees, so check your contract before you act.
What should I do with the second opinion?
- Compare the new figures with your asking price and with recent sold prices for similar homes nearby.
- Ask each agent what evidence sits behind their number, not just the number itself.
- If the figures agree with your current price, look at presentation, photos and viewing feedback instead.
- If the figures are lower, agree one clear price change with your current agent rather than several small cuts.
- If you want to change agent, check your tie-in and notice periods first, then decide.
How does ValuQ fit in?
ValuQ gives UK homeowners free, side-by-side property valuations from competing local estate agents. For a seller already on the market, that works as a second opinion: agents value your home against the same brief, you compare them on one screen, and you stay anonymous until you choose to connect. It is free, always.
Common questions about a second opinion
How long should I wait before getting a second opinion on my price?
Give the listing at least two full weekends, because most viewings happen at weekends. If views are steady but viewing requests or offers are not arriving after that, a second opinion is a sensible next step rather than a panic move.
Is it rude to ask another estate agent to value my house while it is on the market?
No. It is a normal request when a listing goes quiet. Be clear with the new agent that you are already on the market and under contract, so they can give you an honest view of the price.
What if the second opinion is higher than my asking price?
Treat a higher figure with care, especially if your home is already getting little interest at a lower price. Ask for the sold-price evidence behind it. A higher number that is not supported by recent local sales will not change what buyers are willing to pay.
Can I switch agents if the second opinion is better?
You can, once your contract allows it. Check your tie-in period and notice period first, because instructing a second agent too early can mean you owe fees to both.
Does a second opinion cost anything?
Estate agent valuations are normally free in the UK. Through ValuQ, homeowners never pay: the valuations are free, always.
Sources
- [1]Property Industry Eye, Buyer numbers rise but lengthy sales and rental shortages squeeze market (Propertymark, July 2026 data) · 2026-09-23 · https://propertyindustryeye.com/buyer-numbers-rise-but-lengthy-sales-and-rental-shortages-squeeze-market/
- [2]Rightmove House Price Index, 21 September 2026 · 2026-09-21 · https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/content/uploads/2026/09/Rightmove-HPI-21st-September.pdf
- [3]Rightmove House Price Index, May 2026 · 2026-05-18 · https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/house-price-index/
- [4]HomeOwners Alliance, Estate Agent Contracts: What To Watch For · 2026-01-15 · https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-selling/estate-agents-contracts-what-to-watch-for/
- [5]The Property Ombudsman, Code of Practice for Residential Estate Agents · 2019-06-01 · https://www.tpos.co.uk/images/codes-of-practice/TPOE27-8_Code_of_Practice_for_Residential_Estate_Agents_A4_FINAL.pdf
Terms in this article
Plain-English definitions from the ValuQ property glossary.
Viewing feedback
Viewing feedback is what buyers tell the agent after seeing your home, reported back to you.
Tie-in period
The tie-in period is the minimum time an agency agreement locks you to one estate agent.
Sole agency
Sole agency is an agreement giving one estate agent the exclusive right to sell your home for a set period.
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