What Does POA Mean When Buying a House? No More Guessing
If you’ve seen POA on a property listing and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. POA stands for Price on Application — it means the seller or estate agent has chosen not to show the asking price publicly. Instead, you have to contact the agent to find out how much the property is being marketed for.
3 Key Takeaways:
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POA means the price is hidden — you'll need to enquire directly to get it.
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It’s often used for niche, high-value, or private sales, but many buyers find it frustrating.
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There are pros and cons to using POA, and in most cases, a clear asking price works better.
What Does POA Mean in Property?
POA stands for price on application (or sometimes Price on Asking). It’s a term used by estate agents to indicate that the price of a property isn’t shown publicly, and you’ll need to contact them directly to find out how much it’s being marketed for.
POA in Sales vs Rentals
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In sales listings, POA is typically used for high-value or unique properties where sellers want privacy or flexibility on price.
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In rental listings, POA may be used for new developments or high-demand areas, allowing landlords to test the market and gauge tenant interest before setting a final rent.
When Is a POA Usually Used?
- Luxury or high-end homes
- Celebrity or high-profile sellers seeking privacy
- Quirky or one-of-a-kind properties with no obvious price comparables
- Sellers testing the market or undecided on asking price
In most cases, POA is designed to create exclusivity, but it can also be off-putting to buyers who want transparency upfront.
Related Read: What does under offer mean on a house?
How to Find Out the Price of a POA Property
While POA listings are relatively rare, they still exist. For instance, as of a 2022 report, Rightmove had approximately 3,000 live listings with POA, representing about 0.3% of properties on the website. This indicates that while uncommon, buyers may still encounter POA properties and should be prepared to navigate these listings effectively
If you come across a property listed as POA (Price on Application), there are a few ways you can still get a good idea of what it’s actually worth — without wasting time chasing agents for details.
1) Contact the Estate Agent Directly
The most obvious route is to call or email the estate agent. They’ll usually give you the asking price over the phone. However, be aware that doing this puts you on their mailing list — and if the property is overpriced, you may have wasted your time.
2) Use Portal Filters to Estimate the Hidden Price
Property portals like Rightmove or Zoopla require agents to enter a price, even if it's hidden behind POA. The listing will still show up in price-based filters, so try adjusting your filters slightly and look for where the POA property appears among others — it’ll give you a rough estimate.
3) Compare with Similar Properties Nearby
Scroll through similar listings in the same postcode or area. Check for properties with the same number of bedrooms, size, and features. If the POA home is sitting between two £400,000 listings, it’s likely in the same ballpark.
These methods won't give you an exact figure, but they can help you avoid chasing unrealistic listings — or prepare you for negotiation if the property is a serious contender.
Our advice? Use portal filters and comparables first — they’ll often get you 80% of the way there. If it still seems promising, then contact the agent. But always be cautious: if a price isn’t shown upfront, it’s often because it’s either overpriced or the seller isn’t fully committed. Transparency almost always attracts more serious interest.
Why Do Estate Agents Use POA?
Estate agents use POA (Price on Application) for several reasons, but most come down to either protecting the seller’s privacy or gaining more control over buyer interest and pricing.
Common Reasons Agents Use POA:
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Privacy for the seller: High-profile individuals or sellers who value discretion may not want the price publicly visible — especially if they’re concerned about neighbours, press coverage, or family seeing the listing.
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Testing market demand: When a property is hard to price (like a niche or one-off home), agents may use POA to see how much interest it gets before committing to a fixed figure.
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No price agreement with the seller: If the agent and vendor can’t agree on an asking price, POA lets them list the property without being tied to a number straight away.
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Hiding price reductions: Listing as POA after a price drop stops buyers from seeing the property’s previous price history, avoiding the impression that the seller is desperate or open to low offers.
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Collecting buyer details: Since buyers must contact the agent to get the price, it gives the agent an opportunity to collect names, phone numbers, and emails for future marketing.
Related Read: What does guide price mean when buying a house?
Expert advice from our property expert Paul Gibbens:
"We’ve seen POA used to great effect in rare cases, but in today’s market, it often causes more confusion than interest. Buyers want transparency, and withholding the price can put them off early.
At Housebuyers4u, our valuations team regularly speak with sellers who’ve listed as POA and struggled to generate serious enquiries. In most situations, a clear asking price backed by solid comparables attracts more genuine buyers and leads to a smoother sale."
Is POA a Red Flag?
For many buyers, seeing POA (Price on Application) on a listing raises eyebrows. It’s not always a bad thing, but in most cases, it adds unnecessary friction to the process.
The Pros & Cons of POA
Pros:
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Maintains seller privacy
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Useful for niche or high-value properties
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Allows flexibility on pricing
Cons:
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Frustrates buyers who want instant price comparisons
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May be seen as a tactic to hide overpricing
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Can lead to fewer enquiries or missed opportunities
Why It Frustrates Buyers
Buyers searching online are used to filtering properties by price. When a listing has no figure, it breaks that flow. Some buyers assume the property is overpriced, while others skip it altogether rather than chase the price. In a competitive market, that split-second decision can cost a seller valuable interest.
When POA Makes Sense vs When It Doesn’t
POA might work for ultra-luxury homes, celebrity sales, or one-of-a-kind properties with no direct comparables. But for most typical UK homes, especially under £1M, it tends to be more of a barrier than a benefit. Most buyers expect openness and clarity — not games.
A Final Word: Should You Use POA?
POA might work in a very specific set of circumstances, such as when selling a high-value, unique property or if privacy is essential (for example, due to personal, legal, or public profile reasons). In those cases, it can help manage interest while keeping sensitive information off public platforms.
But for most UK homeowners, listing with a clear asking price is the better route. It builds trust with buyers, avoids unnecessary delays, and attracts serious enquiries from people who know where they stand. In today’s market, buyers expect transparency, and POA often creates more friction than benefit.
If you’re considering selling your property for cash and unsure what pricing strategy will work best for your property, our team at Housebuyers4u can help. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat or a free property valuation tailored to your situation.
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