Cash House Buyers - We Can Buy Your House For Cash

Name: Cash House Buyers
Brand: House Buyer Bureau
Rating: 4.4 (408 reviews)

What Is a Cash House Buyer?

A cash buyer is someone who has the money readily available to buy your home without needing to wait for funds to come from a mortgage or the sale of another property. This makes the sales process much simpler and takes a lot of the stress and hassle away.

Cash buyers can be individuals with cash and no property to sell, but a lot of the time, a cash buyer will be a house-buying company or a property developer who wants to purchase the property to renovate it and sell it on. A genuine cash buyer will have immediate access to the funds required to buy your home. Be wary of companies that are not genuine cash buyers who use dodgy sales tactics and leave you with significantly less than you were expecting.

Whether you have received a cash offer for your home from an individual or a company, it’s important to request proof that they have the money available to make the purchase.

Why Use a Cash Buying Service?

Get a fast sale

Guaranteed sale / less stress

No estate agent fees

One of the biggest advantages of selling a house for cash is speed. Unlike traditional sales that can take months, cash house buyers can close deals within a matter of weeks, or even days. This quick turnaround time can be especially appealing if you need to sell your property urgently, whether that’s because of financial issues, relocation or inheritance.

One of the most common reasons for a house sale to be delayed or fail completely is that one or both parties are having problems with the property chain. A property chain is where multiple sales are dependent on each other.

If you are selling to a cash house buyer, they are not part of a chain, so there is less risk of problems arising that could stall your sale, which is one of the reasons why selling to a cash buyer means a quick and hassle-free process.

Another common cause of delays in the house sale process is that the buyer struggles to secure the mortgage to complete their purchase. Mortgage lenders can be slow to progress an application and there is always a risk that the lender’s surveyor will your property meaning the buyer is likely to then want to renegotiate their offer. A cash buyer has the funds ready to buy your home outright, so this problem will not arise. Read more about all the pros and cons of a cash house buying company.

Selling a home via the traditional route with an estate agent is often extremely stressful. A recent poll by the online property portal, Yopa, found that many people think moving home is more stressful than getting divorced, having a baby, starting a new job or getting married! Constant viewings can be inconvenient, disruptive and upsetting if you are selling because of divorce or a death in the family. And the uncertainty of whether the sale will reach completion and how long it will take just adds further stress.

Much of this goes away when selling a house for cash because you benefit from a guaranteed sale. Quick sale companies have the funds already available to make offers, getting rid of any uncertainties and potential complications that can arise with traditional buyers, like failed mortgage applications.

Generally speaking, they will also buy properties in any condition, including those that traditional buyers may be put off by, such as homes with structural issues or in need of modernising. This means there is no need for you to carry out any renovations, repairs, or even gardening! Cash house buyers buy your house completely ‘as is’ in a guaranteed sale, helping to remove both uncertainty and annoying viewings.

While you may receive a below-market-value offer from a cash buyer, some of this will be offset by savings in other areas. Unlike an on-market sale, there are no estate agents or conveyancing fees, and there’s no need to make costly home improvements or repairs when selling your home to a quick-sale company.

By opting to take a cash offer for your home, you can dramatically cut the cost of selling a house. With a traditional on-market sale, estate agent fees alone average 1.42% of the purchase price for a sole agency agreement and 3% if you want to list your property with multiple agencies

For a house selling at the current UK average of £268,349, that means you’ll pay a commission of between £3,810 and a whopping £8,050. Then there are conveyancing fees to pay, and you’ll have to keep up with mortgage repayments and cover the cost of maintenance and repairs until you find a buyer. The total cost of selling a house on-market can rapidly escalate, leaving you with fewer pounds in the bank than you hoped for when the sale is completed.

If you accept an offer from House Buyer Bureau, there are no fees for the service, no estate agent commission to pay and no legal fees if you use one of our recommended solicitors. Check out our handy price comparison chart to see how selling at market value with an estate agent compares to selling at a slight discount to us — you may be surprised by how little difference there is in the amount you will walk away with!

Get a fast sale

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Guaranteed sale / less stress

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No estate agent fees

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Get your free cash offer today

Getting your no-obligation cash offer is easy.

Sell your house in weeks instead of months and with zero hassle — you could even sell in as little as 7 days.

How to get the best deal?

Now you know what to avoid when looking to sell your house for cash, you can confidently look for a service provider that:

Offers honest and transparent pricing
Provides a formal and final offer
Provides accurate and fair valuations
Is a genuine cash buyer
Allows you the option to withdraw from the sale before the exchange
Completes a sale when they say they will.

How to verify a cash house buyer?

With something like a “quick sale” or “guaranteed purchase” there’s always going to be a certain amount of suspicion, which is why it’s so important to do your research when you receive a cash offer. If you are desperate to sell as quickly as possible, for one reason or another, you are more likely to rush into a decision and end up selling to unethical or unreliable property cash buyers.

If you receive a cash offer for your house, you must ask for proof that the company has immediate access to the funds. If they don’t, you will find yourself waiting around until they can raise the money. You could have completed your sale and already be unpacking in your new property during that time.

House Buyer Bureau is committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience, and we are founding members of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB). We are also members of The Property Ombudsman (TPO).

Research companies

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When reviewing prospective cash house buyers, it’s important to evaluate their reputation and credibility, and there are a number of ways to do this. Even after selecting a cash house buyer, be sure to review and understand the terms, and evaluate offers from a few different buyers to ensure you are getting a fair deal.

Verify on Companies House

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Firstly, check they are a legit property buying company. You can do this by searching for them on Companies House and checking whether their accounts are up to date when they were incorporated, the nature of their business and who is associated with the company. This should give you an indication of whether they are a reliable and trustworthy business.

Read reviews

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You should also look for customer feedback by reading reviews that previous clients have written – ideally on third-party sites, not the company’s own website. House Buyer Bureau has over 340 reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.5/5. Researching the experiences of previous customers will demonstrate the company’s track record and verify (or disprove) its claims.

Get a realistic price

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The price you get when dealing with quick sale companies will always come with a discount – this is the trade-off you get with a near-guaranteed sale in a matter of days or weeks. If a company offers a price that seems too good to be true (basically market value), it probably is. Most house buying companies offer between 75-85% of market value, so be wary of anything higher than that. The company may offer you a higher price to lure you in and then chip away at it after you’ve committed to them.

Check credentials and accreditations

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It’s easy for a company to claim they are accredited by certain organisations, even if they’re not. Thankfully, it’s just as easy for you to verify if it’s true or not. If, for example, a business claims they are part of The Property Ombudsman, you can check its directory to see if the company really is a part of TPO. Another place to look is for membership in organisations like the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) as signs of credibility in the UK market.

Get solicitor verification

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If at any point you’re unsure about a company, or you just want that additional peace of mind, you can ask your solicitor to verify if an offer, or a company, is legit. This can be done alongside the normal legal paperwork and proceedings that take place during the selling process.

Request proof of funds

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Not all cash house buyers are created equal, and some might have the funds readily available, while others might need to secure financing before finalising the purchase. To ensure a smooth and timely closing, you could request financial statements. A reputable buyer will be willing to show you basic financial documents, like bank statements, that prove their ability to purchase your property without delays.

Confirm flexibility for a closing date

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Understanding your timeline and the buyer’s capabilities helps in creating a stress-free experience. Start by clearly communicating your ideal closing timeframe to the buyer or buying company upfront. At House Buyer Bureau, we can buy your home in as little as 7 days if needed but not every company or individual could go through the purchasing process so quickly. If you’re ever in doubt, just ask! A reliable buyer should be able to talk through any potential delays and be open to discussion on how to best accommodate your timeline, as long as it’s realistic.

Validate there is no third-party involvement

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When selling to a cash house buying company, check whether they’ll be buying your home directly or are looking to pass your details to a third-party buyer. Try to avoid any companies which are simply acting as ‘lead generation’ and instead only deal with the final company. You can do this by determining who makes the purchasing decisions and avoid situations where a seemingly authorised representative overpromises which are then overruled later by the decision maker.

Are Cash Buying Companies Regulated?

There is currently no official regulation when it comes to cash buying companies – anyone who claims to be regulated is misleading you.

While there is no regulation, there are certain organisations that reputable house buying companies are part of, including The Property Ombudsman and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB). When considering having a quick house sale company buy your property, you can check with these companies if they are a reputable company. Also, be sure to check their online reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and Feefo.

House Buyer Bureau is a member of The Property Ombudsman and a founding member of the NAPB. We are also one of the few cash property buying companies that are regularly recommended by independent experts at Home Selling Expert and The Advisory.

Selling a house for cash: How long does it take?

Pop your postcode in our handy onsite form, add your contact information and property details and we’ll send you a cash offer by email or give you a call (whichever you prefer). We can typically provide an indicative offer within 24 hours. If you’re happy with the initial cash offer, we will arrange a valuation and survey of the property to suit you. Once these are completed, we can exchange contracts and complete the sale at a time scale to suit you — this could be in as little as seven days.

Selling to House Buyer Bureau

House Buyer Bureau’s business practices are externally reviewed by regulatory risk auditors. We do not engage in any of the practices highlighted by the OFT.

Many people struggle to sell their houses on the open market for a variety of reasons — if a property is in poor condition, at risk of repossession or located in an unpopular location, finding a buyer can be a challenge. House Buyer Bureau buys all types of property in any condition and location.

We also keep you in the loop at every step of the sale process, and it’s worth noting that all our cash offers are free and carry no obligation to proceed with the sale. We also offer a Price Promise — our formal offer won’t change (unless an unexpected problem appears in the survey or there are legal issues with the sale), and if it does, we’ll give you £1,000 to keep, whether you continue with the sale or not.

Cash house buying company FAQs

Is a cash buyer better for a house?

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A cash buyer can be a good option if you need to sell your house quickly and with certainty. The benefits of selling to a cash buyer are the timeline to sell will likely be accelerated, you won’t need to open your home to property viewing or price negotiations, and the sale will be guaranteed as long as you agree to the terms.

How long does it take for a cash buyer to complete the sale?

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Cash buyers can complete a purchase much faster than traditional buyers. The closing process can be completed in a matter of weeks, depending on the complexity of the sale and your needs. Here at House Buyer Bureau, we can buy your home in as little as 7 days, or to a timeline that works for you.

How does a house buying service work?

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A house buying service offers a much quicker route to selling a property than putting it on the open market and waiting for the right buyer to come along. The company purchases properties for a price slightly below their market value and then sells them on.

The process is fast and straightforward: you provide a few details about the property you want to sell. Based on this information, a cash offer in principle will be made. Once the house buying service has had your property valued, they will issue a formal offer, subject to contract and survey. As with a traditional property sale, lawyers are then instructed and a survey conducted. The final step is exchange and completion, which we can arrange in a timescale to suit you — even as little as seven days.

How much will I be paid?

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House buying services differ significantly on the rates of pay on offer. House Buyer Bureau will give you the best cash offer on the market. For a quick sale, we typically pay 80% of the market value. We can offer up to 90% of the market value for a 120-day guaranteed sale — House Buyer Bureau is the only company to offer this.

And don’t forget to factor in the money you will save on estate agent fees, lawyers, surveys, home improvements and mortgage repayments.

Will a cash buyer offer less?

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Both individual cash buyers and cash house buying companies typically offer below-market value in exchange for a faster and more convenient sale. The exact amount they offer will depend on various factors like the condition of your house, the local market, and the specific company’s policies. It’s always best to get quotes from multiple cash buyers to compare and negotiate for the best price.

Do cash buyers need a solicitor?

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While cash buyers don’t necessarily need a solicitor themself to complete the purchase, it’s highly recommended for you as the seller. A solicitor can ensure the contract is fair, protect your interests, and handle the legal aspects of the sale such as the paperwork, talking to the buyers’ solicitors and organising the exchange of contracts and completion.

How to find cash property buyers?

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There are several ways to find a cash house buyer. One is to look for cash house buying companies in your area or who have experience buying homes in your area. Another is to talk to your local estate agent as they may have recommended partners or companies who will buy your home for cash. Alternatively, speak to someone who has previously sold their home for cash and see if they would recommend the individual or company they used.

How do I choose which house buying service to use?

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Ensure the service provider is ethical and trustworthy by asking the following questions: do they follow guidance on best practice and avoid improper conduct? Are there customer testimonials available on the company website? How does the service rate on independent review sites?

The Office Of Fair Trading’s (OFT) review of the quick house sale market identified six practices that any reputable and ethical company should not engage in. These include:

Providing unclear fee structures that include “hidden” costs or add extra costs as the process progresses
Reduce the price offered at the last minute
Make misleading claims about the value of the property or the level of discount to be applied to the sale
Falsely claim to be a cash buyer
Induce consumers to enter into agreements that prevent them from selling to other buyers
Taking longer to complete the sale than promised

Is it worth selling your house to a house buying company?

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It depends on your situation and many factors such as how urgently you need to sell, the condition of your home and general property market conditions. If you need to sell quickly, your home is in need of urgent repairs or the market is slow, a cash house buying company can be a good option for a quick, and guaranteed, sale.

What are the benefits of selling for cash?

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Selling to a cash buying service gives the homeowner a guaranteed sale that can be completed in as little as seven days after a firm offer is made. For anyone who needs to move quickly — to relocate for a new job or because of a relationship breakdown — the speed and certainty of this type of sale are highly attractive.

Furthermore, there are considerable cost savings to be made. Granted, the cash offer made will be less than selling by the traditional route, but this difference in price is offset by the lack of legal and estate agency fees. Additionally, the homeowner will not have to make any costly home improvements in a bid to sell the property, nor will they have to continue making mortgage repayments, covering bills and maintaining the property until a buyer is found.

What type of houses do you buy?

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House Buyer Bureau buys houses in any condition and location. We have helped hundreds of customers in just such situations to sell their home and move on. Take a look at what our customers say about us on Trustpilot.

How quickly can I get a cash offer?

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How long will it take to receive the funds?

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If you’re happy with the initial cash offer, we will arrange a valuation and survey of the property to suit you. Once these are completed, we can exchange contracts and complete the sale at a time scale to suit you — this could be in as little as seven days.

Will you buy my house if I am in mortgage arrears?

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Selling your house for cash is one of the fastest ways to avoid or stop repossession proceedings. Your mortgage lender is required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to allow you time to sell the property, should you choose to do so.

We can turnaround the purchase of your home quickly, allowing you to avoid repossession, settle any outstanding debts and make a fresh start in a new home.

Chris

Chris
Group Managing Director

Chris has worked in property all his career, first as a successful estate agent before spotting a gap in the market for buying property directly from people looking for a simple, quick sale.

He has a passion for property and as an experienced valuer, has looked at well over 50,000 properties so far at HBB. He has extensive experience in property buying and regularly comments in the press on property matters, trends and promotes ways to simplify and speed up the selling process.

View articles by Chris

Cash House Buyers: A Complete Guide