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Cash buyer vs estate agent

Use this when you’re weighing a fixed timeline against chasing maximum gross price, especially if you need money, a move date, or an exit from a messy situation.

Updated

When cash usually wins

Factor Cash buyer Estate agent
Typical timeline Set by the buyer’s funds and the legal paperwork GOV.UK’s consultation puts the average sale at 120 days to complete
Certainty High if funds verified Offer can still fall through
Headline price Usually discounted Closer to market value
Seller fees Typically £0 commission Set in your agent’s contract; check the fee and what it covers
Viewings / board Minimal / none Ongoing marketing
Best for Deadlines, problem stock, privacy Time-rich, mortgageable homes

Full narrative guide: Cash buyer vs estate agent explained. Also read how much cash buyers pay and safety checks. For auctions as well, see three routes compared, and for who oversees each route, six ways to sell fast. To see what each route would leave you after costs, use the cost of selling worksheet; for a flat, start with the leasehold paperwork tracker.

Sound familiar?

Cash tends to fit these sellers

If you’re in one of these stories, the timeline column usually matters more than the asking price.

Read before you accept any fast offer

Enquiries through this site are not open yet. The guides explain how cash buyers, auctions and quick-sale agents compare, and the checks that protect you.

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