Start here

Guide

Cash house buyers UK: how they work and how to vet them

If you need to sell your house fast, a funded cash buyer removes the two biggest delays in UK conveyancing: mortgage lending and brittle chains. The trade-off is price, and the quality of buyers varies, so check before you commit.

How a fast sale works Compare vs estate agent How much do buyers pay?

Common reasons people look at cash buyers

  • Funded purchase

    Progress does not depend on a buyer’s mortgage valuation coming in light. Ask for proof of funds to confirm it.

  • Condition is priced in

    Problem stock, tenanted homes and tired décor are usually priced in rather than rejected, and the discount grows with the work needed.

  • Date-led timescales

    Completion depends on the buyer’s funds, the searches and the legal paperwork. Agree a completion window in writing that matches your deadline.

Common questions

What is a cash house buyer?

A cash house buyer purchases a property with funds that do not depend on a mortgage for that purchase, which is why completion can be much faster than a chain sale. Some buy for themselves; others are intermediaries who pass the sale on.

How is this different from an estate agent?

An estate agent markets your home to find a buyer. A cash house buyer is (or represents) the buyer. Speed and certainty rise; the price is usually lower, commonly below market value.

How do I check a cash house buyer?

Check the company name, number and registered address, membership of a redress scheme or ombudsman, who pays the legal fees, and that you are not asked to sign an option or lock-in agreement. Instruct your own solicitor and ask for proof of funds and a written offer.

Also see questions to ask, “we buy any house” claims, and local guides.

Sound familiar?

Who looks at cash house buyers

Most people who sell to a cash buyer aren’t chasing a “deal”. They’re stuck in a moment that won’t wait for a six-month chain.

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.

Read the guides