Selling a house can often feel like an uphill battle—endless viewings, uncertain buyers, and the looming possibility of deals falling through. But what if there was a way to sidestep the stress entirely? Companies that buy houses as-is offer a fast, guaranteed sale without the need for repairs, renovations, or waiting months on the open market.
If you’re curious about how this hassle-free option works and whether it’s right for you, keep reading to discover a simpler way to sell your home.
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Companies That Buy Houses As Is: A Comprehensive Guide
The UK property market has seen a surge in firms offering to purchase homes directly from sellers, with cash house buyers completing 32.8% of all residential sales in 2024.
These companies provide an alternative route for those prioritising speed over maximum returns, typically offering 73–85% of market value for properties in any condition.
What is a house buying company?
Legitimate property purchasing companies can provide you with a guaranteed property sale on a date of your preference.
They purchase your property directly with their cash funds, without depending on a mortgage or investors, which gives them the flexibility to buy your property quickly. A reputable house-buying company can even complete the sale in a week, if necessary.
House buying companies always need to buy properties at a discounted rate to make a profit, so any home-buying sites claiming to purchase your house at 80% or higher should not be trusted.
Such property purchasing companies offering 80% or more are likely to be acting as brokers or lead generators, linking you with property investors.
This can be a problem, as companies of this type cannot guarantee how fast they can buy your house or how much they can pay.
These companies usually make you sign a contract and then try to find a buyer for your property. Once a buyer is found, you will be presented with a formal offer, which is often significantly lower than the original quote.
A genuine house buying company will never make you sign a contract or charge you any fees for their services.
How Do ‘We Buy Any House’ Services Operate?
These we buy any property firms specialise in accelerated transactions, bypassing traditional estate agency processes. Key features include:
- No mandatory repairs or renovations
- Average completion within 7–28 days
- Fee-free transactions (legal costs often covered)
How do companies that buy houses as-is operate?
Companies that buy houses as-is typically follow a straightforward process:
- Initial contact: The homeowner reaches out to the company, usually through their website or phone.
- Property assessment: The company evaluates the property, often through a quick visit or virtual tour.
- Cash offer: Based on the assessment, the company presents a cash offer to the homeowner.
- Acceptance and completion: If the offer is accepted, the sale can often be completed within a matter of days or weeks.
These companies aim to simplify the selling process by eliminating the need for repairs, staging, or multiple showings.
What are the benefits of selling to a house-buying company?
Selling to a company that buys houses as-is offers several advantages:
• Speed: Transactions can be completed much faster than traditional sales.
• Convenience: No need for repairs, renovations, or staging.
• Certainty: Cash offers reduce the risk of deals falling through due to financing issues.
• Flexibility: Sellers can often choose their preferred completion date.
Are there any drawbacks to consider?
While selling to a house-buying company can be advantageous, there are some potential downsides:
- Lower offers: The convenience and speed often come at the cost of a lower sale price compared to market value.
- Limited negotiation: Some companies may not be open to much negotiation on their initial offer.
- Potential for scams: It’s important to research and verify the legitimacy of any company you’re considering.
Can you trust companies that buy properties?
Unfortunately, the industry around companies that buy houses remains unregulated. This means there is very little protection for home sellers who are taken advantage of by fraudulent traders claiming to be genuine “sell house fast” companies.
When dealing with property purchase companies, there are certain red flags to be aware of to avoid falling victim to rogue traders:
- They make an overly generous initial offer
- They request you to sign a contract
- They ask for a fee, either upfront or upon completion
- They are unable to fulfil the sale on the date of your choice
- They reduce their agreed offer price at the last minute
- They introduce a third party as a buyer
- They lack the accounts to validate their claims
- You have doubts about whether their property cash buyers’ reviews are genuine
- They claim to be a regulated property-buying company
- They provide you with an instant online cash offer
How can I find reputable companies that buy houses as-is?
To find trustworthy companies that buy houses as-is:
- Research online reviews and ratings. Are they real reviews?
- Are they able to provide you with proof of funds?
- Do they borrow money from the banks or bridging finance companies? Check on Companies House for Charges.
Reasons you may sell your home to a property buying company
There are many reasons why homeowners opt to use companies that buy houses instead of selling their property using traditional methods. These include:
- House sale fell through– If you have had the misfortune of a broken property chain, a reputable house-buying company can offer you a guaranteed quick sale and help you move on.
- Selling a rental property– If you are worried about the cost associated with selling a former buy-to-let property on the open market, a property-buying company can provide a fast house sale. You will be in control of the timescales, allowing you to choose the date of completion when your tenant moves out.
- Inherited property– If you’ve inherited a property, you may not have the time or energy to go through the lengthy process of selling it on the open market, particularly if you don’t live close to the property. A home-buying company could help you by providing a fast sale in as little as 7 days.
- Financial difficulties– If you are facing financial difficulties and selling your house to pay off debt, a company that buys houses may be able to assist. They can provide you with a formal cash offer, which could even be used to stop a repossession order.
- Downsizing– If you’re looking to release the money tied up in your property by downsizing, a house-buying company can provide you with a quick and stress-free sale to coincide with the purchase of your next home.
- Divorce – Selling your house after a divorce or relationship breakdown can be incredibly stressful. A fast house sale service can help you move on much quicker than a sale on the open market.
- Relocation – When relocating for work, family or a new adventure, a property-buying company can offer you a quick sale that meets your needs. They can complete the sale on a date of your choice, allowing you to time your move with your onward plans.
- Illness – If you are having to move due to illness, a fast house sale service could be the answer. It offers a private, stress-free sale on a date of your choice.
- Don’t want the hassle – If you don’t want the hassle of viewings, estate agent negotiations and lengthy conveyancing, a quick house sale to a company that buys houses could be the right solution.
How is the offer price determined?
House-buying companies typically determine their offer price based on:
| Factor | Impact on Offer |
|---|---|
| Property condition | Significant |
| Location | High |
| Market trends | Moderate |
| Repair costs | Substantial |
| Potential resale value | Considerable |
What should I prepare before contacting a house-buying company?
Before reaching out to a company that buys houses as-is, gather the following information:
- Property details (size, age, features)
- Recent photos of the property
- Any known legal issues or required repairs
- Your ideal timeline for selling
- Mortgage payoff amount (if applicable)
Why Sell to Us?
When considering selling your property quickly, Property Saviour stands out as a trustworthy and efficient choice among cash house buying companies. Unlike many competitors who rely on bridging loans or mortgages, Property Saviour is a genuine cash buyer with the funds readily available to purchase your property. This means no delays due to valuations or surveys, and no last-minute price reductions that often plague transactions with other companies.
Property Saviour’s commitment to transparency and fair dealing is evident in their Price Promise. The price they offer is the price you’ll receive, with no hidden deductions or surprises. They provide proof of funds with every formal offer, giving you peace of mind and certainty about the transaction. Moreover, Property Saviour allows you to use your own solicitor, demonstrating their confidence in their process and respect for your preferences.
What truly sets Property Saviour apart is their personalised service and genuine care for sellers. They offer to pay £1,500 towards your legal fees, and their process is designed to be stress-free and efficient. With the ability to complete purchases in as little as 10 days or at a timescale that suits you, Property Saviour offers the flexibility and speed that other companies often can’t match. Their track record of positive reviews from real sellers underscores their reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction, making them a standout choice for anyone looking to sell their property quickly and with certainty.
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
