Selling your home can be a lengthy and stressful process, especially if you need to sell quickly. More and more homeowners in the UK are now choosing to sell to a cash buyer in order to simplify the process and avoid the hassles of a traditional sale.
Selling to a cash buyer has a number of benefits:
- Speed – The sale can complete in as little as 7 days, unlike a traditional sale which takes an average of 3 months. This super fast timeline means you can access funds and move on quickly.
- Certainty – Cash sales have a near 100% chance of completion as there is no risk of a mortgage falling through. This provides peace of mind that the sale will go ahead.
- Convenience – Cash buyers take care of all the paperwork and legal processes for you, saving you time and hassle trying to navigate these yourself.
- No chain – Cash buyers are not part of a property chain so there are no frustrating delays waiting for other buyers/sellers to complete.
According to Ready Steady Sell, if you need to sell your home quickly, for any reason such as emigrating, repossession or inheritance, then selling to a cash buyer could be the ideal solution for you. This guide will take you through the process step-by-step.
How Does the Cash Buying Process Work?
The process of selling your home to a cash buyer follows these key stages:
1. Initial Valuation
- You contact cash buying companies and provide details about your property such as number of bedrooms, any modernisations, location etc.
- Cash buyers will research your property and make an initial cash offer based on its condition and market value.
- At this stage you usually do not need to commit to anything or pay any fees. You can use this initial offer to gauge interest and likely sale price.
2. Site Visit
- If you accept the initial offer, a representative of the buying company will arrange a viewing of your property.
- They will inspect your home to confirm its condition, take photographs and note any points that require attention.
- After the visit, they may revise their initial offer if any issues were identified that affect the valuation.
3. Official Offer
- Following the site visit, the cash buyer will make a formal written offer.
- This offer will be subject to contract and final surveys, but secures the price agreed.
- You can negotiate on the price at this stage if you are not completely satisfied.
4. Due Diligence
- Once you accept the formal offer, the buyer will begin their due diligence checks.
- This includes conducting more detailed surveys, verifying your ownership, checking for planning permissions, outstanding mortgages and any other legal issues that may impact sale.
- Further negotiations on price may happen at this point if any problems come to light.
5. Exchange of Contracts
- When the buyer is satisfied, contracts are drawn up by solicitors on both sides and exchanged.
- This is the legal agreement that commits both parties to the sale at the agreed price.
- Typically a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the purchase price is paid on exchange.
6. Completion
- Within 1-4 weeks of exchange, the sale will complete on an agreed date.
- The remaining 90% balance of funds will be transferred and sale fully completed.
- Keys to the property are handed over on completion day and it becomes the legal possession of the buyer.
The whole process can take as little as 7 days from initial offer to completion if all goes smoothly. But more complex sales may take 4-6 weeks or more.
What Should Sellers Expect From the Cash House Buying Process?
If you decide to sell your property to a cash buyer, here is what you can expect at each key stage:
Initial Valuation
- A cash offer within 24 hours of you submitting your property details online or over the phone.
- Minimal paperwork required at this stage – just an address, number of bedrooms, approximate size and brief description of your home.
- No obligation to commit to anything if you are not happy with the initial valuation provided.
Site Visit
- An appointment for property viewing within a few days of accepting the initial offer.
- The representative will inspect all rooms, gardens, garages etc and take photos of the interior and exterior.
- It usually takes 1-2 hours depending on the size of your property.
- No need to extensively clean or tidy up especially for the visit. The buyer needs to see the true condition.
Official Offer
- A formal written offer sent via email/post within 24 hours of the site visit.
- Detailed offer documentation specifying exact price offered, proposed timescales for completion, terms and conditions.
- Opportunity to go back to the buyer and negotiate or walk away at this stage if not completely satisfied.
Due Diligence
- The buyer will arrange professional surveys to evaluate things like structural soundness, energy efficiency, drainage etc.
- You may need to provide proof of ownership and details of any outstanding mortgages or secured loans.
- Further price negotiations may happen at this point if major issues are identified impacting property value.
Exchange of Contracts
- Legal contracts prepared by the buyer’s solicitor and provided for your legal review.
- Signing and exchanging contracts legally commits both parties to the sale at the agreed price and terms.
- Non-refundable deposit of around 10% of purchase price paid on exchange.
Completion
- Buyer transfers remaining 90-95% balance on the pre-agreed completion date.
- No need to vacate property before completion – you can arrange to stay on as a tenant if needed.
- Keys handed over on day of completion once all funds cleared and sale marked as complete.
Selling to a cash buyer means fewer stresses and uncertainties compared to the traditional route. And you can expect a fair offer based on a detailed inspection and survey of your property.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Selling to a Cash Buyer?
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast completion – can take as little as 7 days | You may receive a lower offer than full market value |
| Certainty of sale as no chain or mortgage to fall through | Limited ability to negotiate once formal offer is made |
| Cash buyers take care of all legal processes and paperwork | Buyer may identify issues from surveys that reduce the final offer |
| No need to prepare your property for viewings | Some buyers may charge fees for professional surveys carried out |
| Avoid paying estate agent fees and staging costs | If delays occur, cannot back out without losing the deposit paid |
Overall, a cash sale offers a quicker and easier route to selling your home. The main compromise is accepting a discounted offer compared to the maximum potential value. However, cash buyers aim to make fair offers based on market data.
Questions You Should Ask Cash Buyers Before Accepting an Offer
If you are considering selling your home to a cash buyer, make sure to ask these important questions before agreeing to anything:
- How was my property valued and what market data was used?
- Are there any administration, survey or legal fees I will be responsible for?
- What are the exact timescales proposed for completion?
- What protections are in place if unforeseen delays occur?
- Who handles the legal side of the process – your solicitor or mine?
- How quickly can I get my money after completion date?
- Can I stay in my home as a tenant after sale? If so, for how long?
- Are there any other terms, conditions or restrictions attached to your offer?
Reputable cash buying companies will be transparent about their valuation process, fees, timescales and offer terms. Be wary of any company that is vague, evasive or omits key details.
How to Get the Best Price From a Cash Buyer
While the convenience of a quick cash sale comes at the cost of a lower price, here are tips on maximising your sale price:
- Get quotes from multiple buyers – The more buyers you get to value your home, the better chance of a competitive offer. Compare their valuations carefully.
- Be flexible on timescales – Buyers will pay more if you can offer them quick completion and vacant possession on completion.
- Consider including furniture – Leaving curtains, white goods, furniture etc can sweeten the deal for investors.
- Improve kerb appeal – Little fixes like modernizing your porch, painting doors, tidying gardens, washing windows can boost perceived value.
- Declutter and clean – Presenting your home in its best possible condition encourages higher offers. Spend some time having a good clear out and follow these top tips for organising and decluttering your home.
- Negotiate – Politely challenge the initial offer and provide evidential reasons why your property is worth more.
With the right approach, you can potentially achieve up to 85% of market value from a cash buyer. Do your research to understand your home’s true value.
What Are the Best Cash House Buying Companies?
There are many cash property buyers operating in the UK – how do you know which to trust? Here are some of the highest rated cash home buying companies:
- We Buy Any Home – One of the UK’s largest and best rated cash home buyers. Known for making quick and competitive offers. This review of We Buy Any Home indicates they provide an excellent service but you need to be wary of a few things, take a look at the review.
- HouseBuyFast – Long established company with fantastic Trustpilot ratings for their transparent and efficient service.
- Cash 4 Homes – Fast, fuss-free cash offers on any type of property across the UK. Over 20 years of experience.
- Quick House Sale – Will buy properties in any condition and deliver reliably fast completion.
- Sell My Home – Specialise in buying probate properties and those with structural issues. Trustpilot rated as excellent.
The most reputable buyers will be transparent, make fair offers, and guide you through the process. Check independent review sites like Trustpilot.
The Cash House Buying Process: Summary
Selling your property quickly for cash offers an easier route than the traditional method. Here are the key steps:
- Valuation – Get initial cash offers from one or more buyers. Compare carefully.
- Site visit – Buyer inspects property and makes formal offer.
- Due diligence – Surveys done and contracts prepared by solicitors.
- Exchange – Contracts signed and non-refundable deposit paid.
- Completion – Balance transferred, keys handed over on completion day.
The benefits include speed, efficiency and avoiding a falling through sale. Be sure to negotiate the best possible price and ask buyers questions upfront.
Selling your home to a cash buyer can be the ideal solution if you need to sell promptly with minimal hassle and uncertainty. Following this guide will help you secure the fairest deal.
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