A cash buyer is someone who can purchase a property outright without relying on a mortgage, loan, or the sale of another property.
This means they have the full funds readily available, making the transaction faster and more secure. In 2024, cash buyers accounted for nearly 33% of all property transactions in the UK, reflecting their growing influence in the housing market.
Here at Property Saviour, we reveal the tricks of the trade and what to look for as we expose the so-called cash buyers.
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House Buying Companies: How Much Do They Really Pay?
Cash house buying companies typically offer between 70% and 75% of a property’s market value. While this is lower than what you might achieve on the open market, the trade-off is speed and certainty. For homeowners needing a quick sale due to financial difficulties, divorce, or relocation, this option can be invaluable. However, sellers should weigh the financial hit against the convenience of avoiding estate agent fees, repairs, and lengthy chains.
Are Cash House Buyers Legitimate?
Unfortunately not many cash house buyers are legitimate and operate transparently.
Quite a few of the so-called cash property buyers ‘borrow money’ to buy your house which introduces delays and uncertainty while they send out two estate agents to ‘value your house’.Â
As the industry is largely unregulated, it’s essential to verify a company’s credentials before proceeding. Here is what you can do to protect yourself:
- Check their Google & Trustpilot reviews
- Have they got nameless reviews or genuine reviews like our Success Stories?
- Are they able to provide you with proof of funds?
- Have you checked their Limited Company for history of borrowing?
- Can you use your own solicitors?
How do cash house buyers work so fast?
When a typical house sale can take 6 months or longer, it can be difficult to get your head around ‘how can anyone buy a property in under 3 weeks’?
The difference is that with a normal sale, you are dealing with a nervous and often inexperience first-time buyer, whereas when it comes to cash house buyers, you are dealing with professionals.
- It is a direct private sale. There are no estate agents, viewings, negotiating on offers, wasting time with buyers stuck in a chain or unqualified buyers yet to apply for a mortgage!
- Finance is ready. Cash house buyers will be ready to show you their bank statements and won’t need a bridging loan or a mortgage. There’s no chain.
- Offer is issued within 48 hours. A formal offer is issued within two days. They can carry out a desktop valuation, and there shouldn’t be a surveyor in sight!
- Use best solicitors.  Normal solicitors take three weeks to ‘open a file’ and send you everything by post! They use solicitors who understand speed is of the essence, and that all documentation is completed online without worrying about documents getting lost in the post.
- They are customer-focused.  True cash house buyers are property professionals and not salespeople. They are focused on getting the best outcome for you and being flexible to your needs.
Are cash house buyers any good?
Whether property cash buyers are any good depends on your circumstances.
Genuine cash house buyers are a good option for a fast sale. They can make you a formal offer within 2 days and complete the purchase within 2 weeks. Â
Just because you are selling to a property cash buyer for a discount doesn’t mean they are perfect for everyone.Â
The table below shows you a comparison between selling to a cash house buyer and selling through an estate agent:
Selling to house buying company
Selling with an estate agent
Formal offer within same day or next day.
Conduct viewings, collect feedback and chase for offers
Complete in as little as 10 days or quicker.
It can take up to 6 months to agree a sale then there are delays with solicitors.
No contracts to sign.
Lengthy 3 or 6 month contracts and you can’t withdraw or pay a fee if you do.
Just one viewing and no chains.
Viewings at inconvenient times. Many buyers will be in a chain.
Sell your house ‘as is’ condition.
House must be at its best to impress and invite offers.
Sell for around 70-75% of value depending on condition.
Get the highest price possible.
Some disreputable companies.
Estate agents are regulated.
If you pick a reputable cash house buyer like Property Saviour, it will be the easiest house sale you have ever experienced. Effortless with a minimum of fuss or delay.
Let’s cover some of the benefits in more detail.
Why are cash buyers better for houses?
Selling your house with an estate can be very painful experience. So why is it so bad?
- Delays: it can take up to 6 months to sell on average and possibly longer for some unlucky homeowners.
- Stress: delaying with estate agents, solicitors, buyer’s surveyor, all the haggling after the survey, the painful property chain, and filling in the forms.
- Uncertainty: even without a property chain, a sale is 31% likely to collapse for various reasons, including mortgage-ability, buyer changing their mind, horrible solicitors, adverse searches or unfavourable survey report.
The best part of selling to a cash house buyer is that you’ll avoid a lot of delay, uncertainty or stress.
Is There Any Reason to Be Wary of Cash Buyers, Especially With High Offers?
While cash buyers can offer speed and certainty, there are risks involved—particularly with unusually high offers. Some unscrupulous buyers may lower their offer at the last minute or fail to provide proof of funds. This tactic, known as “gazundering,” can leave sellers in a difficult position.
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Warning Signs to Watch For:
- Reluctance to provide proof of funds.
- Pressure to sign contracts quickly.
- Lack of transparency about fees or processes.
- Reviews that reveal delays, last minute ‘adverse survey results’ as an excuse to drop their price right before exchange of contracts.
Who is the best house buying company in 2025?
If you were judging based on our review, we are often complimented by sellers as being one of the best house buying company. This is because we go the extra mile in understanding your needs and wants in order to help you decide whether selling your house for cash is the right option for you.
Where we believe better options are available, we will be quick to point this out and even give you helpful tips on how to maximise the returns from your property sale.
How do you verify a cash buyer’s legitimacy?
Selling your problematic home to a cash buyer can be an appealing option if you need speed and certainty, but you must verify any cash buyer’s legitimacy:
- Research thoroughly: Read “cash house buyers reviews” online to gauge reliability.
- Check on Companies House for their history of borrowing money.
- Ask key questions: Enquire about fees, timelines, and guarantees before committing.
- Ensure they don’t charge upfront fees.
- Confirm they have their own funds rather than relying on third-party lenders.
- Ask them if two estate agents will call around to value your home. This almost always means they need a bridging loan to buy your property.
- Who will be buying your property? Can they provide you with their solicitor’s details or are they an online estate agent pretending to be a cash house buying company?
What Types of Properties Do Cash Buyers Purchase?
Cash buyers purchase properties in any condition, including those with structural issues, short leases, or even sitting tenants. Their “we buy any house” approach makes them an attractive option for homeowners struggling to sell on the open market.
Can You Negotiate with Cash Buyers?
Yes, you can negotiate with cash buyers such as Property Saviour. If there’s a bit of wiggle room in the property, we will happily work with you.
Highlighting your property’s unique features may also strengthen your position.
Our price promise means we will never drop our offer price right before exchange of contracts.
Read their reviews on Trust Pilot and check their Google Reviews (ours are here). Â
Property Saviour proudly features some of our lovely clients on this site. Detailed case studies with the client’s personal story (published with their permission) help you gain a real insight into why people sell their home, how it all works and most importantly, how they felt after dealing with us.
Why Do Sellers Prefer Cash Buyers?
Sellers prefer cash buyers because they bring certainty and simplicity to the transaction. Without the need for mortgage approvals or lengthy chains, there’s less chance of the sale falling through. This reliability is especially appealing in competitive markets or when selling properties with issues that might deter traditional buyers.
How Quickly Can a Cash Buyer Complete a House Purchase?
Cash buyers can complete a house purchase in as little as 7 to 28 days. This speed is possible because they eliminate delays caused by mortgage approvals and property chains. For sellers needing immediate funds or facing tight deadlines, this quick turnaround is highly advantageous.
This doesn’t mean you need to move out straight away as we will work with your timescale and support you throughout the process.
Do Cash Buyers Pay Less for a Property?
Yes, as cash buyers we pay less than the market value for a property. This is because they offer sellers the benefit of speed and certainty, which can be invaluable in urgent situations. However, the reduced price is balanced by the absence of estate agent fees, legal delays, and potential costs associated with failed transactions.
We pay around 70% of market value. This is because we have to pay 5% stamp duty, 2% in legal fees, 3% in holding costs such as utilities and around 20% gross profit before selling costs and tax.
What Is the Process of Selling to a Cash Home Buyer?
Selling to a cash property buyer involves a straightforward process:
- Contact the buyer and provide property details.
- Receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24-48 hours.
- If accepted, the buyer conducts legal checks and arranges viewing and gets solicitors onboard.
- Completion can occur in as little as 7 days, with funds transferred directly to your account via your solicitors.
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This streamlined approach eliminates delays caused by mortgage approvals or property chains.
Do Cash Buyers Require Proof of Funds?
Yes, any legitimate cash buyers must provide proof of funds to demonstrate they can purchase your home outright.
This typically includes recent bank statements. Sellers should always request this proof before proceeding to ensure the buyer has the necessary resources.
Can You Sell a House with Tenants to a Cash Buyer?
Yes, cash buyers often purchase properties with sitting tenants. This is particularly advantageous for landlords looking to offload rental properties without evicting tenants first. The buyer assumes responsibility for managing the tenancy after the sale.
Do Cash Buyers Need a Survey?
While most cash buyers do not require a full survey, some may still request a basic inspection or valuation to assess the property’s condition. This is especially common for homes with visible structural issues or legal complexities.
Are Cash Buyers Better for Inherited Properties?
Yes, cash buyers are an excellent option for selling inherited properties quickly. They eliminate the need for costly repairs or prolonged marketing efforts, allowing beneficiaries to settle estates efficiently and avoid ongoing maintenance costs.
Ready To Chat?
Not all cash house-buying companies are the same.
If you aren’t in a rush to sell, we recommend finding a good estate agent and incentivising them to sell your house.
If you need a quick sale, we’ll be happy to make you an offer, provide proof of funds, and view and instruct solicitors. We will never drop the price because we want your five-star review. Please fill in our enquiry form to sell your house in 10 days or within your timescale.
Sell with certainty & speed
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 ÂŁ1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.Â
- 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.Â
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.Â
- 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.
