Selling a property
Selling your house without an estate agent
An estate agent is not the only way to sell a house. Each route has its own pros and cons, and the right one depends on your property and what matters to you. Here is a plain comparison.
The main ways to sell
Each route asks something different of you, in time, effort and how much control you keep over the sale. Weigh up what matters to you before you choose.
- High-street or online estate agent: usually gets the open-market price, but it can take longer and fees apply.
- Auction: suits some properties, but there are fees, and with a traditional auction the sale is binding at the fall of the hammer.
- Private sale: you handle the marketing and viewings yourself.
- Direct sale to a buyer like us: usually below open-market value, but there are no viewings and no chain on our side.
Which route suits you?
If your house is in good condition and you are not in a hurry, an estate agent may get you more. If the house needs a lot of work, or you would rather avoid viewings, an auction or a direct sale may suit better.
A private sale can work if you are confident handling enquiries, viewings and negotiation yourself.
Think about what matters to you: the price, the certainty of the sale, how much you want to be involved, and whether you need to fit the sale around something else, such as a move or a family situation.
You can also ask more than one route for an idea of what to expect. Talking to an estate agent and to us at the same time gives you something to compare.
You still need a solicitor
Whichever way you sell, you need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work. Choose your own, so they are acting for you.
Your solicitor or conveyancer will check the title, answer the buyer's questions and deal with the money on completion. Ask for a quote before you instruct them, so you know what their fees will be.
Selling directly to us
We are not estate agents. Either we buy the house ourselves, or one of our investors buys it directly, so there is no agent in the middle and no viewings with strangers. We tell you who the buyer is before you agree to anything.
We have bought around 50 houses directly from sellers. We will look at the house with you, explain how we have reached any offer and leave the decision with you. If an estate agent looks like the better route for your house, we will say so.
How we can help
If you are weighing up a direct sale, we can tell you how it would work for your house.
- We'll look at the property and talk you through the options.
- If a direct sale suits you, we'll make an offer.
- There's no obligation to accept it.
- Your own solicitor handles the legal side.
Questions sellers ask
Thinking of selling?
Tell us about the property and we will talk you through the options. There is no obligation.