Sell House Fast: An Unbiased Look At
The Quick Home Sale Industry In 2022
Are you currently looking online for ways to sell your house fast but finding the whole experience confusing or overwhelming?
Springbok Properties has operated in the quick sale industry for over 12 years, and we fully understand that for most homeowners looking to sell online – it can be daunting!
We have put together this extensive guide on the industry so you understand the processes, have an idea of how much you will get selling your home using various quick sale methods, and what the scams and pitfalls are to watch out for.
Selling your home fast is a big decision and we suggest you thoroughly read this guide before making any decisions about your house sale.
What You Can Expect From This Guide:
- Chapter 1 – What Are My Options For Selling My House Fast?
- Chapter 2 – What Are ‘Quick House Sale’ Companies And How Do They Work?
- Chapter 3 – What Other Options Do I Have To Get A Fast Property Sale?
- Chapter 4 – How Can Springbok Help Me Get The Best Price And Quickest Sale?
- Chapter 5 – Questions and answers
By the end of reading our extensive guide you will be armed and ready with a full understanding of how to sell house fast, how to get the best possible price and how to avoid the scams often associated with we buy any house firms.
1
What Are My Options For Selling My House Fast?
Before we dive in to how to get your home sold fast, we would like to explore with you the various options you could use to get sold quicker than an estate agency could offer. Estate agents are well versed at selling property in the traditional sense, but if you need to sell your home quickly, they may not be as experienced.
Covered in this section:- What is the best option to get my property sold fast?
- How can I find a cash investor to buy my property?
- Can I sell quickly through a ‘quick sale’ estate agent?
- What about auctions; can they help me sell my home quickly?
- When is the best time to get my house sold fast?
- What if my property is not in good condition – will it still sell fast?
- What other advice can you offer for a fast house sale?
What is the best option to get my property sold fast?
The fastest and easiest way to sell your home quickly is through a cash buying company. These types of companies usually offer a ‘we buy any house’ service, which means they will pay cash for literally any property regardless of the location or condition.
Genuine cash property buyers can get funds into your bank account in 7 – 14 days; getting your sale done and dusted!
We cover quick house sale firms in more detail in Chapter 2, however we strongly feel using genuine companies that buy houses is the safest, easiest, and least frustrating way of getting a property sale done quicker.
The general benefits of using a cash buying firm are:
- You can complete on your sale in 7 – 14 days
- You have no legal fees or sale fees to pay
- You don’t need to put up a board (your sale is completely private)
- You don’t need to put up with timewaster viewings
- You get fast cash when you need it for your onward purchase (or whatever you need it for)
If you are interested in this option, skip to chapter 2 now to learn more; otherwise continue reading for more tips on getting your house sold fast.
How can I find a cash investor to buy my property?
Finding a local cash-rich investor to buy your property via a traditional estate agent is like finding the goose that lays the golden egg! Most investors do not buy off the open market simply for the fact that they are competing in an arena with regular buyers.
Cash property investors generally look to buy property at below market value. This means they will not pay the full price you are expecting for your home. Often, they are looking for property that is run down, facing repossession or has some other issue that a regular estate agent wouldn’t usually list.
The benefits of selling to a cash buyer do outweigh selling to a cash buying firm in that:
- You are usually dealing with someone local who knows your area and is willing to pay a little more for your home than a faceless cash buying agency
- You get to meet them face-to-face to discuss your property’s benefits and flaws
- You are more likely to be dealing with a genuine person than an online scam
Springbok Properties are cash buyers, but we also have a huge database of cash-rich investors in all areas of the UK. We often put buyers directly in touch with local investors who offer great prices and quick cash sales.
Can I sell quickly through a ‘quick sale’ estate agent?
There are many online estate agencies that claim to be a fast route to selling your home. They also often claim to have lists of buyers waiting to buy your home. The fact is anyone can say anything online and within reason get away with it.
Our experience in property and our vast knowledge of how the industry works has led us to believe that the majority of these ‘quick sale agencies’ can offer no more than what a regular estate agent would offer you. Therefore, you should always air on the side of caution if you are considering selling through an online quick estate agency (if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is).
Where we differ at Springbok Properties is that we:
- Can physically buy your home from you with our own funds
- Have an investment business of our own (with investors waiting to buy property)
- Have a genuine, bonafide estate agency of our own
- Have thousands of reviews from happy customersHave genuine options to get you up to 100% of market value
- Have genuine options to get you up to 100% of market value
Remember to always research any company thoroughly that you intend to do business with. Your property is your biggest asset, and you need to be sure you are in the safest hands possible.
What about auctions; can they help me sell my home quickly?
An auction sale is generally considered to be a guaranteed way to sell your house quicker than using an estate agent. Auction sales can be a solid route to getting sold fast especially if your property is unsuitable for the open market or needs numerous repairs.
Having said that, the entire auction process can be daunting for most homeowners and the prospect of putting your home up for bids is not for everyone. You also run the risk of your home not selling on the day.
Auctions have come a long way over the past few years and the modern method of auctions is proving popular. Most auction houses have moved to an online presence and the rules of selling have been updated with clearer fee structures.
If you are interested in learning more about selling at auction, please read our guide specifically created for auction sales.
When is the best time to get my house sold fast?
Usually, the best time to sell your home quickly is in the warmer seasons such as Summer or Spring. Having said that, if you need to sell fast there is never really a good time, you must just go for it.
Market trends generally show that a property sale in Spring far outweighs listing in Winter. The reason being is simply buyers are more in the mindset of the festive period. So there are likely to be far fewer buyers around.
If you are needing to sell quickly for cash, investors are normally buying in all seasons so the open market will have less of an effect on you. The same goes for cash buying firms who are open 365 days of the year.
What if my property is not in good condition – will it still sell fast?
The open market is generally not the place for property that is run down and in a state of disrepair; however, this shouldn’t stop you selling your house fast.
If you need a quick sale of your property and your home requires some modernisation or is a complete wreck you may be better off seeking a private buyer.
The issues you will face dealing with an estate agent is they prefer to list ‘pretty’ properties and if your home is a run-down, they won’t give it the attention it deserves.
If you sell your home privately to a cash buying firm, you get the benefits of:
- Not having to deal with nosey neighbours
- Not having to deal with people coming in for viewings
- No board needs to go up
- No disruption to your life until sale day
- Cash in the bank when you need it
If you do decide to list your run-down property on the open market and are still looking for a fast house sale, we strongly suggest you lower your asking price to a below market valuation. This way, you will entice buyers in and potentially create a ‘bidding war’ for your home.
What if my property is not in good condition – will it still sell fast?
If you have ruled out selling your home for cash to a house buying company and are not interested in selling at auction, your best option is the open market. However, you need to be careful dealing with estate agents and trying to sell your house fast.
- Some estate agents work on a commission basis. This means the higher the price they sell your home for the higher the fee they will earn. If you need to sell quickly waiting out for the best possible price may not be the answer to your problems. Some property just isn’t suitable for the open market. It depends on your personal circumstances and your reasons for needing to sell
- Often, simply reducing your asking price on the open market by as little as £5,000 could be all it takes to get your home sold. Be sure that your property is accurately valued by getting at least three opinions from local estate agents
- Most people don’t realise that simple modernisation, decluttering, and presentation is all it takes to get a property sold quickly. Take some time to study the market and learn what is selling and what is not. Be sure to collect feedback from people viewing your home so you can quickly learn if something is putting off potential buyers
By the end of reading our extensive guide you will be armed and ready with a full understanding of how to sell house fast, how to get the best possible price and how to avoid the scams that are ever present online.
2
What Are ‘Quick House Sale’ Companies
And How Do They Work?
As briefly mentioned in chapter 1, quick house sale companies are firms established purely for the purpose of buying houses fast for cash. There are many companies advertising online that claim to be genuine cash buyers; often stating to be able to buy any house, however, the industry is rife with pitfalls and as experienced property buyers ourselves, we feel it’s our duty to advise you on dealing with cash buyers.
Covered in this section:
- How do quick house sale firms work?
- How quickly will I sell and what price can I expect?
- What are the pitfalls of dealing with ‘sell house fast’ companies?
- What is the best way to stay safe online when looking for a cash property buyer?
How do quick house sale firms work?
If you are searching online for a company to buy your home from you, chances are you have discovered cash buying firms. Companies that advertise online to get your house sold fast are in the thousands; however not all of them are genuine cash property buyers. There is a difference between a quick sale firm that offers to ‘sell your house fast’ and one that offers to ‘buy your house fast’.
As the industry is unregulated, many property sale companies advertising online claim to be cash buyers and have the ability to buy your home from you for cash. However, they are acting as an estate agent, lead generation company or a go-between with an investor.
Speaking specifically of quick sale firms that are genuine cash buyers, you can expect:
- A fast cash, chain-free sale of your property in 7 -14 days
- No legal, valuation or any other costs incurred
- A completely private sale with no viewings or boards
- Approximately 85% of market value
- Sell any house regardless of the location or condition
Cash buying quick sale companies serve a great purpose if you need to dispose of your property quickly and an estate agent can’t do it. However, making sure the company you are dealing with is genuine is something you need to take very seriously.
How quickly will I sell and what price can I expect?
When selling your home to a fast sale company, the price you can expect to receive for your home will not be close to what you would expect to receive by selling on the open market through an estate agent.
Most quick sale companies that are genuinely looking to buy your home from you for cash will pay in the region of 70 – 85% of market value. The reason being is they are offering you cash in the purest sense. This means no chains, no mortgages, and no pull-outs. They are taking all the risk of your home reselling for a profit in a given timeframe (usually 90 days).
If a company offers you 100% of market value and claims they are buying for cash, you need to be very dubious. The simple fact is these agencies are not charities. They have staff to pay and bills like any other company; and therefore they are out to make a profit. Buying your home for 100% of market value would not make any sense to them.
If you need 100% of market value for your home and are unable to settle for any less, a cash sale may not be for you. We have alternative options to get your home sold quickly for 100% of market value that you may wish to consider.
What are the pitfalls of dealing with ‘sell house fast’ companies?
As previously mentioned, there are many misleading claims and inaccurate advertisements in the cash sale industry for homeowners looking for a fast house sale. Our simple table below highlights some of the types of companies you need to be wary of:
Your first point of call when addressing if a company can buy your home from you for cash is to check out the NAPB (National Association of Property Buyers) to see if they are listed. If they are not, chances are they aren’t buying your home for cash.
If you do manage to find a reputable cash buying company to buy your property, your next set of pitfalls comes in unscrupulous tactics that some firms use to get your property for a low-ball price. This includes:
- Asking you to pay for valuation fees
- Dropping their offer even further on the day of completion
- Pulling out of a sale
- Failing to disclose hidden costs (such as legal fees)
If you want a genuine cash offer from a trusted buyer, Springbok Properties can help you. We have been buying houses quickly for cash for over 12 years.
What is the best way to stay safe online when
looking for a quick sale cash buyer
If you are serious about selling your home quickly and want to do it online without the assistance of an estate agent, you will need to make sure you stay completely safe.
The first step you should consider is to take the time to visit the following websites to get as much information as you can about how the quick sale process works:
- National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) – specifically set-up to protect homeowners dealing with cash property buying firms
- The Property Ombudsmen – An organisation set-up to ensure the safety of homeowners selling their property. This mainly applies to estate agency sales, however the TPO also have an approved list of cash property buyers
- Citizen Advice – If you are feeling pressured into a sale or something doesn’t feel right about a company you are dealing with, the Citizen Advice should be able to offer some guidance
- Money Helper – A website set-up by the UK government to help homeowners understand the quick house sale industry
By the end of reading our extensive guide you will be armed and ready with a full understanding of how to sell house fast, how to get the best possible price and how to avoid the scams that are ever present online.
3
What Other Options Do I Have To
Get A Fast Property Sale?
If all else fails and your only option to sell your house fast is the open market, there are a few tips and tricks you can try to get your home moving quickly. With our extensive market knowledge, we have highlighted what we feel are the best ways to get sold fast on the open market.
Covered in this section:
- Perfect pricing for a quicker than average sale
- When a quick tidy up goes a long way
- Asking for proceedable buyers only
Perfect pricing for a quicker than average sale
The simplest yet most overlooked way to get your home selling quickly on the open market is to reduce your asking price. In fact, a simple reduction of £5,000 could be the reason why your home is not selling in the first place.
- Check the sold history prices in your area to determine if your home valuation is accurate
- Ask other estate agents if your home seems overvalued
- Use free tools such as Zoopla to research your area
When a quick tidy up goes a long way
Selling your home is all about presentation and this is especially true if you are selling on the open market to the general public. There are many factors you can research into getting your home up to scratch to help it sell. The basics are:
- A clean and presentable front garden and door
- A warm and friendly atmosphere
- An uncluttered and spacious environment
- A pleasant odour often helps (that means pets go outside for the day)
Asking for proceedable buyers only
If you speak with your estate agent, you should be able to request that you are only presented with proceedable buyers. This means they are mortgage ready, not in a chain and more likely to complete on the sale of your home
By the end of reading our extensive guide you will be armed and ready with a full understanding of how to sell house fast, how to get the best possible price and how to avoid the scams that are ever present online.
4
How Can Springbok Get Me The Best
Price And Fastest House Sale?
Unlike traditional high street estate agents who specialise in the property market in one geographical area, Springbok Properties has sold more than 5,500 homes across the UK. This means that regardless of where you live, we can sell your house fast.
Our knowledge of the UK-wide property market puts us in an excellent position to sell your house fast. From Glasgow to London, Leeds to Bristol, we've helped vendors achieve 100% of their home’s agreed asking price.
Proactively marketing properties across Right Move and Zoopla, Springbok Properties can give your home exposure to up to 135 million users. This exposure means we can reach serious buyers in a way that traditional high street estate agents simply cannot.
We can also buy your home directly from you for fast cash.
To find out how we've helped customers with our ‘sell house fast service’ in your area, contact us today on 0800 068 7935.
By the end of reading our extensive guide you will be armed and ready with a full understanding of how to sell your house fast, how to get the best possible price and how to avoid the scams that are ever present online.
5
Questions and Answers
Do Springbok Properties buy in all areas of the UK?
We buy houses in any condition for cash across the UK (excluding Northern Ireland). We are able to purchase as far down as Dover and up to the highlands of Scotland with our team of expert property buyers across the UK. We have experts in each region of the UK who will be able to assist you with an accurate valuation and discuss your options to get your home sold fast.
Can the sale of my home be kept as confidential as possible?
Yes! If you are looking to sell quickly for cash, we will keep the sale of your property confidential. There will be no board put up, no viewings from buyers and your home will not be listed on portals such as Rightmove or Zoopla.
How long have Springbok Properties been established?
Springbok Properties has been established over 12 years. We are estate agents with a twist in that we can offer you multiple ways to get your home sold fast. Our experience is in getting property sold quickly on the open market, however we also buy houses fast for cash for our own portfolio.
How do Springbok Properties determine the market value of a property when buying for cash?
If we are buying a house for cash the market value of the property would generally first be determined by an inhouse desktop valuation. We would then instruct a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Surveyor to complete a survey on your home. If you are happy with the price we come back with after this survey, we could then proceed to a swift completion of your home.
Could I not part-exchange my house instead of selling it fast?
Part exchange is something that you could consider and we offer a great deal of advice about it in our part exchange guide.
Do you buy land fast for cash as well as property?
Yes! We are always looking to grow our portfolio. If you have land that you wish to sell quickly, please read our guide to determine the next steps as to whether we could help with your situation.
Do you buy commercial property fast?
If you have a commercial property you need to sell quickly, we are able to assist you with a fast cash purchase. Visit our commercial quick sale guide for further information.