SELL YOUR HOUSE NOW TO A CASH READY BUYER

We Buy Any House

"We buy any house" companies buy your property directly for cash — any condition, any location — completing in as little as 7 days. A genuine buyer pays around 75–85% of market value, charges no fees, and is registered with the NAPB and The Property Ombudsman. The catch: this is the corner of the market where scams live, so knowing how to spot a real buyer matters more than anything.

The phrase "we buy any house" is used by hundreds of UK firms — some excellent, some brokers who never buy at all, and a few outright scams. This is the complete, honest guide: what these companies are, how they really work, how much they pay and why, the exact tricks to watch for, how to verify a genuine buyer, and how the alternatives compare.

What does "we buy any house" mean?

"We buy any house" is the advertising promise of a property-buying company: it will purchase your home directly for cash, whatever its condition or location, and complete quickly. Because there's no mortgage lender and no onward purchase, a genuine buyer can move in days rather than months. You'll see the same idea marketed as a "cash house buyer", a "quick house sale company" or a "property buying company" — they mean the same thing.

The trade-off is price. In return for speed, certainty and paying your costs, these companies buy below open-market value. Used well, it's the fastest, most reliable way to sell in the UK. Used carelessly, it's where the industry's worst practices live — which is why most of this guide is about telling a genuine buyer from the rest.

How do "we buy any house" companies work?

A genuine company follows a simple five-step process, and does the heavy lifting for you:

1. You get in touch with your postcode and a few details, and receive an initial cash offer — often within 24 hours.
2. They value the property using sold-price data and, for a reputable buyer, an independent RICS survey.
3. You receive a formal offer. With a genuine buyer, this shouldn't drop later unless something material is found.
4. Solicitors are instructed (a reputable buyer pays the legal costs) and contracts are exchanged.
5. Completion happens on your chosen date and the funds are transferred to your account.

How much do "we buy any house" companies pay?

A genuine cash buyer pays around 75–85% of market value. On a £250,000 home, that's roughly £190,000–£212,500 — with no fees and completion in weeks. The discount is the price of speed and certainty, not a trick.

Why do they pay below market value?

The margin covers the buyer's risk and costs: they pay your legal and survey fees, tie up their own capital, pay a higher rate of Stamp Duty as a company/additional-property buyer, and carry the risk of reselling — often within about 90 days — in a market that can move. Reputable buyers make a relatively small margin per property.

How is the offer calculated?

• Comparable sold prices from HM Land Registry and automated valuation data such as Hometrack.
• An independent valuation — often to RICS "Red Book" standards.
• The property's condition and any legal issues — an unmortgageable or run-down home costs more to resell, which is reflected in the figure.

Are "we buy any house" companies legit — or a scam?

Genuine "we buy any house" companies are entirely legitimate and have helped hundreds of thousands of UK homeowners. But the industry is largely unregulated — the Office of Fair Trading's 2013 study of the sector exposed under-valuations and last-minute price drops, which is why the NAPB and The Property Ombudsman introduced voluntary standards. Crucially, neither is a statutory regulator with the power to fine, so the responsibility to check falls on you. The good news: the checks are simple, and the rest of this guide walks through them.

What are the most common "we buy any house" scams?

Almost every problem in this industry is a version of one of these tactics. Learn them and you'll spot a bad actor quickly:

• The last-minute price drop. The most common complaint by far: an inflated offer is slashed days before completion (real cases have gone from £375,000 to £240,000). Offers aren't legally binding until exchange, which is exactly why some firms exploit it.
• Mis-sold "option agreements". You're told it's a cash purchase, but you actually sign an option or lock-in contract that lets the company market your home for commission — and walk away if no buyer appears.
• Land Registry restrictions (RX1). A firm asks to place a restriction against your title before completion — a serious red flag if done without your full, informed consent.
• Lead-generation firms. They don't buy at all — they capture your details and sell them to third parties.
• Hidden and upfront fees. Charges that only surface on completion day, or requests for "valuation" or "cancellation" fees up front.
• Fake or manipulated reviews. Only-5-star profiles, no recent reviews, or a flood of reviews in a short window.
• Untraceable directors. No company registration number, PO-box-only address, or a hidden legal entity.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers and high pressure. Promises of 100% of market value, 24-hour completion, or pressure to sign before you've read the contract.

How do you check a "we buy any house" company is genuine?

Run these checks before you accept any offer — a real buyer will pass all of them without fuss:

• NAPB and TPO membership. Verify it with the National Association of Property Buyers and The Property Ombudsman — that gives you a redress route.
• Proof of funds. A genuine cash buyer will evidence the money to complete (a bank statement or solicitor's letter). No proof, no deal.
• Companies House. Check the firm on Companies House — trading history, filed accounts and named directors.
• A guarantee-backed offer in writing. Get written confirmation the price won't change, ideally with compensation if it does.
• Never sign an option or lock-in agreement. The only contract you should sign is your solicitor's contract of sale.
• Your own independent solicitor. Use your own conveyancer, and ask to see the survey if the offer is ever reduced.
• Independent reviews across platforms. Read Trustpilot, Google and allAgents — including the negative ones — not just a curated wall.
• Get three quotes and a benchmark. Compare offers from at least three companies, and three local estate-agent valuations, so you know the real market value.

What questions should you ask a "we buy any house" company?

• Are you the direct buyer, or will you market my home to someone else?
• Can you show proof of funds right now?
• Are you members of the NAPB and The Property Ombudsman?
• Is your offer fixed and guaranteed in writing — and what could change it?
• Who pays the legal and survey costs?
• Can I withdraw at any point with no penalty?

Genuine cash buyer vs broker, iBuyer, estate agent and auction

"We buy any house" covers several very different operators and routes. Knowing which you're dealing with tells you how genuine, fast and safe the sale will be.

The honest rule holds across all of them: you can sell fast or for top price — rarely both at once.

The "we buy any house" company landscape

Dozens of firms advertise the phrase, and the names are confusingly similar — which is itself a risk, as scammers imitate established brands. A few of the better-known genuine operators include We Buy Any Home, We Buy Any House, Property Solvers, Quick Move Now, National Homebuyers and The Property Buying Company. They differ in important ways: some are NAPB members and some are not; some buy purely with their own funds while others also run investor-referral or assisted-sale routes. Always check membership and proof of funds for the specific company you're talking to, and don't assume a familiar-sounding name is the firm you think it is — verify the exact legal entity on Companies House. Our guide to the best companies that buy houses compares how their offers differ.

When should you use a "we buy any house" company?

A fast cash sale makes most sense when certainty and speed are worth more than the last few percent of price. Common situations include:

What are the pros and cons?

An honest summary of both sides:

Pros

• Speed — completion in as little as 7 days.
• Certainty — a genuine buyer's funds are ready, so no chain and effectively no fall-through.
• No fees — no commission, and legal and survey costs covered.
• Any condition — bought as-is, no repairs.
• Discretion — no viewings, boards or open-market exposure.

Cons

• You accept below market value — typically 15–25% less.
• The sector is poorly regulated, so due diligence is on you.
• Scams exist — the tactics above are real.
• It's not right if maximising price matters more than speed or certainty.

What are the alternatives to a "we buy any house" company?

A fast cash sale isn't the only option — weigh it against these:

• Sell on the open market with a high-street or online estate agent for the highest price, if you can wait. See our sell house fast guide for ways to speed this up.
• Auction — a legally binding sale with defined timescales; good for unusual or run-down homes. See selling at auction.
• Part-exchange with a new-build developer for a chain-free move.
• Talk to your lender if the driver is affordability — a payment arrangement or term change may help.
• Free debt advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange or Citizens Advice if you're in financial difficulty.

Why sell to Springbok?

Springbok Properties Ltd (company no. 09045757, Manchester) is a genuine, direct cash buyer — an NAPB member, regulated by The Property Ombudsman — that has helped more than 19,000 homeowners since 2012, with 11,700+ independent reviews and awards for customer service. Unlike most buyers, we give you a choice of routes rather than one take-it-or-leave-it figure:

Our offer doesn't change between agreement and completion, we cover all your legal costs, and you can check our cash buyer company reviews and verified seller reviews before you decide.

We buy any house: key terms explained

Genuine cash buyer

A company buying with its own funds, able to complete without a mortgage or onward sale.

Broker / lead-generator

A firm that doesn't buy your home but passes or sells your details, or brokers a sale for commission.

iBuyer

A technology-led company making instant, algorithm-based offers near market value for a fee; uncommon in the UK.

Proof of funds

Evidence a buyer holds the money to complete — the single most important check on any cash buyer.

Option agreement

A contract giving a company the right to market or buy your home later, sometimes mis-sold as a cash offer.

RX1 restriction

A Land Registry form used to place a restriction against a property's title; a red flag if requested before completion.

Gazundering

When a buyer lowers their offer just before exchange, when the seller is most exposed.

Assisted sale

A route where a company markets your home rather than buying it outright — slower, and not a guaranteed sale.

Exchange of contracts

The point at which a sale becomes legally binding; before it, either side can walk away.

The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

A voluntary redress scheme reputable buyers join; it can require compensation but cannot regulate or fine.