Best House Buying Companies for 2024
Last updated: 16/05/2024
If you want to find the best house buying company for your home, you've come to the right place.
This guide has everything you need to make an informed decision, providing transparent insights to important questions like:
- Which company that buys houses can you trust to deliver on their promise?
- How much of the property market value do they actually pay?
- Who are actually legit cash buyers with their own funds and good reviews & reputation?
-
- Revealed: UK's Best House Buying Companies
- How Much do they Pay for your Home in 2024?
- How to check if you're dealing with a reputable company
- Is a House Buying Service worth it in todays property market?
- What are House Buying Companies?
- How Companies that Buy your House Work
- Home Buying Companies vs Estate Agents
- Types of Quick Sale Companies
- Key benefits of Quick Home Buyers
- Compare House Buying Companies
- How to Spot Scams & Fraudulent House Purchasing Companies
- Trade and Regulatory Bodies Membership
- Frequently Asked Questions about Property Buying Companies
The Best House Buying Company is ...
Selling your home and moving on can be exciting, overwhelming and scary all at the same time. It can be difficult to find buyers you can trust.
We've taken the initiative to meticulously review various quick sale companies, aiming to pinpoint the best cash house buyers UK. Our analysis is grounded in their website buying service, specialised expertise in the quick sale sector, online reputation and external reviews.
Housebuyers4u, one of the oldest and most reputable companies, known for operating ethically with transparent advice & offers.
Crucially, they are genuine cash buyers that utilise their own funds to buy property. They will buy any house in any condition and can complete a house sale in as little as 7 days, here are some real case studies of previous customers.
Their unbeatable "completion guarantee" sets them apart from competitors - they are the only firm to offer this perk.
They are registered with the Property Ombudsman & the National Association of Property Buyers and follow the TPOS code of practice.
Housebuyers4u has had its expertise published in multiple national newspapers such as EstateAgentToday, The Metro and The Daily Mail.
They have some of the highest review scores across multiple websites: Trustpilot, Feefo & Google. Read more via the Housebuyer4u reviews page.
HouseBuyFast is a home-buying company based in Worthing and was founded in 2008.
They have been in the quick sale market for many years, and their co-founder Jonathan Rolande is well-known & respected in the property space.
Their big claim is that they can purchase a home within 3 days. Every property selling scenario is different, so if you choose to sell with HouseBuyFast and need a sale within 3 days, confirm how this will be achieved before proceeding with negotiations.-review plate for competitor: add 1 line with As of April 24th
As of April 2024, Housebuyfast have 39 reviews on Trust Pilot with a score of 4.3.
Read our entire HouseBuyFast review.
Quick Move Now, established in 1998, stands out in the UK property market for it's rapid, cash-based property buying services.
Their commitment to expedited transactions, often within 7 days, caters to those needing swift closures. They are recognized for their ethical practices as members of TPO.
However, it's important to note that they might not cover all types of properties, which could be a limiting factor for some sellers.
As of April 2024, Quickmovenow has 88 reviews on Trust Pilot with a score of 4.4.
Read the full Quick Move Now review.
Property Solvers, established in 2006, is not just a quick sale firm but also offers a diverse range of estate agency and auction house services.
They promise fast transactions, though typically, the process takes 7 to 28 days.
Despite their multifaceted approach, they have relatively limited customer feedback on major third-party platforms like Trustpilot and Google reviews.
As of April 2024, Propertysolvers has 78 reviews on Trust Pilot with a score of 4.6.
Check out our full Property Solvers review.
National Homebuyers is a UK based company that buys houses directly from homeowners, headquartered in West Sussex, England.
Established in 2003 and headquartered in West Sussex, England, They are recognised for buying houses across the UK and their notable 'home buyer man' TV adverts.
They are not registered with the Property Ombudsman or the National Association of Property Buyers. So, before using the company, confirm that they have the capital to purchase a property fast and ensure they buy any house in any condition.
As of April 2024, National homebuyers has 564 reviews on Trust Pilot with a score of 4.1.
Read our comprehensive National Homebuyers review.
How Much do they Pay for your Home in 2024?
Unfortunately, even with a traditional estate agent, you likely won't get full market value. The latest UK market data shows that the average below-market figure will still grow in 2024.
Here is a data chart we've put together on the average price offered (for May 2024).
| Year | Average Price Offered |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 78-88% |
| 2022 | 75-87% |
| 2023 | 74-86% |
| 2024 | 73-84% |
In 2024, a home buying company's below market value offer will range from around 74% to 85%.
Want to know what factors Influence the Offer Price?
Researching the market, we have created this chart and table; it further breaks down the crucial factors, explaining why the above factors carry the weight they do. Although quite a few will be out of your control, you can use these insights to make a difference in your property's valuation and sale price.
| Factors that Influence Offers | How they can Affect the Offer Price |
|---|---|
| Property Location | Prime locations often fetch higher offers |
| Property Condition | Better condition properties can lead to higher offers |
| Speed of Sale Required | Urgent sales might reduce the offer price (7 days or less) |
| Market Demand | High demand can increase the offer price |
| Property Size & Type | Larger or unique properties might get better offers |
| Legal or Structural Issues | Big issues can significantly lower offer prices |
| Economic Climate | Economic downturns might lower offer prices |
| Local Property Market Trends | Local market strength can influence offers |
In addition to the above, more and more people are greener, more environmentally friendly homes so be sure to take this into account.
Related: What is my house worth in 2024?
How to check if you're dealing with a reputable company (step by step guide)
There are many so-called 'direct payment buyers' out there with various names that include 'sell', 'quick', 'fast' and more. Despite using these types of phrases, many of these companies don't offer a true cash sale.
Our property sale team have put together 12 critical checks you can do to verify if a property-buying company's offer is legitimate & that they are a trustworthy firm to deal with.
Is a House Buying Service worth it in todays Property Market?
Companies that buy property have changed the UK market by giving owners another way to sell their homes beyond the traditional estate agent route. Traditional methods of finding a buyer are not as effective – the offers from estate agents are lower, the process is too long, and the market has more frequent stagnant periods. If you are dealing with a reputable quick sale service, you can complete a sale and get paid faster than ever.
Although the growth is slow, there is more property than ever, over 25.2 million homes in the UK, with over 65% of them being owner-occupied.
While the number of homeowners has increased by more than one million since 1997, the current economic conditions, such as the recent increase in interest rates and the cost of living crisis, have caused house prices to fall throughout England, with estimations of a 2-4% drop in 2024. As a result, many homeowners are ready to cash in on their properties, and it’s easier than ever for them to find buyers without involving a middleman like an estate agent.
This paradigm shift has had a considerable impact on the property market, giving an edge to companies who purchase properties without the need for staging, viewing, boards, etc. – leading to a quick, pain-free sale.
As such, sellers are no longer willing to be tied down by an estate agent because they are afraid of the market. It also means that the sale process can start with online house buyers like Housebuyers4u.
Further reading: Future market & trends report
What are House Buying Companies?
These are companies that buy houses for cash, and have funds readily available to purchase your property outright, without the need for a mortgage or having to sell another property to free up funds for buying your home.
As the wait times rise in the UK's property industry, there's been a need for ways to sell property faster and at a profit. A slump in the housing market makes selling to people who buy houses for cash a viable option, as they can immediately make an offer thats backed up with their own funds.
How Companies that Buy your House Work
The 8-Step Home Selling Process that guarantees completion
Selling your property is a huge decision you want to pay off spectacularly. However, the trouble is that traditional buyer-finding methods don’t work anymore, especially during a stagnant market. The best quick house sale companies in the UK can complete within 21 days from offer to exchange date, thus relieving you from the hassle and stress of the conventional process.
Additionally, selling your property to house buyers is straightforward. Here's how it goes:
1) Get In Touch: : Call the firm and tell them about your property and how soon you want to sell it.
2) Get An Initial Offer: The company will give you a no-obligation cash offer based on their in-house valuation service and your provided information.
3) Make A Decision: Take your time to think about their offer. Ask them as many questions as you need to ensure your satisfaction with the selling process.
4) The Survey: Once you’ve accepted the offer, the company will conduct an independent structural survey of your property. If the survey results are satisfactory and show no signs of major issues such as structural damage, damp, infestations, or no building regulation approval for extensions, then they move on to the next step.
5) Formal Offer: At this time, they will send you a written formal offer and go ahead with
the paperwork once you express your agreement.
6) Easy Paperwork: If you agree with the details in the paperwork, they move forward quickly, working with established solicitors to ensure that the sales process is smooth and quick. Companies will also cover costs such as conveyancing and solicitor’s fees. These can typically amount to up to £500-1000.
7) Sale Completion: The sales process is considered complete on the same day as the exchange of contracts, but you can choose the date as well. Just let the staff from your
company know your preferences.
8) Get Cash ASAP: The proceeds from the sale are usually transferred to your bank account within a week.
House Buying Companies vs Estate Agents
The difference between selling to a property buying firm and through an estate agent is quite significant in terms of process, time, and sometimes, the financial outcome.
- Process and Timeframe: When selling to a cash buyer, the process is usually much quicker and involves fewer steps. There's no need to market the property, host viewings, or wait for a buyer's mortgage approval. In contrast, selling through an estate agent involves these steps and can take much longer.
- Financial Considerations: Cash buyers often purchase homes at a lower price point, as they usually offer to buy the house 'as-is', without requiring repairs or renovations. Estate agents aim to get the best market value for your property, which might be higher but also comes with additional costs like agent fees and potentially longer mortgage payments due to the extended selling time.
- Certainty of Sale: With cash buyers, once the offer is accepted, the sale is almost guaranteed. However, with estate agents, there's a risk of sales falling through due to factors like failed mortgage applications or changes in buyer's circumstances.
Read more: House Buying Companies vs Auction vs Online Estate Agents
Types of Quick Sale Companies
These companies offer a speedy alternative to traditional home selling. They streamline the process by buying your property directly, bypassing the open market. To make an informed choice, it's advisable to read we buy any house reviews for insights into different companies. This helps in choosing a cash house buyer that best meets your needs.
Generally, you’ll find the following 3 types of companies:
Genuine Cash Buyers
Non Genuine Cash Buyers
Real Estate Buyers Posing As ‘Advisors’
1. They work on your timeline
2. A quick route to selling your property
3. Straightforward, stress-free process
4. No added fees
5. House buyers service benefits
A serious disadvantage of working with estate agents is that 72% of the time properties sell for or below their original asking price. In a market where more than 8 in 10 homes sell for less than the asking price. More benefits a fast sale company offers:
- A fast, no-hassle sale
- Straightforward cash sales using the company’s private equity
- Direct communication between the property buyer and seller
- Rapid sales process for homeowners who require an urgent sale
- Coverage of all fees and costs
- Coverage for all survey and renovation costs as needed
- Services available across the UK, including Scotland and Wales
| House buying company | Rating | Trustpilot score | Google score | Feefo score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housebuyers4u | 5/5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| HouseBuyFast | 4/5 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Quickmovenow | 4.5/5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| Goodmove | 4.5/5 | 4.9 | 4.8 | No reviews |
| Property Buying Company | 4/5 | 4.6 | 4.2 | No reviews |
| Property Solvers | 4.5/5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | No reviews |
| National Homebuyers | 4/5 | 4.5 | 4.1 | No reviews |
| Open Property Group | 4/5 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.9 |
| Springbok Properties | 4/5 | 4.3 | 4.1 | No reviews |
| British Home Buyers | 4/5 | 4.9 | 4.9 | No reviews |
| Ready Steady Sell | 3.5/5 | 3.7 | No reviews | No reviews |
| We Buy Now | 4/5 | 4.4 | 4.1 | No reviews |
| SpringMove | 3.5/5 | 4.5 | No reviews | No reviews |
| TheAdvisory | 4/5 | No reviews | 5.0 | No reviews |
| Ask Susan | 3.5/5 | No reviews | 2.3 | No reviews |
| Property Cash Buyers | 3.0/5 | 1.3 | No reviews | No reviews |
| We Buy any Home | 4/5 | 4.0 | 3.9 | No reviews |
| Home House Buyers | 4/5 | 4.9 | 4.9 | No reviews |
| Smooth Sale | 4/5 | 4.9 | 4.9 | No reviews |
Browse our comprehensive reviews and expert insights to find the best company for your situation.
*Note: Review data is usually less than 12 months old, please click and read the individual reviews above for up to date details on each website.
It is best to work with reputable company that buys with their own funds so you don't fall victim to we buy any house scams and devious tactics that could cost you thousands of pounds and waste your time. We at HouseBuyers4u, always recommend you check their accounts. You can do this by asking the business who their underwriters are. After this, you can research the underwriter via companies house to see if they are a legitimate company.
Run away if the dodgy traders illude or seem to:
- Be undercover brokers or lead generation agencies. Sellers should look out for option agreements, very long quoted sale times, and companies/websites that ask for details but don't actually buy the house. They are just working to get your details so they can sell them to an actual company that can purchase this way with their own funds.
- They have an unnaturally high number of reviews, there are only so many properties even the largest firm can buy. So they could essentially be fake reviews. Fake reviews are often short and come in around the same time. In addition, if every reviewer only has 1 review, it could mean they are creating new accounts just to leave multiple reviews and then leave the account dormant.
- They are not registered with the Property Ombudsman or NAPB (National Association of Property Buyers).
- Have a reputation for over-promising and making unrealistic offers. Homeowners should read reviews to see if any customers have experienced this.
- They lock you in by forcing you to sign paperwork for an option contract. An option agreement will give the company legal control of your property.
- Some home buyers use delay tactics to drag the selling process on for several months. A few examples of delay tactics you should watch out for include survey delays, won't release funds, not answering important queries, dragging on the completion of crucial paperwork and more.
Related: Common myths & misonceptions about property buying companies
Attention: Beware of Excessively High Offers that seem too good to be true
A typical scam involves the sales agent of the company presenting seemingly high initial offers. This strategy is designed to build your hopes and secure a commitment.
When you're set to move, they abruptly insist on a lower price before proceeding with the exchange and completion, a practice known as "gazundering."
While walking away is an option, many sellers, facing financial constraints or eager to sell the property, reluctantly agree to these reduced terms.
National Association of Property Buyers
Property Ombudsman
- A reputable quick sale firm will be a National Association of Property Buyers member. The National Association of Property Buyers members must follow the strict professional standards in the Code of Practice, which The Property Ombudsman wrote.
- Legitimate house buyers are regulated and adhere to the Code of Practice set out by the Property Ombudsman. TPO does not regulate; it provides redress and HouseBuyers4u dispute mediation. The TPO is a non-profit enterprise, not a gov agency. This means adhering to its code of conduct is optional. This is a long way from regulation. The quick house sale market isn’t regulated, so you aren’t protected when selling a property to one of these companies. Using a company that’s part of the NAPB or TPOS, homeowners can complain to the ombudsman and get compensation if they find that the company has broken the TPOS Code of Practice.
Learn more about House Buying Companies
Understanding how quick sale companies work
- Common Myths About House Buying Companies Explained
- What do Companies do with my Home after Buying it?
- What Types & Locations do Quick Sale Companies Look for?
- The Legals of Selling to a House Buying Company
- How to Negotiate with Property Buying Companies to get more Cash
- "We Sold to a House Buying Company”: My Real Selling Story
- Online Reviews of House Buying Companies: What to Look Out For
- The Future of Technology in Quick Home Sales
- The Future of House Buying Companies in the UK (2024 & Beyond)
Click here to read more about the types of properties and locations cash buying companies look for
Yes 100%. Selling your house to a cash buyer is legal and recognised in the UK property market, there are some key differences to be aware of compared to traditional sales:
Process Simplification: The sale process is generally quicker and involves less paperwork since there's no need for mortgage approval.
No Mortgage Implications: Cash buyers don't require a mortgage, so the sale is not contingent on loan approvals, making the process smoother and reducing the risk of the sale falling through.
Use of Solicitors: The legal process remains largely the same, with solicitors handling the transaction. However, it can be more streamlined as fewer parties are involved.