Selling a house is often complicated and time-consuming.
So it’s no wonder many people look for ways to sell their house faster.
However, sometimes fast isn’t enough. Some buyers want to sell their house urgently.
Let’s take a look at what solutions they have for this.
Reasons to sell a house urgently
Why might you need to sell your property urgently?
Here are some of the most common motivations.
1. Relocation
If you have accepted a job in another part of the country, or even one that requires relocating internationally, you’ll likely need to move immediately.
Given standard house selling timeframes, you may be unable to wait 2-3 months. Selling rapidly allows you to relocate on schedule.
2. Financial issues
You may need money quickly due to job loss, medical bills, or other unexpected costs.
Selling your home fast can give you the lump sum you need.
3. Inheritance
Perhaps you’ve inherited a property you want to sell promptly (maybe because you don’t plan to live there). This avoids extra paperwork and expenses.
4. Relationship breakdown
Following a divorce or separation, couples often sell their shared home quickly to finalise the split. This avoids further spending time living together.
What is the quickest way to sell my house?
What is the fastest method if your goal is to sell up fast? There are a few options:
Cash buying companies
Otherwise known as quick house buyers, these companies purchase properties directly from owners.
This avoids waiting for a buyer to get a mortgage, making it one of the fastest-selling methods.
Auction
With property auctions, a home sells in a matter of days. However, once you set a reserve price, you are not guaranteed to get your asking price.
Online estate agents
Also known as hybrid agents, online agents have lower fees than high-street agents.
They are still listed on property portals but mainly communicate via phone, email, and software, which can accelerate sales.
Pros and cons of using a cash home buyer
Pros
There are several benefits of selling to a cash buyer:
- Speed: The primary benefit is the rapid sale. Cash-buying firms can complete the transaction in as little as 7-28 days, while the traditional process takes 8-12 weeks. This accelerated schedule is perfect when you need to sell urgently.
- Certainty: With a cash buyer, the sale is not dependent on a buyer securing financing from a bank. There is a guaranteed purchase, which reduces the chances of delays or the sale falling through.
- Flexibility: Many cash home buyers are flexible on property conditions, allowing sales in any state. Whether your home needs repairs or is unmortgageable, these companies can still make an offer.
- Convenience: The streamlined process with a direct buyer saves you time and hassle. You skip staging, open houses, buyer negotiations and more.
- No chain: Broken property chains are a common problem for regular sellers and buyers. But with no onward property purchase, cash investors have no linked property sales that could collapse and jeopardise your competition.
Cons
- Below market price: Investors typically make offers under market value to buy fast with cash and profit on resale. However, prices still reflect property conditions and location.
- Costs: Although fees are lower without an estate agent, legal and moving expenses will apply. Factor these into any offer you receive.
- Limited time: Reputable cash home buyers give reasonable timeframes to complete. But unreasonable deadlines could cause stress.
A cash house buyer lets you sell your property quickly, reducing delays, uncertainty and stress during a difficult period.
However, consider the price offered to avoid accepting an unreasonably low valuation simply out of urgency.
What to look out for with cash home buyers
If you decide to sell your home rapidly to an all-cash investor, there are certain things to keep in mind:
- Check reviews: Research companies before selecting one to sell your property. Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge responsiveness, transparency, pricing and timeframe. Legitimate buyers have a strong reputation.
- Compare offers: Reaching out to multiple cash home-buying firms allows you to compare deals. When assessing offers, consider prices offered, fees charged, and expected completion dates.
- Use a legal advisor: Use a solicitor even with a fast sale. They can review the purchase contract for any terms detrimental to you before you commit legally.
- Beware of pressure selling: Avoid buyers who press you into making overly quick decisions or timeframes. Reasonable companies allow proper consideration of offers.
- Ask questions: If you have any uncertainties about the buyer, process or contract terms, keep asking questions. Professional buyers will gladly provide clarity.
The right cash home buyer makes selling your home quick, simple, and stress-free.
However, skipping due diligence can lead to legal issues or sales at undervalued prices. Use a legal professional to protect your interests, even during a rapid sale.
How to prepare your house for a fast sale
Once you’ve selected a cash home buyer, you must prepare your property for accelerated sales.
These steps are similar to ways to make a house sell faster.
Declutter thoroughly
Clean the entire house and remove all clutter, especially in crucial areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entranceways.
Pack away personal items and minimise furniture to make rooms appear larger. This showcases your property at its best.
Take care of minor repairs
Although cash buyers purchase as-is, handling minor fixes still adds appeal.
Fill holes in walls, fix leaky taps, replace cracked tiles, and touch up paint jobs. Spot cleaning carpets also keep your home looking its best.
Get professional cleaners
Hiring professional cleaners ensures your property shines.
Ask them to thoroughly clean the kitchen, bathrooms, walls, floors and windows so everything sparkles. This can dramatically enhance first impressions.
Maintain the garden
Kerb appeal matters, even when selling to a cash investor who will likely renovate before reselling.
To keep the garden neat:
- Mow the lawn
- Weed flower beds
- Sweep paths
- Trim hedgerows
- Clean garden furniture
Organise paperwork
Property sales require documentation such as:
- Proof of ownership
- Instruction manuals
- Certificates
- Warranties
- Recent utility bills
And more.
Having these to hand will significantly speed up fact-finding and conveyancing.
Vacate early
To hand over the keys immediately after exchanging contracts, gradually move non-essentials to your new home. This also makes pre-completion visits easier for developers.
Keep communicating
Provide updates to the buyer on your moving plans and progress in preparation. This helps align both parties for a smooth completion. Reply promptly to queries, too.
Preparing your home correctly allows cash buyers to assess property conditions accurately from the start, speeds up conveyancing, and keeps the sales timeline on track.
What happens on completion day?
Once contracts have been signed and a completion date agreed, what can you expect on the big day? Here are a few common vital steps:
Final walkthrough
On the morning of completion, the buyer may perform one last inspection to ensure that you’ve moved out and the property is in the expected condition.
Keys handover
You must hand over all keys to the buyer, including those for outbuildings, garages, and gates. Ensure copies are all labelled clearly.
Meter readings
Take the final gas, electricity, and water meter readings and pass them along to the buyer.
Solicitor confirmation
Your solicitor will confirm once funds are received. Only after this point are you required to hand over the keys and vacate the property.
Completion statement
Your legal representative will supply a completion statement outlining all costs deducted, such as legal and moving fees.
Handover
Once your solicitor gives the go-ahead, you can hand over the keys, and the new owners can begin renovations and prepare for resale.
Sell your property urgently with We Buy Any Home
If you are looking to sell your property urgently, We Buy Any Home can help you.
We are quick house buyers who can purchase your property up-front and quickly, without hassle or stress.
Using our own funds, we will purchase your property:
- At a set price
- By a date of your choosing
- fully managed from beginning to end
Some of our clients sell their house with us within just 7 days.
Fill in our enquiry form below if you want a cash offer for your house.
