Cash house buyers: what to check before you sell
A genuine cash house buyer purchases your property directly with its own funds, without a mortgage, and gives you a written offer with no upfront fees. Many sites calling themselves cash buyers are actually lead brokers who sell your details on. Check proof of funds, Companies House records, and body membership before you commit.
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Tell us the postcode and we'll come back with a price we can complete on. No fee, no obligation, no agent visits.
What is a genuine cash house buyer?
A cash buyer purchases property using its own money or funding facility, not a mortgage. That removes the biggest cause of sale delay and collapse: a buyer's mortgage application falling through. A genuine buyer surveys the property, makes an offer, and completes on a date you agree, usually within 7 to 28 days.
The term gets used loosely. Some "we buy any house" sites are not buyers at all. They are marketing fronts that collect your address and phone number, then sell that enquiry to a panel of investors or smaller cash-buying firms, sometimes for a referral fee. You end up dealing with a company you never chose, and the original site has no further involvement or accountability.
How do you check a cash buyer is real?
- Proof of funds. A genuine buyer can show evidence of the funds available to complete, on request.
- Companies House number. Look up the company, check when it was formed, and read its filing history.
- Membership of a recognised body. The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) and The Property Ombudsman (TPO) both operate codes of practice for property buying companies.
- Written offer. A real offer is put in writing, ideally after an independent survey, not just quoted over the phone.
- No upfront fees. You should never be asked to pay for a valuation, survey, or "processing" before a sale.
What is price-chipping and how do you avoid it?
Price-chipping is when a buyer agrees a figure early, then cuts it close to completion, betting that you're too far in to pull out. It usually shows up as a late "survey issue" or a vague excuse a few days before exchange. Ask any buyer, in writing, whether the offer is locked once the independent survey is complete. If they won't confirm that, treat the initial figure as a marketing number rather than a real offer.
Genuine cash buyer vs lead broker vs marketplace site
| Genuine cash buyer | Lead-generation broker | "We buy any house" marketplace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who actually buys the house | The company you spoke to | A third party you weren't told about | Whichever investor bids on your lead |
| Funds used | Own funds, no mortgage | Unknown until passed on | Varies by investor |
| Offer basis | Independent survey, written offer | Often a rough online estimate | Auction-style bidding on your details |
| Fees to you | None | None directly, but referral fee built into a lower offer | None directly, but same risk applies |
| Accountability if it goes wrong | Direct, same company throughout | Limited, they've already sold your lead | Unclear, multiple parties involved |
Who are The Quick House Buyers?
We are The Quick House Buyers, a trading style of Upstix Technologies Limited, registered in England and Wales under company number 13180792. We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under reference ZB295950. Our offices are at Leeds LS1 4AG and Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 0XF. You can call us on 020 3744 0249. We buy directly, we do not pass your details to third parties, and any offer we make is confirmed in writing after an independent survey.
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Common questions
- What is a genuine cash house buyer?
- A company that buys property directly with its own funds, without a mortgage, and intends to complete the purchase itself. It is not the same as a website that collects your details and sells them on to third parties as a lead.
- How do I check a cash buyer is real?
- Ask for proof of funds, check their Companies House number and filing history, ask if they're a member of the National Association of Property Buyers or The Property Ombudsman, and get any offer in writing. A real buyer will not ask for money upfront.
- What is price-chipping?
- It's when a buyer agrees a price, waits until you're close to completion and emotionally or practically committed, then reduces the offer knowing you have little time to walk away. Ask any buyer in writing whether the offer is locked once the survey is done.
- Are 'we buy any house' websites the same as a cash buyer?
- Not always. Some are genuine buyers. Many are lead-generation sites that pass your details to a panel of investors, brokers, or other cash-buying companies, sometimes for a referral fee, which adds a layer between you and whoever actually buys the house.
- Do genuine cash buyers charge fees?
- No. A legitimate cash buyer does not charge you for the valuation, the offer, or the process, and typically pays your legal fees as part of the deal.
- Is a cash buyer regulated?
- Buying property for cash is not itself a regulated activity in the same way as mortgage lending, but reputable buyers register with the ICO for data protection and can hold voluntary membership of bodies such as the NAPB or TPO.
Want a real number on your house?
Tell us the postcode and we'll come back with a price we can complete on. No fee, no obligation, no agent visits.