Direct buyers versus intermediaries
A direct buyer purchases the property itself. An intermediary finds an investor to buy and may take a fee or a margin. Neither is automatically bad, but you should know which you are dealing with, because it affects how likely the sale is to complete at the agreed price.
Warning signs
Be cautious if you see any of the following:
- A high initial offer that is cut sharply just before exchange.
- Pressure to sign quickly or to agree a long exclusivity period.
- Upfront fees, or fees deducted from your proceeds that were not mentioned at the start.
- Insistence that you use their solicitor.
- Promises that something is 'guaranteed' without saying what the conditions are.
A simple comparison checklist
Get each offer in writing. Compare the amount you will actually receive after all fees, the date they will commit to exchange, whether the figure can change and why, and whether you can withdraw without penalty. Check reviews on independent platforms and look the company up on Companies House.
Questions
Is a quick sale company better than an auction?
It depends. Auctions are fast and public but carry fees and become binding immediately. A direct buyer gives you a known date and no seller fees.
Do you charge fees?
No. We are a direct buyer and charge no seller fees.
See how our process works, check local sold prices, or read our FAQs.