Leading cash house buyers Good Move share their expertise on what cash buying is and how it works.

Cash house buying is an option that often suits people who need to sell their property quickly. This could be due to debt, relocation, or relationship breakdowns. The main advantage of using a cash house buyer is the speed of the sale and the potential savings on fees.

However, as a growth in search volume shows, many people wonder how the process actually works.

Good Move has outlined the steps involved:

Decide Whether a Quick House Sale Works for You
There are many reasons why people choose to sell their home quickly. These include debt repayment, significant life events such as divorce, or the need to relocate. With the average house sale in the UK taking up to six months, a quick house sale can be an appealing option for those in urgent need of selling their property.
The process begins when you contact a quick house sale company, either by completing an online cash offer form or by calling them to register your interest.

Property Appraisal
Once you have expressed interest, a property buyer will reach out to discuss your property, the potential offer, and next steps.
If the initial offer in principle appeals to you, arrangements will be made for a property appraisal. This service is free and comes with no obligation. To ensure due diligence, Good Move gets two separate valuations for every property.
After the property has been assessed, a report will be prepared by a surveyor or estate agent and shared with the buying company.

A Formal Offer Made (Subject to Contract and Survey)
A formal offer will then be made, subject to the findings of the property appraisal and the completion of necessary contracts. If the offer is accepted, solicitors will be instructed, and a RICS Homebuyer Report will be prepared. Good Move covers the cost of recommended solicitors or offers a £500 contribution towards solicitor fees for sellers who choose their own.

Once the solicitor’s reports and the RICS Homebuyer Report are reviewed, any issues that might affect the property’s value, such as structural damage or a faulty roof, are considered. At this point, the formal offer may need to be adjusted or, in some cases, withdrawn. Sellers are entitled to review all reports for full transparency.
Sellers can feel secured because Good Move operates under regulations set by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), The Property Ombudsman Scheme (TPOS), and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), ensuring an open, honest, and transparent service.

Completion of the Sale
Once the final offer is accepted, the sale is completed, and the funds are transferred to the seller’s chosen bank account by the acting solicitor.

Nima Ghasri, Managing Director of Good Move, comments:
“Transparency is one of the most important factors to look for in any cash buyer, and speed is often the key reason people choose this route. We aim to present an offer in principle within 24 hours and provide a final offer within 2–3 weeks. However, we recognise that every sale is unique and can, in certain circumstances, complete a purchase within 7 days.

There are, however, some red flags to watch out for with cash buyers. Some companies act only as brokers, relying on unpredictable investors, and should be avoided. Others claim to ‘buy any house’ but may require a mortgage. Since mortgages can take up to 12 weeks to process and are increasingly difficult to secure, this can cause delays.

Cash house buyers offer a straightforward option for those who need to sell quickly or want to avoid fees for surveys. Sellers aren’t dependent on mortgage financing, making the process simpler and faster.
The sector is also governed by the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), a self-regulatory body ensuring members adhere to a strict code of conduct and are registered with the Property Ombudsman. This provides additional protection for sellers.”