How to Spot a Genuine Cash House Buyer

The one trick to watch for: the last-minute chip

Ask anyone who’s had a bad experience with a quick-sale company and you’ll hear the same story: they were offered a strong price, went weeks down the road with it, then – a day or two before exchange, when they were committed and couldn’t easily start again – the buyer “discovered a problem” and dropped the offer by thousands. That’s the last-minute chip, and it’s the single biggest reason people distrust the sector.

A genuine buyer prices the property properly at the start and holds that figure. Our guarantee is that the price we offer is the price you get – in writing, with no renegotiation before completion.

Your genuine-buyer checklist

• Companies House – a real registered company with a trading history and registered office.
• Redress scheme – a verifiable member of The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme.
• No up-front money – no charge for valuation, offer or admin; legal fees covered.
• Written offer and terms – a clear figure, timescale and process you can read.
• Price held to completion – ideally guaranteed in writing.
• Named, independent reviews – real people, ideally with their town, on completed sales.
• No pressure and no tie-ins – you’re never rushed into an option or lock-out agreement.

Questions to ask any cash buyer

1. What’s your company number, and are you a member of a redress scheme?
2. Is your offer in writing, and is the price guaranteed to completion?
3. Are there any fees at all – valuation, legal or admin?
4. Can I speak to recent, named sellers you’ve bought from?
5. Who pays for the solicitor, and can I use my own if I prefer?

A genuine buyer will answer all of these openly. If the answers are vague, or the price “depends”, be cautious.

Common questions

Related guides