Are cash house buyers legit?

It might seem surprising that someone would offer to buy your house outright, in cash, without the need for a mortgage. However, it’s more common than you might expect. 

In fact, over the past year, more than 32% of all house sales were made to cash buyers. A significant portion of these sales come from companies like The Property Buying Company, offering a straightforward solution to buy your house for cash.

The term ‘cash house buyers’ is commonly used, but from a seller’s perspective, the real question is: how can you be sure they’re legitimate and trustworthy? 

This article will guide you through everything you need to know about cash buyers and cash buying companies, and provide you with practical steps to verify their legitimacy and avoid any potential scams.

What is a cash house buyer?

A cash house buyer is someone who can afford to buy a property without requiring any additional funding which would traditionally be in the form of a mortgage or loan.

To be considered a cash buyer the funds must be available to them immediately. People sometimes misunderstand this and consider themselves cash buyers because they are selling another property, but you shouldn’t be reliant on a property sale to make the purchase.

The main benefit of a cash buyer is that they can act quickly, cutting out the need for a mortgage in the process saves several weeks. They also aren’t in a chain so are less likely to fall through on a purchase and therefore are generally a more reliable, and sought after buyer, from the sellers point of view.

What are cash house buying companies?

In a way, cash house buying companies are the evolution of your standard cash buying investor. They are companies that buy properties for cash, just as the name would suggest, but they tend to buy far more properties over a wider range of locations.

These cash buying companies often refer to themselves as “Sell House Fast Companies” or “We Buy Any House Companies”. Every company is different but they generally move far quicker than your standard investor as they have priority relationships with solicitors and progression departments to speed through the process as quickly as possible.

In return for the speed, just like a normal cash buyer, they tend to offer you below market value for your property, which again varies in price depending on the company.

Are cash buyers regulated?

Technically, no. Cash buyers are not legally regulated by any specific governing body. However, they are voluntary organisations that provide oversight, and it’s important to check if the cash housing buying company you are dealing with is a member of these bodies.

One key organisation to look out for is The Property Ombudsman. While membership is an option, reputable companies often display TPO’s blue logo, which signals their commitment to a code of conduct and provides you with access to an independent dispute resolution process. 

This service helps resolve any issues or claims that arise, offering an extra layer of protection that wouldn’t be available if you were dealing with an unregulated individual buyer.

Another organisation to look out for is the National Association of Property Buyers. NAPB members work closely with the Ombudsman and are committed to upholding the highest standards within the sector. Choosing a company that is part of both the TPO and NAPB ensures you are dealing with a legitimate and accountable cash buyer.

Are cash buyers reliable?

Cash house buying companies are among the most reliable buyers in the market. A common comparison is to liken them to the “We Buy Any Car” model in the property world – guaranteeing a fast purchase with cash. These companies, like The Property Buying Company, ensure quick and hassle free transactions, often closing deals faster than traditional buyers.

However, one trade off with cash buyers is that the offer will usually be below market value, reflecting the speed and convenience of the service. If you’ve experienced challenges with unreliable buyers on the open market, turning to a reputable cash buying company can help keep your house sale on track and moving forward without delays.

Should I accept a cash offer for my house?

Let’s say you’ve listed your house for £200,000 and received a lot of interest. One of the potential buyers claims to be a cash buyer and it may seem surprising that someone can spend that amount of money outright. Naturally, you might wonder, “Is this a legitimate offer?”

In reality, property cash buyers are more common than you might think. Many of these buyers are investors or companies like ourselves, that specialise in quick cash purchases. The key advantage of a cash buyer is the speed and certainty they provide, as the sale isn’t dependent on mortgage approvals or lengthy chains.

However, it’s important to make sure you are dealing with a reputable cash buyer. While there are many legitimate investors and companies offering genuine cash offers, there are also less scrumptious buyers who may not follow through or could lower their offer at the last minute. 

To protect yourself, always check whether the buyer is part of trusted organisations like The Property Ombudsman or the National Association of Property buyers as these memberships offer an extra layer of security and accountability.

Ultimately, accepting a cash offer can be a great choice if you need a quick and hassle-free sale, but it’s important to verify the buyer’s legitimacy before proceeding.

How to know if a cash house buying company is legit?

If you are looking at selling your home to a cash house buying company, there are a lot of them out there, which is why it's important that you carry out several checks:

By following these steps, you can make sure that the cash house buying company you are dealing with is trustworthy and capable of completing the purchase of your home in a straightforward and ethical manner.

Are cash buyers more likely to pull out?

It’s reported that over 45% of sellers who sold their homes in the past two years experienced a buyer pulling out on the open market. On average, more than 30% of all house sales collapse due to chain breaks, with various parts of the process falling through.

In contrast, only 1% of sales with cash house buyers fail to complete, and when they do, it’s usually due to undisclosed issues revealed during a house survey. This means that 99% of transactions with reputable cash buyers, like The Property Buying Company, successfully complete, offering a much more secure option compared to traditional sales.

Should I sell my house to a cash buyer?

Deciding whether to sell your house to a cash buyer is a personal choice that depends on your circumstances. Usually, cash buyers, whether investors or companies, are looking for a good deal, meaning their offer will usually be below the market value of your home.

However, the major benefit of selling to a cash buyer is the convenience and speed. You can complete the sale much faster and with far less hassle compared to traditional routes, especially if you choose to sell to a reputable company that specialises in cash purchases.

The decision ultimately comes down to how urgently you need to sell and how much value you place on a quick, hassle-free transaction. If time is of the essence, a cash sale could be the ideal solution. If you’re considering this option, we can provide a no-obligation offer on your home. The process is quick and easy, requiring just a short phone call to gather details about your home — so why not give it a try?

Should I sell my home to a We Buy Any House company?

We Buy Any House companies, like The Property Buying Company, aren’t the best option for everyone. If your goal is to sell your home for full market value and you have time to wait for the right buyer, it’s better to sell through a traditional estate agent.

However, if you want to sell quickly, move on from your home with minimal hassle and have your solicitor fees covered, then using a We Buy Any Home company could be the ideal solution. Here at The Property Buying Company, we offer a fast, hassle-free sale, allowing you to avoid the complexities of the open market. If that sounds like what you need, consider selling to us today.

We are a legit cash home buyer

At The Property Buying Company, we buy houses in any condition, anywhere across the UK, and our process is lightning fast! Being able to sell in as little as 28 days, and with an average sale time of just 2-3 weeks, we’re 13 times faster than traditional estate agents, getting you the cash you need without all the delays or complications. 

Unlike property auctions or online estate agents, where fees can quickly pile up — sometimes exceeding £5,000, we’re completely upfront about our costs. With us, there are no hidden charges or unexpected surprises. Our goal is to provide a straightforward, transparent service from start to finish. 

As one of the UK’s leading cash buyers for residential properties across England and Wales, we offer competitive, fair cash offers, ensuring you can sell your house quickly and hassle-free. Forget about costly renovations, endless viewings or prolonged negotiations. We buy directly, so you can focus on what’s next.

With over a century of combined experience in the property industry, we bring unrivalled expertise to each sale. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding you through the entire process, offering personalised support tailored to your unique situation.