Struggling to sell your house? Could a house buying company be the answer?

Selling a home in Birmingham can be a long and stressful process. According to Zoopla, the average property here takes around 196 days to sell—that’s more than six months. Flats take even longer, averaging 267 days. For many homeowners, that’s simply too long to wait. And that assumes the sale goes through to completion. According to the property selling advice site Property Sale Watchdog almost 1 in 3 sales will collapse.

If you’re under time pressure to sell, or have a problem property you just can’t sell, you might consider a professional house buying company. They promise speed and certainty—but can you trust them? And if they can buy your house in a matter of weeks then what’s the catch?

Why people use house buying companies

There are two main reasons Birmingham homeowners choose house buying companies over estate agents:

1. Speed and certainty Life doesn’t wait for the property market. Chains collapse, buyers pull out, and delays cost money. If you need funds, waiting six months or longer isn’t realistic. If speed and certainty matter more than getting the very best price, then it is worth a call to a house buyer.

2. Selling problem properties “as is” Homes with structural issues, short leases, or in less desirable areas often struggle to sell. A genuine cash buyer can take these challenges off your hands quickly and without you needing to do any repairs. And a genuine house buyer won’t charge any fees (estate agent, legal, survey).

Can you trust a house buying company?

The answer is yes— but only if you do your own homework.

Chris highlights five things you must check when talking to a house buying company:

1. Always get proof of funds A reputable buyer will be happy to show you a bank or accountancy-issued letter confirming they have the cash available in the bank to buy your property now.
2. Experience and a history of buying property Ask for the registered company number so you can check out the company’s trading history on the Companies House website. It is free to do and could save lots of time and angst. A genuine company will have lots of “charges” registered as it buys and sells.
3. Beware of claims about regulation unfortunately this market isn’t directly regulated so beware of anyone who says they are. Genuine firms – like House Buyer Bureau - are registered with National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), The Property Ombudsman and comply with Trading Standards industry codes.
4. Check out genuine customer reviews Genuine companies will have plenty of customer reviews on platforms like Google, Trust Pilot and their own websites. Be wary of companies who only share their 5-star reviews – it suggests they have something to hide. Some sites, like House Buyer Bureau, also include video testimonials.
5. Look for independent recommendations There are several independent property websites that offer advice on the best way to sell a property. These experts like The Advisory, Home Selling Expert, and Property Sale Watchdog can all provide valuable, free advice on the best companies to approach and the ones to avoid.

Scams to watch out for

Not all house buying companies are the same. And there are several common scams you need to be wary of:

• Tie-in contracts & delay tactics Some firms lock you in, then stall while they hunt for a buyer because they don’t have funds themselves.
• No proof of funds If they can’t show you a statement proving they have the funds, they’re likely just selling your details to someone else.
• Last-minute price drops Inflated offers that suddenly shrink just before completion, when you’re already fully committed.
• Hidden fees Genuine buyers don’t charge upfront fees or cancellation fees.

Kelvin Elliott from Property Sale Watchdog says “The biggest red flag when dealing with a cash house buying company is if they make you an offer and then ask you to sign a contract. A genuine company should never require you to sign a contract before the sale is completed.

“The only contract you should sign is the one your solicitor provides just before completion. Many companies inflate their initial offer to win your business, then drag out the sale and later reduce their offer when you’re already committed. Bottom line: Never sign a contract with a cash house buying company—avoid this and you’re 90% of the way to dealing with a legitimate company.”

“It’s a question of priorities – speed and certainty vs best price”.

A final word from Chris Hodgkinson

Selling to a property buying company isn’t for everyone. The offer you get will be lower than you will get selling via an estate agent. If you can afford to wait, then you should. But if you can’t then what you will get is a simple cash sale, in a timescale that you control, and the reassurance and certainty that the sale will go through without paying estate agent, legal or surveyor fees.”

Chris says, “At House Buyer Bureau, we’ve been buying property for 15 years. We always use our own cash, are fair and transparent with our sellers, and will work with you to buy in your timescales. We can give you an idea of what we’ll pay in just one call – and will never put you under any pressure to sell to us.”

Ready to sell quickly and safely?

Talk to a trusted buyer like House Buyer Bureau:

• Cash ready to buy (proof provided)
• 15 Years of experience
• Fully transparent and signed up to regulatory bodies
• Hundreds of verified reviews
• Recommended by leading property experts

Visit House Buyer Bureau for more details and a free cash offer.