How to spot a bad quick-sale buyer.

The tricks

The offer that drops

A generous verbal offer to get you to take the house off the market and instruct solicitors. Then, days before exchange, a "survey problem" or "funding issue" and a new figure 10% to 20% lower, when you have a purchase depending on it and no time to start again. The oldest trick and still the most common. Defence: written offer, proof of funds, and a buyer who belongs to a redress scheme so you have somewhere to complain.

The tie-in

An "option agreement", "lock-out agreement" or "exclusivity contract" presented as a formality before the valuation. It gives the company the right to buy (or to market the property) for months, sometimes years, at a price they set later, and you cannot sell to anyone else. Defence: sign nothing before a written offer, and take any document to a solicitor.

The fee

A "valuation fee", "administration fee" or "legal pack fee" to progress your offer. Genuine buyers pay their own costs and yours. Defence: never pay anyone to receive an offer.

The assisted sale dressed as a purchase

"We'll buy your house" that turns out to mean "we'll market it for you and take a cut, and buy it ourselves only if it doesn't sell". No speed, no certainty, and a contract. Defence: ask, in writing, "Are you buying this property yourselves with your own funds?"

The fake valuation

A "market value" pulled from the air (or from the highest asking price in the postcode) to make an 80% offer look generous, followed by a "revised valuation" after the visit. Defence: check sold prices yourself on Rightmove or Zoopla before you speak to anyone.

The pressure

"This offer is only valid for 48 hours." "We have another seller waiting." Real buyers do not need to pressure you; the certainty they offer sells itself.

The checklist

Before you instruct a solicitor with any cash buyer:

1. Are they buying with their own funds? Ask for proof of funds: a bank statement or a solicitor's letter confirming cleared funds, dated recently. A funded buyer provides it without fuss.
2. Are they a member of the National Association of Property Buyers? Check on the NAPB website, not on their own site.
3. Are they registered with a redress scheme? The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. Check the scheme's register.
4. Is the offer in writing, with the price, the completion date, who pays legal fees, and the conditions under which it could change?
5. Have you signed anything? If yes, and it is not a sale contract drawn up by your own solicitor, stop and get advice.
6. Have you checked the company? Companies House for age and filed accounts; reviews on Trustpilot or Google, reading the one-star ones in particular; and a search of the name with "review" and "complaint".
7. Is your solicitor yours? The buyer may pay, but the solicitor acts for you. If you are pushed towards one firm and feel uneasy, use your own.
8. Have you compared? A second opinion from another buyer or an auction house costs nothing.

Every buyer we introduce has passed 1 to 3 before we work with them, and has agreed in writing to 4 and 5. Run the checklist on them anyway; it is your house.

If it has already gone wrong

Complain in writing to the company, then to their redress scheme (if they are in one) and to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice. If you signed an option or lock-out agreement, see a solicitor about whether it is enforceable; some are not. And tell us: if it was a buyer we introduced, we want to know.

A note on the numbers. Percentages, timescales and costs on this site describe what is typical in the UK quick-sale market in 2026. They are not offers. Any offer comes from the buyer we introduce you to, after they have assessed the property, and it is theirs alone. Take independent legal advice before you exchange contracts on any sale.