When Selling To A Homebuying Company Is The Right Option

 

The slowdown of the property market and the continual need for some owners to sell their properties quickly has seen many more people use the services of specialist homebuying companies. Property buying companies are normally a group of cash funded investors who do not have to jump through the hoops of the normal property buying process. Their ability to attain quick finance and specialist solicitors mean they can purchase property within a month of first seeing it rather than the 4-6 months it normally takes. 

 

They can also offer services that estate agents can not such as flexible completion dates, rent back services and options to buy back. So why doesn’t everyone use them? 

 

Well in return for a buying peoples homes quickly they require a discount on the market value. This is often seen as the main disadvantage of using these companies and it is true that if you want to go the best price for your property you are best selling on the open market via an estate agent.  

 

However, the difference is prices is not as great as many estate agents would have you believe. There are many hidden costs of selling via an estate agent that do not occur when you sell to a home buying company. 

 

Firstly, when you sell via an estate agent you have to pay their costs which is normally between 1.5%-2.5% of the sale price. You then need to add legal costs and the cost of a Home Information Pack. You will have to pay none of these costs when selling to a home buying company as no estate agent fees will be liable, they will pay your legal fees, and no HIP is required as it is classed as a private sale. 

 

Other costs that are not immediately apparent is those of time and buying power. If you sell via an estate agent you could be waiting for months until the sale is completed by which time you may have missed the opportunity to buy the property you wanted. It is also worth noting that if you sell to a home buying company you will have the cash ready quickly to buy another property. This will put you in a far stronger negotiating position to buy your next property as you will not be in a chain and you have the cash ready. This can often lead to a discount on the purchase price.

 

A quick home sale to a property investor will also mean that you will not have to pay interest on your mortgage repayments as you have sold so quickly.