The best house buying companies in 2025

Disclaimer: The Property Buying Company understands how important it is to keep sellers’ interests safe, especially with a few bad apples operating in the industry. With over 13 years of experience, they’ve seen plenty of cash buyers come and go. Drawing on that knowledge, they want to help sellers spot a genuine cash buyer and make the best decision for their situation.

The best house buying websites in 2025 are…

When it comes to judging the best house buying companies which are currently operating in the industry, it's not so much the businesses you need to be looking towards - it's their customers. The people who were at one stage were wondering the exact same thing as you. Are property buying companies legit?

To finally put this to bed, we've scoured Trustpilot for the best quick house sale companies, so you don't have to...

Most house buying companies will cover your legal and selling fees, move quickly (sometimes completing in as little as 7 days), and have efficient systems to keep things running smoothly. While these are pretty standard across the industry, the best companies go further than just ticking those boxes.

What really makes the best stand out is their focus on providing great customer service – something that’s not always easy to find in a market that’s mostly unregulated.

Which house buying company is the best?

The National Association of Property Buyers currently lists 41 house buying companies operating across England and Wales, with many more on The Property Ombudsman list. With such a vast array of options, finding the best cash house buyer can feel overwhelming.

Using our cash buyer rating, calculated based on their Property Redress membership, Trustpilot score, and the number of reviews, we have found the top 5 cash house buyers of 2025. 

Below, we take a look at some of the best cash house buyers on the market:

The Property Buying Company

The Property Buying Company takes a straightforward and honest approach to house buying in the UK. Rather than making bold claims or criticising competitors, the company focuses on delivering a service that genuinely works for its customers.

As a real cash buyer, The Property Buying Company operates from a 3,000 sq.ft. office and has a team of over 40 property professionals and experts with more than 200 years of combined experience. This cash buyer isn’t here to steal your data and sell it onto a different company like many lead generation websites – your customer data is treated with the utmost care and privacy.

When it comes to buying properties, the company uses its flexible purchasing capacity of up to £10 million, steering clear of unreliable third party loans or financing. Over the past five years, The Property Buying Company group, has sold over £186 million worth of residential property in England and Wales.

The Property Buying Company is also proud to be an active member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), where it played a key role as a founding member. These memberships show the company's commitment to transparency, fairness and industry-leading standards.

Home House Buyers

Home House Buyers are a cash buyer that operates out of Harrogate, in North Yorkshire but have a nationwide reach. The company has been operating for over 10 years, but on their website claim they were one of the first cash buyers, with over 20 years of operational business.

Much like most cash buyers in the industry, Home House Buyers can buy your property in as little as 7 days, with their time to sell being listed as 7 to 28 days on their website. In addition to this, they will also offer you around 80% to 85% of your property's value – with 85% being their maximum offer limit.

They are registered with both the NAPB and TPO and they will pay all of your legal fees. 

Property Rescue

Property Rescue was established in 2005 and is one of the UK’s oldest cash buying companies, operating out of Borehamwood. They are active members of both TPO and NPAB, but will only offer you around 65% to 75% of the market value of your home.

Their average sale time is a little slower than the industry average, sitting at 14 days – but they can operate as fast as 7 days. Property Rescue also asks you to sign a tie-in contract which locks you into using their service for a set amount of time. 

My Homebuyers

Endorsed by Property Investment Project, it’s no surprise that My Homebuyers ranks highly on our list. According to their website, My Homebuyers claims they can buy a house slightly slower than the UK average of 7 days, but they emphasise flexibility, stating they can move at your pace. Their offers range between 80% to 85% of your property’s market value.

GoodMove

Based in Leeds, like The Property Buying Company, GoodMove is a cash buying company established in 2015 and an active member of both NAPB and TPO, showing their commitment to following industry standards.

However, unlike many cash buyers, GoodMove only covers up to £500 in legal fees, whereas most others typically cover these costs entirely.

GoodMove claims they can complete a house purchase in as little as three days, though their average sale time is around two weeks. They offer up to 85% of a property’s value, with that being their maximum offer limit.

What is a cash house buyer UK?

A cash buying company is much like it sounds — a business that specialises in buying homes for cash without the help of a mortgage or loan.

Think of them as similar to the cash buyer you'd find through the open market, only you won't have to spend hundreds of pounds in property marketing to attract them.

In fact, because the majority buy any house in any condition, you could actually say that you have the upper hand in negotiations; if you don't like their offer, you can simply walk away.

Cash buyers are becoming more and more common across the country, with Belvoir claiming that quick house sale companies now make up 35% of all property transactions in the UK. Cash sales are especially popular in the South West, where they account for 43% of transactions, while London sees 27% of its house sales conducted in cash.

What's more, going through a property buyer also comes with a few more added perks. You eliminate the faff that comes with property chains, be it the long wait times or the risk they could break.

You also complete far faster than the average sale if you go through a house buyer in the UK. According to The Advisory, even in a hot market, the average time to complete a purchase is in-between 60 and 90 days - a long while when compared with the 7-day completion boasted by some property buying companies.

Are companies that buy houses for cash legit?

Yes, the majority of cash buying companies are legit. Although, how legitimate they prove to be ultimately depends on which quick sale company you use.

Do business with a reputable cash buyer, and you'll likely have a smooth and stress-free sale, much like how you imagined. Issues only arise when you overlook warning signs and engage with a buyer who may not operate with the same level of integrity.

Although, that's not just the case with the property buying industry. When it boils down to it, companies in every business niche all vary in terms of reliability and reputation.

For some, they're first on the agenda and something they build their entire business around. Whereas for others it makes an appearance further down the pecking order. Not that it's something you can't sense though.

Understand what to look for in a cash buyer and you're far more likely to end up selling your house to a reputable company:

Something you have to be especially well-versed on when selling your home to a cash buying company because as of yet, the industry isn't regulated. Not that it's anything to be afraid of though.

In the UK, there's actually a fair few industries which still remain unregulated. These include cryptocurrencies, mobile learning, certain strains of business loans - the list goes on.

Basically, new industries which haven't yet aged enough to reach the point of being regulated. So, all this really means is that before selling your house to a quick sale company, you should do your research and get to know the industry first before diving in headfirst. Essentially what you're doing now.

What to look out for when selling to quick house sale companies?

While vetting an agent is relatively straightforward, vetting a cash buyer is less so. Opposed to estate agents, property buying companies use the internet as their shopfront - you'll find very few on the high street. So as a business you could say they're harder to vet. But that's not to say that doing so is impossible. 

Here's a couple of key details to look out for when searching for a legit cash buying company...

Home Buying Companies that buy houses with finance

If a company labels themselves a cash buyer, you'd assume they're sitting on heaps of their own cash poised and ready to buy your home, but that's not always the case. A fair few cash buyers have been known to use loans to purchase properties instead - i.e. they don't actually have cash, just access to it. 

So, in short, they don't actually have full control over your sale - their lender does. Luckily for you, The Property Buying Company buys property with cash from their £10 million purchasing facility.

The Property Ombudsman / NAPB

The best quick house sale companies will be members of the Property Ombudsman scheme and NAPB (National Association of Property Buyers). However, just because you see these logos on their website, it doesn't mean they're active members. 

For less legit cash buyers these are just a trust builder, designed to give you confidence in their brand. If in doubt, we'd suggest ringing the organisations to check.

Physical presence

You can always tell legit cash buying companies by their physical address. Put it into Google Maps and you'll likely be met with some interesting results.

Some companies will have a big, branded building (The Property Buying Company is over 3000 sq ft), whereas others won't look like a place of business at all. You may even find that you're not actually dealing with who you think you are, as it's not uncommon for various cash buying websites to be connected to the same address.

No digital footprint

This follows on from having a physical presence. If the cash buyer you are looking at has no socials, no reviews (or has a 100% 5 star reviews), then this should be a red flag that they are not genuine.

When it comes to cash buyers, we know what you’re thinking, ‘Aren’t these companies all just startups?’ Well, not exactly. While cash buyers might seem like a modern invention, some of the big players have been around for decades. And, let’s face it, if they’ve been in business that long, they’re probably doing something right!

Here’s a quick look at when some of the UK’s leading cash buying companies were founded:

See? Not so new after all. Some of the companies have been helping sellers for over 20 years! This should give you a bit more confidence when considering this route.

Lead generation websites

When you contact a cash buyer, you’re often treated as a business lead – essentially, a valuable piece of information for quick house sale companies. This is why it’s important to watch out for lead generation websites.

These sites aren’t actually house buyers themselves; they’re designed to collect your details (like your address and email) and sell them, or pass them on to other companies for profit, a kick back, or because they are a subsidiary for the initial company. 

Here are some examples of lead generation websites operating in the UK: 

Take The Advisory, for example. It presents itself as an independent property advice website and claims to run rigorous tests to identify genuine cash buyers, but in reality, it’s a lead generation site connected to companies like House Buyer Bureau and Quick Move Now. 

A company not included in this table is Home Selling Expert, which operates as an estate agency. However, their articles may give the impression that they are an independent, knowledge based resource. 

Following their Call To Action links leads readers into their system, where they become a lead for consultation with the company’s own team, rather than receiving unbiased recommendations for other house selling companies.

While it might seem helpful at first glance, it’s always worth digging a little deeper to understand who’s behind the advice and how they’re benefitting from it.

How do cash house buyers UK work?

Before you put your trust in quick sale companies, it’s important to understand how they work. Why? Because they operate differently from traditional estate agents. While there are some similarities, their approach is much simpler and straightforward.

Selling privately to a cash buyer means skipping a lot of the usual hassle. No need for marketing or finding a buyer – it’s all about speed and simplicity. If you’re in a hurry to sell your house, getting to grips with this process is vital. 

Here is our 6 step overview of how The Property Buying Company works:

1. Reaching out to cash buyers

The first step is simple – get in touch with a cash buyer, either through their website or by giving them a call. Both options work, but asking every company the same questions can help you figure out who’s knowledgeable and best suited to your needs.

Pay attention to how quickly they respond. A slow reply could mean a slow process overall. Using both online enquiries and phone calls can help you narrow down your options efficiently.

2. Property assessment

Once you’ve made contact, the cash buyer will want to learn about your property. Be prepared to answer questions about its condition, location and history. They’ll use tools like Google Maps and the HM Land Registry to get a clear picture of its value.

Be honest — if your property has issues like structural problems or a low lease, let them know upfront. Transparency saves time and avoids complications later. The best companies will send someone out to inspect your property before finalising their offer.

3. Reviewing the cash offer

After assessing your property, the buyer will consult their team to decide on an offer. You’ll then have a choice; accept the offer for a fast sale or negotiate for a higher price. If you negotiate, backup your request with reasons, like recent improvements or valuations from local estate agents.

Keep in mind that quick sale companies won’t offer full market value – they’re running a business after all, but they’re open to fair discussions.

4. Setting a timeline

Once you agree on an offer, the company will work with you to set a timeline for completion. Most cash buyers will claim that they can buy in as little as 7 days, and while this may be true, it is only in exceptional circumstances like immediate risk of repossession. 

It’s more likely that your house sale will be spread out over a couple of months, depending on your needs. Whether you’re sorting out a move, removals or financial matters, the process is flexible.

For example, here are The Property Buying Company’s fastest selling times over the past 5 years:

You might look at these average times to sell and think, ‘Over four months? That doesn’t sound very fast!’ But here’s the reality; when you accept a formal cash offer, you have the certainty of a guaranteed sale. That timeframe also gives you the opportunity to plan for your next steps, whether that’s relocating or making other arrangements.

By contrast, selling through an estate agent often means spending up to four months just waiting for a buyer, and that’s before you even begin the conveyancing process. If a cash house buyer claims their average sale time is just 7 or 14 days, it’s worth approaching that with some scepticism. In today’s housing market, such quick turnarounds are rarely realistic.

5. Surveys & legal work

Next, the company arranges surveys and kicks off the legal side. If there are no issues, things move quickly. Their trusted solicitors prioritise these sales, so you’re not stuck waiting like you might be on the open market.

6. Exchange & completion

Finally, you’ll exchange contracts (making the sale legally binding) and complete the sale. On completion day, the remaining funds are transferred, and the house is officially sold. Many companies can achieve exchange & completion in just 7 to 14 days.

In short, selling to a quick sale company is about simplicity, speed and avoiding the usual headaches. If time is of the essence, this could be the ideal solution for you.

What happens when a home buying company buys your house?

Selling your property to a home buying company offers a much quicker alternative to the traditional open market, helping you avoid the often lengthy and complex house selling process.

Most cash buyers aim to make the process as stress free as possible, by taking care of nearly everything – from managing the legal work to liaising with solicitors and ensuring the sale progresses smoothly and on time.

Some quick sale companies even cover your legal fees, depending on who you choose. For example, The Property Buying Company can help you sell in as little as seven days. However, they’ve found that many sellers prefer a timeline of 3 to 5 months, which can also be accommodated with ease.

What sale options do house buying companies offer?

When you sell with home buying companies, it should be made clear from the start that you will not be getting 100% market value for your property, and if any company tells you that you will, you should be very wary about continuing with the sale.

Most companies that buy your house will offer you 75%-90% of your properties value, however the exact amount that you are offered will depend upon the location, size, and condition of your property amongst a variety of other factors.

The Property Buying Company is one of the largest UK cash buying services, and has been active for quite some time. Let’s have a look at their average offer price over the past five years:

Some of the larger house buying companies will have a few different options for sale; with the direct cash buying route being the main avenue. They may also help facilitate investor purchases, or have a property auction platform to help sell the properties that they cannot buy themselves.

The Property Buying Company offers a variety of solutions to suit different seller needs. With a soft limit purchasing facility of £10 million, the company is ready to buy properties directly from its customers. However, since not every home can be purchased outright,  they also provide flexible options, including matching sellers with cash investors or selling properties through a dedicated property auction. And, for those with a bit more time, the company can list and market homes via its online estate agency.

A common question sellers ask is whether cash buyers must purchase directly to be considered legitimate. The answer is no – what truly matters is that cash buying is the core focus of the business. Providing alternative solutions simply adds flexibility and ensures sellers have the best possible options for their circumstances.

Sadly, not all companies operate with the same integrity. Some claim to be cash buyers but lack the actual resources, relying instead on investor funding or, worse, misusing seller information. 

To protect against this, sellers should always verify that the company is a member of trusted industry bodies like The Property Ombudsman and the National Association of Property Buyers. These memberships ensure accountability, reliability and adherence to industry standards in the cash buying industry.