List it yourself and deal directly with buyers. You will still need a solicitor, and to reach Rightmove or Zoopla you need a listing service, since neither accepts private sellers directly.
Costs you: your time, and the negotiating position of someone who cannot say “I will have to check with my client”. You handle the viewings and the chasing yourself.
A fixed fee, often £1,000–£2,000, sometimes payable whether or not the property sells.
Costs you: less than the high street, but you are still on the open market, still in a chain, still exposed to a collapse. Check carefully whether the fee is due up front.
No agent at all, because there is no marketing — we are the buyer. No fees, legal costs covered to £1,500, a date you choose.
Costs you: 15–20% of market value. That is far more than an agent's fee and we will not pretend otherwise. You are buying certainty, not making a saving.
Selling privately, if you have the time and the property sells readily. An online agent if you want the portals without the percentage.
A cash buyer is the most expensive of the three in pure price terms. It makes sense only when speed or certainty is worth more than the difference. Choose it for those reasons, not to avoid a fee.
See also: cash buyer vs estate agent vs auction.
A few details online or over the phone — where it is, roughly what you think it is worth, and anything we should know. No forms to sign and nothing to pay.
From sold comparable evidence, not asking prices. Then, at our expense, an independent agent or surveyor validates that valuation. You are not charged for either, whether or not you go ahead.
We view every property in person before we commit. It is also your chance to meet us and ask whatever you want — we would rather you sold your house to someone you have actually met.
Typically 15–20% below market value, with £1,500 towards your legal fees and no fees of any kind deducted. We never offer money up front, and we would be wary of anyone who does.
Yours or one we recommend — the £1,500 applies either way. This is the stage where sales slow down, which is why we suggest firms used to working at this pace.
Exchanging locks the sale in at the agreed price. Completion is on your timetable — the same day if you need the money now, or months later if you need time to find somewhere, fit around a school term, or wait on a probate grant.
Yes. Conveyancing is a legal process and it happens whichever route you take. You can use your own solicitor or one we recommend — it makes no difference to us, and either way we put £1,500 towards your legal fees. We do suggest ours, for one practical reason: the most common cause of a slow sale is a slow solicitor, and the firms we work with are used to moving at this pace.
Not directly — neither portal accepts private sellers. You would need a listing service or an online agent to get on them, which is where the fixed fees come in.
Typically £1,000–£2,000, and often payable whether or not the property sells. Read that term carefully: it is the one that surprises people.
No. No fee, no commission, nothing deducted, and £1,500 towards your legal costs.
No — it is the most expensive of the three routes in pure price terms, because you give up 15–20% of the value. Choose it for speed and certainty, not to save a fee. If saving money is the goal, sell privately.
No. There is nothing to sign to get a figure from us, no exclusivity period, and no charge if you decide against it.
Whenever suits you. Once we exchange, the completion date is yours to choose: the same day if you need the money immediately, or months later if you need time to find somewhere or to fit around a school term or a probate grant. Exchanging locks the sale in at the agreed price; completing is on your timetable, not ours.
We are not members of a trade body and we do not claim to be. What we have is a 35-year record in property across several companies, and many millions of pounds of property bought. We are 5JE London Limited, company number 15891621 — you can look us up at Companies House before you speak to us.
Three things you can check with any buyer, including us: do they publish what they actually pay? Will they come and meet you in person? Do they ever ask you for money up front? Our answers are 15–20% below market value, yes, and never.
Want a cash offer with no agent involved?
Tell us about it and we will come back to you with a cash offer. No obligation, and nobody will pressure you.