Can you trust a house buying company to quickly buy your property in Blackpool

Can you trust a house buying company to quickly buy your property in Blackpool? Here’s what you need to know

Selling a house in Blackpool isn’t always straightforward. According to Zoopla, the average property here takes 110 days to sell, and many homes linger on the market for six months or more. Flats take the longest at 177 days. That is simply too long for many sellers and can leave you frustrated and stuck, particularly if you are under time or financial pressures or have a property that’s proving hard to sell.

And that assumes your sale will ‘complete’. Sadly 1 in 3 property sales fall-through due to renegotiation by the buyer, problems getting a mortgage or your chain collapsing due to issues further down the chain that are nothing to do with your sale.

Into this cauldron step professional house buying companies that promise a fast, hassle-free sale in weeks, not months. But is it too good to be true and can you really trust them to do what they say?

Why people use house buying companies

We spoke to Chris Hodgkinson, MD of one of the UK’s oldest house buying firms – House Buyer Bureau. Chris says, “Anyone who has sold property knows the time, stress and costs involved, as well as the risk of chains collapsing and a sale falling through. House Buyer Bureau takes away that uncertainty and provides a simple sale in timescales you control. Yes, you will get less for your property selling this way, but our sellers genuinely value the time and money saved, as well as the stress avoided by completing a sale in weeks, not months.”

There are two main reasons Sunderland homeowners choose this route:

1. Speed and certainty If you’re facing time or financial pressures, moving for work, or to be near family, then waiting months for a buyer isn’t realistic. Chains collapse, buyers pull out, and delays cost money. House Buyer Bureau cuts through all that and offers speed and certainty.

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 genuine property buying firms won’t charge any fees (estate agent, solicitor or surveyor).

Can you trust a house buying company to do what it says?

The answer to that question is a caveated “Yes”. But you must do your homework and only talk to a genuine property buying firm.

Highlight this quote

Trust is everything in this business. If a company can’t prove they have the funds to buy your property, or if they can’t complete the sale within weeks, then walk away. A genuine buyer will always be transparent and upfront with you.

Chris Hodgkinson, Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau

Here’s what to check:

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.
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 “charges” registered as it buys and sells properties.
Beware of claims about regulation Unfortunately this market isn’t directly regulated so beware of anyone who says it is. Genuine firms – like House Buyer Bureau - are registered with National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), are members of The Property Ombudsman and comply with Trading Standards industry codes.
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.
Look for independent recommendations There are several independent property websites that offer great 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

Gavin Brazg, the Founder of The Advisory says to beware of tie-in contracts, no proof of funds, last-minute price drops, and hidden fees.

“The quick sale industry is infested with sharks, scammers, and fake cash buyers. The classic scam works like this: they over-promise with an unrealistic high offer, use delay tactics to drag out the process, then drop the price at the 11th hour when you have no choice but to accept. Many will also lock you into an option contract, preventing you from selling elsewhere. Worse still, most don’t have the cash to buy your home—they’re just lead generators selling your details. 97% of companies out there are not genuine cash buyers. Always demand proof of funds and avoid signing option agreements”.

“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 and 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: