Express House Selling

bigmootwo

Thank you @RAS, we're aware of the legalities and as far as it goes I want the best and most for my remaining parent, she is already being cared for luckily and we're in a very good position, but never the less, my parents didn't work hard for what they have for it to be reduced by a possible scam, and of course emotions are very different in the circumstances so we have to stay strong, thanks again.

ReadySteadyPop

Albermarle said:

theartfullodger said:

Sorry to read your story.

Only go that way if you are ALL happy to lose a lot of money.

What does land registry say about who owns the place now?? Sisters and you?? Or parents.  If paents do you have PoAs to permit you to sell?? Otherwise you're kinda stuck.

Good luck.

Looking at the website of 'Express House selling agency' it is not clear that they are one of these typical ' We buy any House' operations, which is what I guess you have assumed ( I did when I first read the OP)

They promote themselves more as online only Super Estate agents, with a bigger digital reach than normal, more buyers on the books etc, more super motivated staff etc 

There is a review here ( main point to note is that the 30 days sale time is just a target, no promises)
Express Estate Agency Reviews - 2025 Critical Analysis | Property Sale Watchdog

This is the main selling point for these companies, they will have a database of "investors", doesn`t mean those investors are going to rush into property now though, best route would be traditional and very sensibly priced.

ReadySteadyPop

Herzlos said:

I can't imagine what they'd do differently to any other quick house selling place, which is to make a painfully low offer and list / find a buyer at a discount then transact across. Often there's a change in valuation at the last minute meaning they need to knock another chunk off. 

For it to work out, they'd likely be offering something like 30% under market (knocked down to 40% later) and selling to to someone 10ppt above that. 

You'd be better just listing with a local estate agent at a figure between 30% below and market. The same buyers will see it anyway. 

They won`t, that is the point of the "international buyers database" or whatever they call it. If sellers would just price correctly for their local market these companies would be out of business, of course if demand for an area has dropped the EA won`t be able to sell either, even at a sensible price.

Herzlos

ReadySteadyPop said:

Herzlos said:

I can't imagine what they'd do differently to any other quick house selling place, which is to make a painfully low offer and list / find a buyer at a discount then transact across. Often there's a change in valuation at the last minute meaning they need to knock another chunk off. 

For it to work out, they'd likely be offering something like 30% under market (knocked down to 40% later) and selling to to someone 10ppt above that. 

You'd be better just listing with a local estate agent at a figure between 30% below and market. The same buyers will see it anyway. 

They won`t, that is the point of the "international buyers database" or whatever they call it. If sellers would just price correctly for their local market these companies would be out of business, of course if demand for an area has dropped the EA won`t be able to sell either, even at a sensible price.

Do you really think shrewd international buyers are just sitting waiting on an estate agent to send them an email?

You can browse rightmove and buy from anywhere. 

ReadySteadyPop

Herzlos said:

ReadySteadyPop said:

Herzlos said:

I can't imagine what they'd do differently to any other quick house selling place, which is to make a painfully low offer and list / find a buyer at a discount then transact across. Often there's a change in valuation at the last minute meaning they need to knock another chunk off. 

For it to work out, they'd likely be offering something like 30% under market (knocked down to 40% later) and selling to to someone 10ppt above that. 

You'd be better just listing with a local estate agent at a figure between 30% below and market. The same buyers will see it anyway. 

They won`t, that is the point of the "international buyers database" or whatever they call it. If sellers would just price correctly for their local market these companies would be out of business, of course if demand for an area has dropped the EA won`t be able to sell either, even at a sensible price.

Do you really think shrewd international buyers are just sitting waiting on an estate agent to send them an email?

You can browse rightmove and buy from anywhere. 

They are waiting for a  company that specialises in desperate sellers to send them an e-mail, not all property for sale goes on RM and you can`t really gauge the seller from the ad anyway, by approaching the quick sale company the seller announces that they are desperate and will take what they can get but there are less investors interested in UK property now, it isn`t the investment it used to be.

Murphybear

bigmootwo said:

Hi, any advice with signing up with a so called 'Express House selling agency?' We have our parents home to sell following a death and now dementia with the remaining parent.
My sisters are fairly keen to go ahead with 'Express Estate Agents' who allegedly can sell the house within 30 days, they've said they have buyers waiting, investors who buy without looking physically at the house. 
I'm feeling more than sceptical about the whole idea, whilst it would be great to sell the house quickly if this is even a possibility I feel these agents have hidden agendas. 
They've given my sisters all sorts of promises - I don't believe many of these as the housing market and buying/selling process is extremely fickle in my opinion.
The real question is; can these agents be trusted or best with a traditional estate agent.

Can’t help you with the agents but wanted to express my sympathy for your are going through.   I’m going through something similar, my brother is in a care home with Alzheimer’s and his wife who was managing his affairs had a stroke and died 3 days later.  As the only relative I’m taking it over including selling the house