What’s the Best Way to Sell Your Property?

Compare estate agents, auctions and cash buyers to find the right selling method for your property.

Choosing the right selling method is just as important as choosing the right asking price.

Whether you’re considering a traditional estate agent, property auction or a cash buying company, this guide explains how each option works, their advantages and disadvantages, and when each is most suitable.

Quick answer

Which Selling Method Is Best?

🏡 Estate Agent
Often suitable for standard residential properties where achieving the highest possible price is the priority.

🔨 Auction
Often suitable for homeowners who value speed, certainty or are selling properties requiring renovation, probate properties, land or homes with legal or structural complications.

💷 Cash Buying Company
May suit sellers who need an immediate sale and are prepared to accept a lower price in exchange for speed and convenience.

What Is the Best Way to Sell My Property?

There’s no single best way to sell a property. The right approach depends on your property, your circumstances and what matters most to you.

A traditional estate agent may achieve the highest price for a well-presented home where there’s no urgency to sell. Property auction can provide greater speed and certainty, particularly for unusual or difficult-to-sell properties. Cash buyers may suit homeowners who need an immediate sale, although this often comes at the expense of price.

This guide compares the three main selling methods, explaining the advantages, disadvantages and the situations where each is most suitable.

Comparison Table

No single selling method is right for everyone. The comparison below highlights the main differences between estate agents, property auctions and cash buyers to help you decide which option best suits your property and priorities.

The ratings below are intended as a general guide. The most suitable selling method depends on your property, priorities and individual circumstances.

Estate Agent

Auction

Cash Buyer

💷 Potential Sale Price
The likelihood of achieving the highest possible sale price.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⚡ Speed of Sale
How quickly a sale can typically be completed.

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔒 Sale Certainty
The likelihood of the sale reaching completion once agreed.

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

🛡️ Price Security
The chances of the agreed price remaining unchanged until completion.

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

🔗 Chain Delays
The risk of delays caused by a property chain.

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🏚️ Complex Properties
Suitable for more complex property sales.

⭐⭐☆☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

🔨 Competitive Bidding
The potential for buyers to compete for your property.

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐☆☆☆☆

Typical completion times: Traditional property auctions often complete in around 28 days. Estate agent and cash buyer timescales vary depending on the transaction, property chain and individual circumstances.

Understanding Your Selling Options

While the comparison table provides a quick overview, the sections below explain each selling method in more detail. Explore the key advantages and important considerations to help decide which option best suits your property and circumstances.

Selling Through an Estate Agent

Advantages

📈 Achieve the Best Price

Properties are marketed to the widest audience, helping maximise interest and potentially achieve the highest sale price.

👥 Wide Buyer Market

Suitable for standard residential properties where buyers are likely to require a mortgage.

🤝 Flexible Negotiation

Offers can be negotiated and buyers may improve their price during the sales process.

Things to Consider

⏳ Longer Timescales

Sales can take several months depending on demand, surveys and the property chain.

🔗 Property Chains

Chains increase the risk of delays or the sale falling through.

👎 Price Renegotiation

Buyers may reduce their offer following surveys or before exchange.

Selling at Property Auction

Advantages

⚡ Fast Timescales

Traditional auctions often complete in around 28 days after the auction.

🔒 Greater Sale Certainty

Contracts are exchanged immediately when the hammer falls at a traditional auction.

🔨 Competitive Bidding

Multiple buyers compete openly, helping achieve the best possible market price.

Things to Consider

📋 Legal Pack Required

A legal pack should be prepared before the auction so buyers can carry out their due diligence.

🎯 Realistic Reserve Price

Setting an appropriate reserve is essential to encourage competitive bidding.

🏚️ Not Every Property

While many properties suit auction, a traditional estate agent may be more appropriate for some standard homes.

Selling to a Cash Buying Company

Advantages

⚡ Very Fast Sale

Some cash buyers can complete significantly faster than traditional sales.

🚪 Minimal Disruption

Usually fewer viewings and less preparation before selling.

🔗 No Property Chain

Direct purchases remove the uncertainty of onward chains.

Things to Consider

💰 Lower Offers

Cash buyers often offer below full market value in exchange for speed and convenience.

🔍 Research the Buyer

Standards vary between companies, so always check reviews and credentials.

👎 No Competitive Bidding

Unlike an estate agent or auction, cash buyers make a direct offer rather than competing against other buyers.

When Auction Can Be the Right Choice

Although auction can be suitable for many different types of property, certain situations are particularly well suited to the auction process.

Properties requiring renovation, inherited homes, land, tenanted investments and homes with legal or structural complications often attract experienced buyers who understand their potential. If your property falls into one of the categories below, explore our specialist guides to learn why auction may be the right option.

Property Condition

Some properties can be more difficult to sell due to structural issues, damage or construction type. Explore our specialist guides below to learn how auction can provide a faster and more reliable route to sale for a wide range of property conditions.

Unmortgageable Property

Explore how auction can help sell properties that are difficult or impossible to mortgage.

Non-Standard Construction

Learn how to sell properties built using non-traditional construction methods.

Fire-Damaged Property

Find out how auction can help sell properties affected by fire damage.

Subsidence Affected

Discover how to sell a property affected by structural movement or subsidence.

Flood-Damaged Property

Learn about selling properties with a history of flooding or flood damage.

Flat With A Short Lease

Explore your options for selling leasehold properties with a short remaining lease.

Japanese Knotweed

Find out how knotweed can affect a sale and the options available to homeowners.

Spray Foam Insulation

Learn how auction can help sell properties with spray foam roof insulation.

Property Situations

Explore our specialist guides covering some of the most common property situations where auction can provide a faster and more reliable route to sale.

Fast House Sale

Discover how auction can help you achieve a quicker and more reliable property sale.

Probate Property

Learn how auction can simplify the sale of inherited and probate properties.

Empty Property

Explore the benefits of selling vacant properties through auction.

Property Requiring Renovation

Learn how auction can help sell properties needing modernisation or repairs.

LAnd

Learn how auction can help sell land of all types.

Tenanted Property

Selling properties with tenants. Explore our specialist landlord guides →

Legal & Ownership Issues

Some properties are more difficult to sell due to legal or ownership complications. Explore our specialist guides below to understand the issues involved and how auction can provide a practical route to sale.

Missing Title Deeds

Learn how to sell a property when the original title deeds are missing.

Boundary Disputes

Discover how ongoing boundary disputes can affect a property sale.

Flying Freehold

Find out how auction can help sell properties with a flying freehold.

Restrictive Covenants

Learn how restrictive covenants can impact the sale of your property.

Missing Building Regulations

Explore your options for selling a property without building regs or planning approval.

Unregistered Property

Learn how auction can help sell properties that remain unregistered.

Absent Freeholder

Learn about your options for selling leasehold properties with an absent freeholder.

Possessory Title

Find out how auction can help sell properties with possessory title.

Still Not Sure Which Selling Method Is Right?

Every property is different. If you’re unsure whether auction, an estate agent or another selling method is the best fit, we’re happy to help.

Request a free, no-obligation auction valuation and we’ll explain whether auction is likely to suit your property, along with the advantages and any potential drawbacks.

Speak to an auction expert

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Frequently Asked Questions

For many standard residential properties, a traditional estate agent may offer the best opportunity to achieve the highest possible sale price, particularly where there is no urgency to sell. However, property auction can also achieve excellent results, especially where competitive bidding drives up the final sale price. The most suitable option depends on your property, local demand and your priorities.

Property auction generally provides greater certainty over timescales, with traditional auctions often completing within around 28 days after the auction. Estate agent sales can take considerably longer due to surveys, mortgage applications and property chains. Cash buying companies may complete more quickly still, although this often comes at the expense of achieving full market value.

No. While auction is often associated with renovation projects, probate properties and homes with legal or structural issues, many standard residential properties are also sold successfully at auction. Auction can appeal to homeowners who value speed, committed buyers and greater certainty, regardless of the property’s condition.

A cash buying company may be suitable if your highest priority is completing as quickly as possible with minimal disruption. However, this convenience is often reflected in the price offered, which may be below full market value. If time allows, it’s often worth comparing this option with both auction and a traditional estate agent.

There is no single answer. The best selling method depends on factors such as your property’s condition, how quickly you need to sell, whether achieving the highest possible price is your priority and any legal or structural issues affecting the property. This guide is designed to help you compare your options and make an informed decision.

Yes. Many properties with issues such as subsidence, flood damage, fire damage, short leases, possessory title or other legal complications can still be sold successfully. Traditional buyers may be more cautious, whereas auction often attracts experienced purchasers who understand these types of properties.

If speed is your priority, both auction and a cash buying company may be suitable options. Auction offers committed buyers, fixed timescales and competitive bidding, while a cash buying company may provide an even quicker sale, although often at a lower price. The right choice depends on whether speed, price or certainty is most important to you.

Yes. If you’re unsure which selling method is likely to be the best fit for your property, request a free, no-obligation auction valuation. We’ll explain how auction compares with other selling methods and help you decide whether it’s the right option for your circumstances.

Why Use Us?

Selling a property at auction can seem unfamiliar if you’ve never done it before. Understanding the process, choosing the right auction method and knowing what to expect at each stage can make all the difference to a successful sale.

With 40+ years of combined experience in estate agency and property auctions, we’ve helped homeowners understand their options and navigate the auction process with confidence. Our guides are written in plain English, explaining every stage clearly without the legal jargon or unnecessary complexity.

We specialise in helping sellers of difficult, unusual and hard-to-sell properties, working with carefully selected traditional auction partners across England and Wales. Whether you’re selling an inherited property, a renovation project, land or a home with legal or structural issues, we’re here to provide honest advice and practical guidance.

20+ years

Estate agency experience

20+ years

Property auction experience

Trusted

UK Auction Partners

Request Your Free Property Selling Consultation

✔ Find out whether auction is the right choice.
✔ Receive an estimated auction value.
✔ No obligation to sell.
✔ Honest, expert advice.

Every property is different. If you’re unsure whether auction is the best option, request a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll explain how auction compares with other selling methods, answer your questions and provide an estimated auction value if appropriate.

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