Sell a Non-Standard Construction Property Fast

No chain, no delays, and completion in as little as 28 days with auction.

Sell your non-standard construction property to serious cash buyers, investors and developers actively looking for these types of homes.

What Is a Non-Standard Construction Property?

A non-standard construction property is a home built using materials or construction methods that fall outside traditional brick-and-block construction.

Many of these properties were built in large numbers after the Second World War to help address housing shortages quickly and affordably. While many remain perfectly habitable today, some construction types are viewed differently by mortgage lenders, insurers and surveyors. As a result, some may be considered hard to finance or, in more limited cases, unmortgageable properties, reducing the pool of potential buyers.

Explore Different Types of Non-Standard Construction Property

Different non-standard construction methods can create different challenges when it comes to mortgage availability, insurance and buyer demand. Learn more about some of the most common non-standard construction property types below.

Concrete Construction / PRC

Discover the most common PRC and concrete-built homes, the issues they can present and how they affect selling.

Timber Framed

Learn about timber-framed homes, mortgage considerations and what buyers need to know before purchasing.

BISF Steel Framed

Find out how BISF steel-framed properties are built and the factors that can influence their marketability.

Airey houses

Understand Airey houses, common construction concerns and how they may impact mortgages and property value.

Cornish Unit properties

Explore Cornish Unit homes, their unique construction and the challenges some buyers and lenders consider.

Wimpey No-Fines construction

Learn about Wimpey No-Fines properties, their solid concrete construction and potential lending considerations.

How Different Construction Types Are Viewed

Construction Type	Mortgage Availability	Common Buyer Concerns
PRC / Concrete Houses	Can be restricted	Structural concerns
Timber Frame	Often mortgageable	Maintenance and condition
BISF Houses	Specialist lenders often available	Resale concerns
Airey Houses	Varies by condition	Structural reports
Cornish Unit Properties	Can be restricted	Mortgage availability
Wimpey No-Fines	Often mortgageable	Survey findings

Mortgage availability varies between lenders and individual properties. Condition, repair history and supporting documentation can all influence how lenders assess a non-standard construction home.

Some non-standard construction homes remain readily mortgageable, while others may be considered higher risk by certain lenders depending on their construction type, condition and repair history. As a result, selling through traditional estate agent routes can sometimes be more challenging than selling a conventional brick-built property.

Why Can Non-Standard Construction Affect a Sale?

What Is Considered Non-Standard Construction?

Non-standard construction refers to homes built using materials or construction methods that differ from traditional brick-and-block construction.

Can You Get a Mortgage on a Non-Standard Construction House?

Many mortgage lenders take a cautious approach to certain non-standard construction types. This can reduce the number of buyers able to obtain finance and limit the pool of potential purchasers.

Does Non-Standard Construction Affect Property Value?

Mortgage restrictions, buyer demand and lender attitudes can all influence how a non-standard construction property is valued and marketed.

Are Non-Standard Construction Houses Harder to Insure?

Some non-standard construction properties can be more expensive to insure or may require specialist insurance providers.

Why Are Non-Standard Construction Homes Difficult to Mortgage?

Many mortgage lenders prefer traditional brick-and-block construction because it is widely understood, straightforward to value and generally considered lower risk from a lending perspective.

Non-standard construction properties can present additional considerations for lenders depending on the construction type, age of the property, repair history and long-term durability. As a result, some lenders may apply restrictions, request specialist surveys or decline applications altogether.

This does not mean a non-standard construction property is unmortgageable. Many homes remain perfectly mortgageable, particularly where the construction type is well understood and the property has been properly maintained.

However, lending options can sometimes be more limited than they would be for a conventional brick-built home. This can reduce the number of buyers able to proceed with mortgage finance and may make selling through traditional estate agent routes more challenging.

Mortgage availability often depends on a combination of factors including:

The type of non-standard construction
The property’s condition and repair history
Structural survey findings
Insurance availability
Individual lender criteria

Because every lender assesses risk differently, two seemingly similar properties can receive very different mortgage decisions. Understanding how lenders view non-standard construction can help sellers better understand buyer demand and the options available when bringing a property to market.

Can You Sell a Non-Standard Construction Property?

Yes — non-standard construction properties can still be sold successfully, although they can sometimes be more difficult to sell through traditional estate agent routes.

The main challenge is often buyer finance. If mortgage lenders take a cautious approach to the construction type, buyers who rely on mortgage approval may struggle to proceed. This can lead to delayed sales, reduced buyer demand or transactions falling through after surveys or lender valuations.

However, non-standard construction does not automatically make a property unsellable. Many buyers are still interested in these homes, particularly where the property is well maintained, correctly priced and supported by clear information about its construction type and condition.

Auction can provide an alternative route to sale by exposing the property to investors, developers, landlords and cash buyers who are already familiar with difficult-to-finance and non-standard construction opportunities.

Who Buys Non-Standard Construction Property?

These properties often attract experienced buyers who understand the market and are comfortable purchasing without relying on traditional mortgage finance.

Typical buyers include:

Property developers. Developers often purchase non-standard construction homes for refurbishment, redevelopment or resale projects.
Landlords. Some landlords actively seek these properties because they can offer strong rental yields and lower purchase prices.
Cash buyers. Cash-funded buyers can move quickly without mortgage approval, helping create a faster and more reliable route to sale.
Investors. Property investors regularly search for opportunities where they can add value through renovation or long-term investment.

Best Way to Sell a Non-Standard Construction Property

For many homeowners, auction is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to sell a non-standard construction property. Unlike traditional sales, auction markets your property directly to buyers already searching for these types of homes.

Why auction can work well:

Buyers are often cash-funded – Many auction buyers are not reliant on mortgage approval.
Reduced risk of fall-throughs – Once contracts are exchanged, the buyer is legally committed.
Faster completion times – Completion typically takes place within around 28 days.
Sell in current condition – There is usually no need to complete repairs before selling.
Wider investor exposure – Auction creates competition among landlords, developers and investors actively searching for opportunities.

Auction can be particularly effective for difficult-to-finance non-standard construction properties where traditional buyers struggle to proceed.

Sell a non-standard construction property through auction, featuring cash buyers, reduced mortgage concerns, and a fast sale process.

Get a clear idea of what your property could sell for — and whether auction is the right option for you.

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Why Use Us?

We help homeowners understand the challenges associated with selling non-standard construction property and explore the options available when traditional sales become more difficult.

Non-standard construction homes can raise a number of questions for homeowners, particularly around mortgage availability, buyer demand, insurance considerations and the potential impact on property value. Understanding these factors can help you make more informed decisions about the most appropriate route to sale.

Backed by more than 20 years of experience in estate agency and property sales, we understand the concerns that often arise when selling properties built using non-traditional construction methods. Working alongside experienced auction professionals and established UK auction partners, we provide practical guidance, trusted information and access to specialist property expertise.

Whether you’re researching mortgage restrictions, considering selling a non-standard construction house or simply looking to understand your options, we’re here to help without any obligation or pressure.

If you decide selling could be the right next step, we can also provide a free, no-obligation auction valuation and explain the options available for your property and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Non-Standard Construction Property

A non-standard construction property is a home built using materials or methods that differ from traditional brick-and-block construction. Examples include PRC houses, BISF properties, timber-framed homes, Airey houses and Cornish Unit properties.

Yes, many non-standard construction properties are mortgageable. However, lending availability can vary depending on the construction type, condition of the property, repair history and individual lender criteria.

In some cases, yes. Mortgage availability, buyer demand and lender attitudes can all influence how a non-standard construction property is valued and marketed compared to a similar traditional property.

Yes. Many non-standard construction properties are sold successfully every year. While some buyers may be cautious, investors, developers, landlords and cash buyers are often familiar with these types of homes.

Some lenders view certain construction types as presenting additional risk due to concerns around durability, maintenance requirements, future resale value or structural performance. As a result, lending criteria can be more restrictive than for conventional homes.

No. Some non-standard construction properties are widely accepted by mortgage lenders, while others may require specialist lenders or additional surveys. Mortgage availability often depends on the specific construction type and the property’s condition.

Auction can be an effective option where mortgage restrictions reduce the number of traditional buyers. It provides access to investors, developers and cash buyers who are often more familiar with non-standard construction opportunities and can proceed without relying on mainstream mortgage finance.

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