Selling process
Agent, Auction or Quick Sale: Which Should I Choose?
Choose an estate agent for the highest price when you have time; an auction for a binding, fixed-date sale on unusual or tenanted homes; and a quick cash sale for maximum speed and certainty (7–28 days, no fees) when a deadline or difficult property rules. The right route comes down to whether price or certainty and speed matters most for your situation.
What is your property worth?
Get genuine offers from checked & vetted buyers.
- Prepareto avoid delays
- Exchangethe binding point
- 7-28 dayscash, no chain
At a glance
Estate agent: highest price, slowest (16–24 weeks), commission, chain risk. Auction: binding at the hammer, ~28-day completion, fees, price not guaranteed. Quick cash sale: fastest (7–28 days), no fees, 75–85% of value, highest certainty.
How to decide
If you can wait and the home is mortgageable and standard, the open market usually nets most. If it’s unusual, tenanted or you need a fixed date, auction suits. If speed/certainty rule, a cash sale wins. See compare your options.
| What matters | Estate Agent | Auction | Cash Buyer | Ready Steady Sell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to complete | 16–24 weeks | 6–10 weeks | 2–6 weeks | 7–28 days |
| % of market value | 95–100% | 75–90% | 75–85% | Best of several offers |
| Fees to you | 1–3% + VAT | 2.5%+ buyer premium | £0 | £0 |
| Certainty of sale | Chain risk | Medium | High (if funded) | Highest — we vet funding |
| Any condition | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Typical UK ranges, illustrative only.
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
Should I use an estate agent, auction or quick sale?
Agent for the highest price with time to spare; auction for a binding, fixed-date sale on unusual/tenanted homes; quick cash sale for maximum speed and certainty (7–28 days, no fees).
Which is fastest — agent, auction or cash sale?
A quick cash sale (7–28 days). Auction completes ~28 days after the hammer plus prep; estate-agent sales take 16–24 weeks.