We Buy Any Home Review - Are they any good?

We Buy Any Home is a cash home buying company that operates in the UK. They claim to have a combined 300 years of experience in buying homes and facilitating a quick house sale. As founding members of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), and members of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) the company sets a number of high expectations.

They offer a hassle-free process to sell your property quickly and easily, without the need for traditional estate agent services, home inspections, or showings.

But how good are We Buy Any Home, and how do they compare to traditional estate agents?

Who are We Buy Any Home, a cash home buying company?

We Buy Any Home states it is the UK’s leading cash buying company, and one of the only ‘genuine’ cash buying companies around that can help you sell your house fast. It is known for providing a reliable and trustworthy service.

As a cash house buyer, they guarantee to buy any home regardless of size, shape or location for a price below market value. Valuation and legal fees are all paid for by the company.

These transactions can be concluded in apparently ‘as little as seven days’.

How do We Buy Any Home work?

We Buy Any Home outlines its entire process, including property valuation, in a 10-step guide on their website:

1. Complete the enquiry form online

Users can either fill out their online enquiry form or call their direct line for an introduction.

2. A representative will call you to discuss your details

If you fill out their online valuation form, a representative will get in touch. If you ring them directly, they’ll confirm some details about your property, including its size, condition and location during the initial consultation.

3. Receive a cash offer from us over the phone

Within 24 hours of confirming your details with We Buy Any Home, you will receive a preliminary free cash offer for your property.

4. Decide if you would like to proceed

Apparently there are 'no timescales involved' - you can decide when you want to go forward with the transaction to ensure a quick process.

5. You complete and return our simple paperwork

You must return paperwork confirming your intent to sell with We Buy Any Home.

6. We instruct solicitors – free of charge

We Buy Any Home instructs two conveyancing solicitors to handle both ends of the transaction. You don’t have to pay any of their legal fees.

7. We instruct two (max) qualified surveyors/valuers to assess your property FOC

Two qualified surveyors are instructed to assess your property, fees paid for by We Buy Any Home.

8. Following the valuation report and legal check, a final price is offered

The final offer made at the beginning of the property sale is subject to change after We Buy Any Home receives the results of the surveyor’s valuation report and legal checks.

9. You confirm on a completion date that is suitable for you

We Buy Any Home promises to complete the sale in ‘any time you need them to’.

10. Sale completes and you receive the funds

In 'as quick as seven' days, your sale completes and the funds are transferred to your account, courtesy of We Buy Any Home’s instructed conveyancer.

How long does it take We Buy Any Home to buy my house?

We Buy Any Home states that they can purchase your home, with money transferred to your account, in as little as seven days. However, you can typically expect the process to take at least 14 - 21 days. The cash buying company maintains that they are able to adjust the sale according to your timescale.

Are We Buy Any Home really free?

We Buy Any Home promises not to charge any hidden fees for valuations, surveys or legal proceedings. However, they do require a deposit (est. £500) to ensure the property is left in a good, clean condition before you vacate it, but this is returned within two weeks of completion.

While We Buy Any Home’s services are free, there are some costs associated with selling with a home buying company that you may not have considered.

Profit

You're missing out on making more money from your sale if you choose to sell with a cash house buyer like We Buy Any Home. For the benefit of a quick turnaround, cash house buying companies pay only 70-85% of your property's total value. In other words, selling with a cash buyer does cost you money - potential money you could have made.

Buying another house

If you're selling your main residence, you'll need to purchase a new home. These costs can be extensive, and they are made all the more expensive by selling with a cash buying company.

You'll nearly always receive more for your home by selling with a good estate agent, and as a result, have much more autonomy in choosing and purchasing your next home.

Removals

If your house contains a large number of possessions and belongings, you'll need to rent a removal van to transfer everything to a safe place. This can cost anywhere from £900 to £1700 or even higher depending on the load.

Storage

If you aren’t ready to move your belongings to your new property, you'll need to store them in a storage facility. Storage fees vary depending on the size of the container you need, and how long you need it for. They can cost hundreds to thousands of pounds.

How much do We Buy Any Home pay?

We Buy Any Home doesn’t outrightly say how much they pay homesellers - each transaction depends on the fair market value of the property involved. However, they once outlined what they considered a fair and unreasonable offers in a now deleted article on their website at https://www.webuyanyhome.com/sell-house-fast/buyers-advice:

“You should realistically expect a property buying company to offer no more than 85% of the full market value for a quick sale. On the other hand, any offer lower than 70% of the full market value is probably unfair.”

Can you negotiate with We Buy Any Home?

It’s unclear whether you can negotiate with We Buy Any Home, but it’s unusual to have much negotiation power with a cash buying company.

The benefits of a ‘no-chain’ sale, and cash in your hands within a matter of weeks, are the main attractions of these businesses. Profit-loss is the principal downside.

If you want more money and negotiating power, sell with a reliable estate agent. The sale takes longer than with a cash buying company, but you usually reap greater returns.

Do I need my own solicitor with We Buy Any Home?

We Buy Any Home states you don’t need your own solicitor because they provide you with one, but seeking independent legal advice is always recommended.

However, the reliability of We Buy Any Home’s solicitors is questioned in some of the reviews left on Google and Trustpilot.

As these are anecdotal accounts, their objectivity is unclear. However, it’s worth being on your toes whenever a cash buying company (no matter how reputable) offers you a solicitor.

You may have to stay on their case to get the sale completed within a specific timeframe.

How long have We Buy Any Home been trading?

It's hard to say. On its website, under its Privacy section, We Buy Any Home is stated to be the trading name of Kazai Capital Ltd.

On Companies House, Kazai Capital Ltd was first incorporated in 2013.

Also on Companies House, the company 'We Buy Any Home' was first incorporated in 2012, and then dissolved in 2014.

We Buy Any Home reviews

We Buy Any Home has a 4.4 review rating on Trustpilot, with many customer reviews highlighting the benefits of a speedy sale at the sacrifice of thousands of pounds.

Negative reviews on the other hand, describe offers made at 65% of the property’s market value, as well as long delays.

Are We Buy Any Home any good?

As a reputable company, We Buy Any Home offers a greater level of legitimacy than many of its competitors. They are founding members of the NAPB, and members of The Property Ombudsman.

This means they are willing to hold themselves accountable for good business practices. Naturally, this makes them a more trustworthy alternative to other companies.

If you’re willing to sacrifice up to 40% of your property’s market value for a quick sale, We Buy Any Home is a great choice.

However, property is one of the most valuable forms of investment in modern day Britain. By selling with a traditional agent, you stand to make good returns on your property sale - so long as you’re patient, and are prepared to put some time and effort into your sale.

We Buy Any Home says you shouldn’t use an estate agent

On their website, We Buy Any Home offers a comparison between their services and the sale process with a traditional estate agent and online property portals…

Why We Buy Any Home is wrong

Cash-buying companies, like We Buy Any Home, operate by purchasing properties for less than their market value and then selling them at a higher price to generate profit. While the speed and convenience of their service might seem attractive, it's important to consider the financial implications.

Potential for higher sale value

When you receive an offer from a cash-buying company, it's likely that your property is worth more than their offer. This discrepancy indicates that you could potentially secure a higher sale value through other selling methods, preserving more of your home's equity.

The value of high street estate agents

High street estate agents, in contrast, have a vested interest in selling your home for the highest possible price. They earn a commission based on the sale price, which directly aligns their goals with yours.

Their deep knowledge of the local market, coupled with their marketing and sales expertise, make them invaluable for achieving a successful and impactful sale.

Although the traditional route of selling with an estate agent may take longer - potentially up to six months or more - the benefits often outweigh the time investment.

Most homeowners find that the potential for a higher sale price and the professional support provided by estate agents justify the longer process. By choosing this method, you ensure that you don't miss out on the equity you've diligently built in your home.

The risk of quick sales

Selling your home quickly through cash-buying companies often involves accepting a lower offer than what you might achieve on the open market. This trade-off can be significant, especially for those who have invested heavily in their properties over the years.

You shouldn’t lose a portion of your home's value for the sake of a quick sale unless you have a legitimate reason.

Online estate agents

Selling through online estate agents is another option that can save on estate agent fees. However, this method requires significant personal involvement and comes with its own set of costs, such as listing fees, professional photography, and marketing expenses.

Additionally, managing visits and negotiations can be time-consuming and demanding, which might make this approach less appealing compared to using a traditional estate agent.

Maximise your potential

To give your property the best chance on the open market, selecting a reliable and competent estate agent is crucial. Our free Estate Agent Comparison Service uses data from the Land Registry and property portals to identify the top-performing agents in your area.

You’ll be equipped with the best professionals to handle your sale and you'll sell at least three weeks faster than the national average.

Summary: Is it worth using We Buy Any Home?

Pros

• They’re a guaranteed cash buyer with immediate funds available for a quick sale
• They’re members of the NAPB and TPO
• They apparently have good reviews on Google and Trustpilot
• You might sell much faster than with an agent

Cons

• You won’t sell your home for any more than 85% of its market value
• Your property sale might not be as fast as outlined
• If you’re buying another home, your options will be limited
• You are using solicitors of their choice
• Cleaning deposit required

Alternatives to We Buy Any Home

Looking for another NAPB member? Check out our review of Goodmove.

Alternatively, try our Estate Agent Comparison Service. It uses Land Registry data to make recommendations on the best estate agents in your local area, ranking them by speed, percentage of asking price achieved, and number of listings in your area.