Finding the Right Buyer

The highest offer isn't always the best one. The right buyer gets you moving.

When you list your home, you're not just waiting for a buyer. You're looking for the right one. Someone who loves your place, has their finances sorted, and won't disappear halfway through.

It's easy to assume the best buyer offers the most money. But it's rarely that simple. Sometimes the person waving the biggest number comes with weeks of delays, endless questions, and a chain longer than your local takeaway menu.

Key takeaways

• Work out what matters most to you (speed, price, certainty)
• Serious buyers respond quickly, ask the right questions, and follow up
• Cash buyers are great but always ask for proof of funds
• Mortgage buyers with a mortgage in principle are ready to proceed
• Ask about chains, timelines, and whether they have a solicitor lined up
• The better buyer depends on your priorities, not just the highest offer

Start with what you need

Are you in a rush to move? Need time to find your next place? Hoping for a quick cash sale?

Work out what matters most to you. It makes the next bit easier.

Serious buyers act like it

A good buyer doesn't waste time. They ask the right questions, respond quickly, turn up to viewings, and follow up afterwards. That's a good sign.

If someone's vague, flaky, or overly pushy before they've even seen the place, it rarely improves later.

Cash buyers are great, but not magic

Everyone loves a cash buyer. No mortgage, no bank delays.

But not every cash buyer is a sure thing. Always ask for proof of funds and don't skip the normal checks just because it's "cash." You still want the process to be secure, and you still want a buyer who's actually ready.

Mortgage buyers are normal

Don't write someone off just because they're using a mortgage. Most buyers do.

Ask if they have a mortgage in principle. This means a lender has already indicated they're willing to lend. It shows they've done the homework and aren't just browsing.

Ask the right questions after viewings

Once someone's viewed and shown interest, ask a few key things:

• are they part of a chain?
• how soon are they hoping to move?
• have they made an offer elsewhere?
• do they have a solicitor lined up?

Important

We never recommend selling without a solicitor due to the complexities of conveyancing and the significant risks involved.

When offers come in, look beyond the number

Someone offers £10,000 more but needs to sell their flat first. Another offers less but they're chain-free and ready to go.

The better buyer depends on your priorities.