Selling Route Comparison

Compare cash buyer, auction, modern method of auction and estate agent side by side — see estimated net proceeds based on your situation.

Your property details

£
Fastest
💷

Cash Buyer

Expected price

7787% of value

Net proceeds

Enter value above

Timeline7–28 days
FeesNo fees
CertaintyVery high
Chain riskNone
🔨

Traditional Auction

Expected price

8095% of value

Net proceeds

Enter value above

Timeline6–8 weeks
FeesAuctioneer ~2% + legal ~£1,500
CertaintyHigh
Chain riskNone
🏷️

Modern Method of Auction

Expected price

8595% of value

Net proceeds

Enter value above

Timeline8–12 weeks
FeesLegal ~£1,500 (buyer pays reservation)
CertaintyModerate
Chain riskLow
🏡

Estate Agent

Expected price

97102% of value

Net proceeds

Enter value above

Timeline12–24 weeks
FeesAgent ~1–3% + legal ~£1,500
CertaintyLow
Chain riskHigh

Sell your property

Need to sell quickly without the hassle?

SellTo helps UK homeowners sell any property quickly — cash purchase or auction, no fees to you, and a straightforward process. Get a free, no-obligation offer.

Get a free cash offer →

We may earn a commission if you use this service. Affiliate disclosure

Disclaimer: These estimates are based on typical UK market outcomes as of April 2026. Actual results vary significantly by location, property type, condition, and prevailing market conditions. This tool does not constitute a property valuation, a guaranteed offer, or financial advice. Always obtain independent valuations and professional advice before agreeing to any sale.

Which selling route is right for you?

Cash buyer

Best for urgent sales, unmortgageable properties, or situations where certainty matters more than achieving maximum price. No chain, no mortgage surveys, and completion often in under four weeks. The discount (typically 15–25%) is the cost of that speed and certainty.

Traditional auction

Excellent for unusual, distressed, or development properties. Contracts exchange on the fall of the hammer, so completion is legally binding within 28 days. You lose if bidding is weak, but competitive auctions can exceed guide price.

Modern Method of Auction (MMoA)

A hybrid between auction and estate agency. Buyers pay a non-refundable reservation fee, which reduces fall-through risk. You get near-market prices with better certainty than a traditional sale, though the process takes 8–12 weeks.

Estate agent

Maximises proceeds for good-condition properties with no time pressure. But chain collapses, renegotiations, and slow mortgage processes mean sales often take 5–6 months — and 25–30% of agreed sales fall through entirely.