Ready Steady Sell, co-owned by Lisa Hayes, has published a comprehensive study of the UK property market, focusing on the growth and risks of cash house-buying. As the market changes amidst economic uncertainty, the report shows how cash purchases have become a key part of the national housing landscape.
Trends: Cash Purchases Now 1 in 3 Sales
- The report, using ONS and Land Registry data, reveals that 32–33% of all UK property transactions in 2024–2025 were cash sales, and cash is now a major part of the market.
- Regional examples:
- Solihull (West Midlands) 35.8% cash sales in 2023
- Inverclyde (Scotland) 50%+ cash buying, mainly in properties below the national average.
Cash Discounts and Price Sensitivity
- Cash purchases close at an average 9% discount, that’s £28,000 less than a mortgage buyer would pay – showing the power of speed and liquidity.
- Discounts vary by region, North West England 13.4%, Scotland 12.8%, North East 12.4%. London is the opposite, cash buyers sometimes pay more due to foreign investors in the high end.
Market Forces Drive Cash Sales – But May Limit Growth
- UK house prices rose 3.3% in 2024, 2025 forecast 1–2% growth as demand slows and supply increases in the south.
- Mortgages approvals are down 22%, over 300,000 property sales fell through in 2023, so sellers are turning to quicker, more certain cash sales.
- Despite strong recent activity, analysts at Ready Steady Sell expect cash buyers’ market share to drop from recent highs (>40%) back to the long term average of ~35% as mortgage buyers re-enter due to improving affordability.
Key Points from Lisa Hayes, Co-Owner of Ready Steady Sell
“Our findings show cash house buyers are no longer a niche – they are a force to be reckoned with in the UK housing market. Sellers are opting for certainty and speed over marginal price gain, especially when traditional sales stall due to chain breakdowns or financing delays.”
Report highlights:
- Cash sales complete in less than 2 weeks, compared to multi-week delays with mortgage dependent chains.
- Sellers value certainty of completion, reduced risk of fall-throughs or last minute price reductions (“gazundering”).
- Mortgage buyers face more scrutiny, affordability tests and uncertain decision windows – higher failure rates.
The Cash House Buying Company Effect
Lisa of Ready Steady Sell went on to tell us that cash house buying companies have gone from being a niche service to a mainstream force in the UK housing market in 2025. New research shows they now complete around 32-33% of all residential property transactions, giving homeowners a quick, chain-free way to sell in 7-21 days. This has been driven by a 22% drop in traditional mortgage approvals and 300,000+ sales collapse last year, so many are trading a small discount for certainty and speed.
These cash buyers typically buy properties for around £28,000, or 9.3% below mortgage-based offers. Regional variations are huge: sellers in the North West and Scotland may face discounts of 13-13.4%, while London often favours cash buyers – sometimes offering premiums – due to international investors and high-end market. This geographical disparity shows how cash buyers have more pricing power in lower-value or mid-market segments.
Despite a small recovery in traditional buyer activity – new mortgage affordability rules have increased borrowing by up to 20% and mortgage approvals rose again in mid-2025 – cash-based purchases remain dominant. The withdrawal of mortgage-dependent buyers has left cash buyers as a stable, resilient presence in a market otherwise beset by affordability issues, property chain collapses and economic.
House buying companies themselves are affected by these broader trends. They benefit from the opportunities created by sellers who need a quick exit, especially in probate, inheritance or relocation situations. They can close quickly – often without property repairs and legal fees – and that’s still attractive to vendors despite the lower offer.
But they also face pressure: competitive offers have got tighter as more companies enter the market and some areas are becoming saturated. Many now offer hybrid models, buying direct cash and listing on the open market through estate agents to get a higher sale price while still having speed and liquidity options.