Sell Your House For Free: A Complete Guide to No-Fee Property Sales

Estate agents charged UK sellers £3.6 billion in fees last year.

You don’t need to pay these fees.

I’ve helped thousands sell their homes for free. Many companies claim “free” but hide their costs.

In this guide, I’ll show you what’s really free.

You’ll learn which services actually cost nothing.

As someone who has bought and sold over a thousand properties since 2015, I share facts. Don’t waste money on unnecessary fees.

Let me show you how to save thousands.

Understanding Free House Sale Services in the UK

I’ve seen many sellers misunderstand free sale services. Let me share what I’ve learned since 2015.

Most ‘free’ services still make money somehow. I always explain how they actually work.

Through my experience, these companies use different approaches:

• Buying below market value
• Adding fees elsewhere
• Selling your details to others
• Getting commission from partners

I’ve found that understanding the real costs matters. Nothing is truly free in property.

When using free services, you usually trade price for speed. I see this pattern regularly, and it’s exactly what we do here at Property Buyers Today.

Here is an example of the fees you may save on a £300k house sale example:

	Traditional Agent	No-Fee Service	Potential Savings
Commission Fee	1.5% – 3% (£4,500 – £9,000 on £300k house)	£0	Up to £9,000
Marketing Package	£300 – £500	£0	Up to £500
Professional Photos	£200 – £400	£0	Up to £400
For Sale Board	£50 – £100	£0	Up to £100
Premium Listings	£150 – £300	£0	Up to £300
Total	£5,200 – £10,300	£0	Up to £10,300

But just note that the price you’d get from an estate agent would be more than what a free house sale service would offer. 

We usually sell houses we buy on. So the reason we need to take it at a lower price is because we don’t want to be stuck with it for ages. That means selling it at a discount too.

Once all the fees are accounted for (plus legal costs, ongoing mortgages, bills and maintenance etc.) the lower up front price ends up being quite similar. 

Check out our homepage to get an idea of the total amount in your bank account.

Free Property Valuation: Getting Started

• Online vs in-person valuations
• How accurate are free valuations?
• Local market considerations
• What affects your property’s value

Online tools give rough estimates only. I’ve seen them miss crucial details about properties.

Through my experience, these factors affect value most:

• Recent local sale prices
• Your property’s condition
• Local transport links
• School catchment areas

I always recommend professional in-person valuations. They spot things online tools miss.

Beyond The Basics

Local knowledge makes a big difference. I check these details carefully:

• Planning applications nearby
• New transport developments
• Local crime statistics
• Flood risk areas

Based on my expertise, free online valuations can mislead. They often miss important factors.

Remember to get multiple opinions. I suggest three third-party valuations minimum. This is exactly what we do if you work with us. 

These help you understand your true price range. I’ve found this prevents costly mistakes.

Professional valuations cost money (we can provide this for you). But I’ve seen them save thousands in pricing errors. Usually, people price their own property too high, so it’s really helpful to get up-to-date advice from someone locally. 

Choose experts who know your area. I find local knowledge beats generic online tools.

The Complete Free House Selling Process

I’ve personally bought hundreds through cost-free sales since 2015. Let me share what works best.

Your journey starts with honest property assessment. Our team checks every detail before making offers.

In my experience, good preparation speeds things up. I focus on these key steps:

• Doing extensive research into the area and local sales
• Checking your legal position
• Understanding your timeline
• Speaking with local agents and or auction house operator

I always explain each stage clearly. Good communication prevents costly delays.

Moving To Completion

Once the initial offer is accepted, we get the third-party valuations. If all comes back as normal we put you in touch with your own solicitor (who specialises in quick sales) and get the ball rolling. 

Based on my expertise, these documents matter most:

• Property title deeds
• Energy performance certificate
• Building regulations paperwork
• Recent utility bills

Success needs careful planning. I’ve seen this process work smoothly when organised.

You’ll need these ready for lawyers:

• Property information forms
• Mortgage details
• Building warranties
• Land registry documents

Remember to keep paying bills until completion. I’ve prevented many problems by checking this.

Most free sales complete within weeks (we’ve done it in as little as 6 days before). We make this happen through careful management.

But always choose a service that matches your needs. I help sellers understand their best options, and never force anything upon you that isn’t right for you. 

What’s Actually Included in a Free House Sale?

I’ve seen many property sellers fall for misleading “free” sale offers. Let me share what I’ve learned from my experience.

Most free house sales aren’t actually free at all. I always tell my clients to read the small print carefully. These companies often hide their real fees.

Your basic package might include:

• A basic property listing on their website
• Simple photos taken with a phone camera
• A few viewings during office hours
• Standard legal paperwork handling

I’ve noticed many sellers get caught out by the extras. You’ll often need to pay more for:

• Professional photos that make your home look its best
• Premium listing spots on major property websites
• Evening and weekend viewings
• Detailed legal support and conveyancing

Be careful with companies promising everything for free. I’ve helped many sellers who faced unexpected charges later. Some had to pay thousands in hidden fees.

What Should You Watch For?

I recommend asking these specific questions:

• What’s the exact total cost?
• Are there fees if my house doesn’t sell?
• Do I need to pay for professional photos?
• Will I get dedicated support throughout the sale?

Trust your instincts. If an offer seems too good, it probably is. I’ve found honest agents are clear about their fees upfront.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Legal fees often shock my clients the most. I’ve seen conveyancing bills reach £3,000. Some agents include basic legal work. Most don’t.

Here’s what typically costs extra:

• Energy Performance Certificate (£60-120)
• Professional photos (£100-300)
• Featured listings on Rightmove (£100-200)
• Premium marketing packages (£300-500)
• Early contract cancellation (up to £1,500)

I always warn sellers about withdrawal fees. I’ve seen people lose thousands. Some agents charge if you change your mind.

Compare This With Traditional Agents

Traditional agents charge around 1-3% of your sale price. I’ll break that down:

• £300,000 house = £3,000-9,000 fee
• £500,000 house = £5,000-15,000 fee
• £700,000 house = £7,000-21,000 fee

Watch for the “tie-in” period. I recommend checking how long you’re locked in. Some contracts last 16 weeks or more.

I tell my clients to get everything in writing. Don’t trust verbal promises. 

Read contracts carefully before signing anything.

Remember: cheap services often cost more later. I’ve seen budget options lead to longer sale times.

Making the Right Choice for Your Property Sale

I’ve guided many sellers through this decision. Free services work best in specific situations.

Your property might suit a free service if:

• You’re not in a rush to sell
• Your house is in a popular area
• You can handle viewings yourself
• You understand the legal process

I’ve found these services rarely work for unique properties. My experience shows traditional agents or cash buyers sell unusual homes better.

Getting the Best Price

I always share these proven tips:

Clear clutter before any photos. I’ve seen this add thousands. A tidy home attracts better offers.

I recommend being flexible with viewings as more viewings mean more offers. Better offers mean more money.

Don’t skip professional photos. 

I’ve watched great pictures bring faster sales. They attract serious buyers.

Consider these alternatives:

• Traditional estate agents
• Online agents with fixed fees
• Property cash buying companies (like us)
• Auction houses

You can see a comparison table for these options in our article on how to sell your house fast. 

I tell sellers to match their needs to their choice. Some need speed. Others want the highest price.

Remember: the cheapest option isn’t always best. I’ve seen rushed sales lose thousands. Take time to choose wisely.

Why Choose Property Buyers Today To Sell Your House For Free

If you’re looking to sell your house for free without any fees, then we may be the best solution for you. 

I’ll be up front and tell you that you won’t receive the full market value of your home. 

But after the additional fees going down any other route you may still end up with a similar amount in the bank. And here are some of the benefits of working with us: