Preston’s cash house buyers make big promises they rarely keep.
We’ve seen the aftermath countless times. Disappointed homeowners left scrambling after buyers pull out at the eleventh hour.
After managing hundreds of property transactions across Lancashire, we can spot unreliable cash buyers from miles away. The warning signs are always there.
Most sellers just don’t know what to look for.
That’s why we built our own cash buying service at Property Buyers Today. No games. No last-minute surprises. Just genuine offers for Preston properties.
In this guide, we’ll reveal Preston’s cash buying reality. You’ll discover how to identify trustworthy buyers, negotiate better terms, and complete your sale without the stress.
Your Preston property deserves a buyer who actually follows through.
- Three Simple Ways to Sell Your Preston House for Cash
- The Property Buyers Today Process Explained
- Why Preston House Owners Select Cash Buyers
- Current Preston Housing Market
- Why Preston Families Need Cash House Sales
- Benefits of Using Property Buyers Today in Preston
- How We Address Preston's Unique Housing Challenges
- Case Studies & Testimonials
- Preston Areas We Cover
- Cash House Buyers in Preston – Quick Answers
Three Simple Ways to Sell Your Preston House for Cash
Property Buyers Today
We will buy your Preston house immediately with our available cash.
Pros:
- House sold in just 7 days (much faster than traditional selling)
- No house viewings needed and no estate agent fees (saves £1,500-£5,200 on a £167k Preston house)
- Guaranteed sale with no chains (no waiting for other people’s transactions)
- We buy houses in any condition (Victorian terraces requiring work or ex-council properties)
- You pay zero fees
Cons:
- You get below market value (on a £167k Preston house, you’d typically receive up to £142k- however, there are no deductions)
Cash Auctions
Your Preston house gets sold at auction houses like Allsop or Edward Mellor, where people bid cash to purchase it.
Pros:
- Fast completion (usually finished within 28 days after auction)
- Multiple bidders could drive the price higher
- Once the hammer falls, the sale is legally binding
- Popular with Lancashire property investors who have cash available
Cons:
- You must accept the highest bid, even if it’s disappointing
- No guarantee your house will sell (if bids don’t meet your reserve price)
- You pay auction fees (approximately 2-3% plus VAT – so on a £167k Preston house, that’s £4,008-£6,012 in fees)
- Buyers typically expect big discounts because they understand Lancashire property values
- You cannot control the final selling price
Finding Private Cash Buyers
You market your Preston house to individuals who have cash ready, including property developers and local investors.
Pros:
- You could get a higher price (important for maximizing value in Preston)
- You have more control over who purchases your property
- No delays waiting for mortgage approvals
- Increasing number of cash buyers in Lancashire
Cons:
- Buyers sometimes withdraw (especially investors from outside the area)
- Takes time to locate genuine cash buyers in Preston’s market
- You still need estate agents (who charge £1,500-£5,200 on a £167k Preston house)
- No guarantee of a quick sale
- You still need to do viewings (can be challenging with older terraced properties)
Other selling methods are available. The main pros and cons are summarized in the table below…
| Sale Method | Timeframe | Price Range | Fees | Hands-on Level | Additional Notes |
| Cash House Buyers | 7-28 days | 75-85% | None + legal fees covered | Minimal | Quickest most certain sale route |
| Traditional Auctions | 3-4 months | 75-90% | 2-3% + entry fee + legal fees | Medium | Exchange on auction day, in a physical auction house |
| Modern Method of Auction | 3-5 months | 75-90% | 2-3% + entry fee + legal fees | Medium | Online bidding, more flexible completion |
| Online Estate Agents | 4-7 months | 85-100% | Fixed fee i.e. £500-£1000 + legal fees | Very High | Self-manage viewings & marketing |
| Traditional Estate Agents | 6-9 months | 90-100% | 1-3% + VAT + legal fees | High | Regular viewings, negotiations |
| Assisted Sale (with or without cash advance) | ~12 months | 100% + | Mortgage payments deducted + renovation costs | Low | Can have partial upfront payment, buyer handles all refurb costs |
The Property Buyers Today Process Explained
1. Fill in a form
Fill in your details on any form on this page to get started.
2. Receive cash offer
Within 24 hours, you will receive a cash offer on your property.
3. Agree sale
Once the sale is agreed, we’ll take care of the rest, including all fees.
- Call our team or complete our online form
- We’ll gather key information about your London property
- Our specialists analyse recent sales data in your specific London borough
- We calculate a preliminary valuation based on location, property type, and condition
This entire process is designed to be efficient and non-intrusive, typically completed within 24 hours.
- We present you with a clear, no-obligation cash offer
- We walk you through how we calculated the offer amount
- Take time to consider our offer with no sales tactics
- Receive the full offer details in writing
- Discuss special requirements or circumstances
- We appoint experienced property solicitors
- Property Buyers Today covers your legal costs
- We handle all required paperwork
- Our team manages searches and title checks
- Regular reports on the legal process
- Swift handling of any legal questions
- All documentation prepared for your chosen completion date
- Choose when you want to complete (as quick as 7 days)
- We handle all final legal verifications
- The full agreed amount is transferred to your account on completion day
- Receive payment confirmation within hours
- Simple and straightforward property transfer
- Stay in the property for agreed periods if needed
Why Preston House Owners Select Cash Buyers
Selling houses in Preston has particular challenges that don’t occur elsewhere. We resolve these Preston challenges rapidly.
County Town Heritage Issues
Many Preston houses date from when it was Lancashire’s county town, with traditional building methods. Banks sometimes refuse buyers at the final moment because they’re concerned about period construction techniques or historical building features. This wastes precious months.
As cash buyers, we purchase properties with our own money, eliminating bank problems. Your sale completes even if the house has county town features, requires renovation, or has period construction.
University City Dynamics
Preston has a large student population from the University of Central Lancashire, which affects the local housing market. Some areas have high student numbers while others are family-focused. This creates different buyer demand across the city.
We understand Preston’s student areas and family areas equally well. Whether your house is in a student zone or a family neighborhood, we buy at fair prices based on local knowledge.
Transport Hub Benefits
Preston is a major railway hub with excellent connections to London, Scotland, and across the North West. Many residents use these links for work, but transport improvements can also change local property values quickly.
When you sell to property buyers who offer cash, you don’t need to worry about transport changes affecting your sale. We understand how transport links add value to Preston properties.
We Know All Preston Areas
We buy houses throughout Preston and its surrounding areas. From city center flats to family homes in Fulwood. Different areas have different characteristics, which can complicate traditional sales.
We understand what makes each Preston area unique and what issues might arise. This ensures faster sales with fewer problems.
Current Preston Housing Market
The Preston housing market shows various opportunities for sellers:
Solid Growth: House prices increased 7.4% over the past year, reaching £167,000 average – demonstrating good growth and market confidence
Affordable Housing: Preston’s average house price of £167,000 remains £210,216 below the £377,216 England average house price
Sales Volume: 3,234 property sales occurred in Preston during the year ending March 2023, representing a 456% increase compared to the previous year
Marketing Time: Preston houses typically take 14 weeks (98 days) to sell through conventional estate agents
Rental Market: Strong rental demand due to the university presence, making the area attractive to property investors
Why Preston Families Need Cash House Sales
Preston families need to sell their houses for cash for various reasons:
- Moving for new jobs (such as London, Manchester or other UK cities) – cash buyers help families move quickly
- Cannot afford their mortgage payments due to rising costs affecting many Preston households
- Stuck because other people’s sales fell through (happens frequently in active markets like Preston)
- Inherited a family house (often Victorian terraces or county town properties)
- Parents separating and need to sell (to divide assets)
- Tenants causing problems or not paying (a big issue across Lancashire)
- Older people selling to fund their retirement
- Moving to smaller homes because of health issues (maybe from a family house to ground-floor flat)
- Houses that banks won’t lend money for (like ex-council houses with defects, period houses with structural issues, or houses needing major repairs)
- Need money urgently for financial emergencies
- Houses damaged by floods or storms (an occasional issue in some Preston areas near rivers)
- Plants in gardens causing foundation problems (like Japanese knotweed in older Preston neighborhoods)
Benefits of Using Property Buyers Today in Preston
Speed
Most house sales take months, but we can buy your property in as little as 7 days.
This quick process is perfect if you need to move soon or want to avoid being stuck in a long chain of buyers and sellers. We have the cash on hand so don’t need to wait for mortgages or a chain to collapse.
Guaranteed Sale
Did you know 1 in 3 sales fall through on the open market?
We know how frustrating it is to get 6 months into a process and have a buyer pull out.
When we give you the final price for your house, that’s the amount you’ll get. Guaranteed!
No Costs
You won’t face any costs with us.
We handle all the expenses involved in buying your property, including legal fees and surveys. You get cash in your bank when the sale is complete, and there are no surprise estate agent commissions to worry about.
No Stress Or Hassle
Our team supports you through the whole selling process.
We keep you updated about what’s happening and answer any questions quickly. You’ll always understand what’s going on with your sale and what happens next.
Free Property Valuation
Our property experts will value your house at no cost to you.
They look carefully at your property and check local market prices to give you an accurate figure. This professional service comes with no obligations.
No Viewings Required
Forget about cleaning and tidying for viewings.
We don’t need multiple visits or open houses to make our offer. This means no strangers walking through your home, and no disruption to your daily life.
All Properties Welcome
Whether your house needs work or is in perfect condition, we’ll buy it.
We have experience with all types of properties and conditions. This means you can sell your house to us no matter what state it’s in.
Professional Legal Service
Our expert team manages all the legal requirements for you.
We work with experienced property lawyers who make sure everything runs smoothly, and put your property at the top of their list. This gives you peace of mind that your sale is being handled properly from start to finish.
How We Address Preston’s Unique Housing Challenges
Preston’s housing market has particular challenges that our service resolves:
- County Town Buildings: Preston has many buildings from its time as Lancashire’s county town. Banks don’t always understand these period buildings – we do, and we buy them.
- Student Housing Areas: Some areas have lots of student houses, which can affect local markets. Traditional family buyers might avoid these areas – we buy in all locations.
- University Influence: The large student population creates seasonal market changes. Some buyers find this confusing – we understand university area dynamics.
- Transport Changes: New railway improvements and road developments constantly evolve. Buyers may be uncertain about the future impact – we understand transport benefits.
- Mixed Architecture: From Georgian town houses to modern developments, Preston has very varied housing. Different buyers want different styles – we buy all property types.
- Main Road Locations: The A6 and other busy roads create noise for some properties. This can deter buyers – we don’t mind about road noise.
- City vs Suburban: Preston city center is very different from suburban areas like Fulwood. Buyers often have strong preferences – we buy everywhere.
- Football Culture: Preston North End has strong local support and history. Some buyers from other areas might not understand local pride – we appreciate community heritage.
Case Studies & Testimonials
Inheritance Sale in Ashton-on-Ribble
Background: Emma inherited her grandmother’s 3-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Ashton. Living in Edinburgh made it hard to manage the property, especially since it needed significant updating and had original features requiring specialist maintenance.
Challenges:
- Empty house getting worse over time
- Growing council tax and utility bills
- Worries about security for an empty home
- Estate agent couldn’t find a buyer after 6 months
- Property needed new heating system and roof repairs
- Original Victorian features needed careful restoration
Our Solution:
- From first call to completion in just 12 days
- Bought the house as-is with all its period property maintenance needs
- Handled all the cleanout requirements
- Managed switching utilities remotely
- Took care of all legal arrangements
Emma’s Experience: “After months of stress about my grandmother’s beautiful but tired Victorian house, Property Buyers Today was exactly what I needed. Their offer was fair considering all the period property work needed, and completing in under two weeks meant I could finally focus on my life in Scotland. They really understood the challenges with these older Preston houses.”
Student Property Chain Break in Plungington
The Johnson family faced disaster when selling their house. They had already committed to buying their dream retirement home in the Lake District, but their Plungington student rental property buyer suddenly withdrew.
Challenges:
- They needed to complete their new house purchase urgently
- They risked losing their £55,000 deposit
- Finding a new buyer could take 4-5 months according to their estate agent
- The student property had complex rental income documentation
- The property needed work after years of student tenants
Our Solution:
- Making an offer within 24 hours of their call for a rapid home selling solution
- Coordinating completion to match their new purchase date
- Working directly with both sets of solicitors
- Understanding the student rental business complications
- Providing flexible arrangements for their retirement timeline
The Johnson family said: “When our buyer pulled out on our student rental property, we thought our Lake District retirement was over. Property Buyers Today literally saved our plans with their fast property sale service. Yes, we received less than the original offer, but when we calculated the costs of delays and potentially losing our retirement home, it made perfect sense. They understood the student rental market complications.”
Difficult Flood Risk Property in Fishwick
Background: Robert owned a Victorian terraced house in Fishwick near the River Ribble with flood damage history that made it extremely difficult to sell through traditional channels.
Challenges:
- Two estate agents refused to market due to flood risk concerns
- Previous flood damage had affected foundations
- Insurance companies were reluctant to provide cover
- No mortgage lender would approve loans without expensive flood defenses
- The property had been on market for 10 months
Our Solution:
- Purchasing the property despite its flood risk history
- Understanding all the flood damage and insurance complications
- Completing the sale in just 8 days
- Managing all complex environmental documentation
- No requirement for expensive flood defense work
Robert said: “I thought I’d never sell my house because of the flood problems near the river. Property Buyers Today’s speedy house sale service offered a fair price considering the flood risk and handled everything so professionally. They understood these riverside Preston properties and the challenges that come with living near the Ribble.”
Preston Areas We Cover
Property Buyers Today operates throughout Preston and the surrounding areas. Our local knowledge means we understand each area’s special characteristics:
Central Preston
City center, Avenham, Fishwick, Ribbleton
Known for: Period buildings, city regeneration, transport links, student areas
Our approach: City center expertise, period property knowledge, student market understanding
North Preston
Fulwood, Sharoe Green, Grimsargh, Longridge
Known for: Family areas, good schools, higher house prices, suburban living
Our approach: Family housing expertise, suburban market knowledge
South Preston
Penwortham, Walton-le-Dale, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall
Known for: Commuter areas, mixed property types, good transport, family communities
Our approach: Commuter market understanding, mixed property expertise
Preston Villages
Goosnargh, Broughton, Woodplumpton, Barton
Known for: Village life, rural settings, detached houses, countryside living
Our approach: Village property expertise, rural market knowledge
For every Preston area, we provide:
- Lancashire-specific local market knowledge
- Area-appropriate completion schedules
- Valuations reflecting local demand
- Understanding of the university and transport impact
- Knowledge of area-specific challenges and opportunities
