If you have been wondering how to sell your flat quickly, or you have been stuck on the open market longer than you expected, get in touch and let us have a straightforward conversation about your options.
Understanding Your Options Before You Decide
Most flat owners default to an estate agent when they decide to sell. But it is not the only route available to you. Here is a clear breakdown of every option and what each one actually means in practice.
Estate Agent. The traditional route. Can achieve the highest price but typically takes anywhere from 15 to 52 weeks and comes with estate agent fees, solicitor costs, and no guarantee of completion. If your flat has a short lease or condition issues, the process becomes significantly more complicated.
Online Estate Agent. Lower fees than a high street agent but still no certainty on timescale or completion. Typically takes 16 to 25 weeks. Many online agents charge their fee upfront regardless of whether they sell your flat or not.
Property Auction. Can be quick once the auction date arrives but the process itself takes 6 to 10 weeks, costs can reach £5,000, and there is no guarantee your flat will sell on the day. If it does not reach the reserve price, you are back to square one with auction fees already paid.
Selling Directly to Me. No fees, no agents, no uncertainty. I make you a cash offer, we agree a timescale that works for you, and I handle everything from there. Most sales complete in 2 to 3 weeks.
SELLING A FLAT WITH A SHORT LEASE
Short Lease? That Is Not a Problem for Me.
This is one of the most common problems flat owners face when trying to sell. If your flat has a lease under 89 years, many mortgage lenders will not lend against it, which severely limits the pool of buyers available to you on the open market. Under 80 years and the situation becomes even more difficult, with lease extensions becoming increasingly expensive and the number of willing buyers shrinking further.
I buy flats with short leases. If you are struggling to sell because of a lease issue, that is not a barrier for me. I assess the flat on its own merits and make an offer that reflects the current situation. Get in touch and let us talk through your specific circumstances.
HOW MUCH WILL I OFFER FOR YOUR FLAT
An Honest Answer on Price
I will always be upfront with you about this. I cannot offer full open market value for your flat. The figure I typically work to is around 80% of market value, though this depends on the specific property, its condition, its location, the lease length, and the circumstances of the sale. In some cases I can achieve more.
The best way to find out exactly what I can offer is a quick conversation. No obligation, no pressure, just an honest figure based on your specific property and situation.
And remember, as the comparison table below shows, what looks like a lower offer on the surface often puts more money in your pocket once you factor in the months of costs, fees, and ongoing bills that come with a traditional sale.
Whatever Your Flat Situation, Get in Touch
I have bought flats in all of the following situations and more. If yours is not listed, get in touch anyway and I will let you know if I can help.
- Flats with short leases under 89 years.
- Flats with short leases under 80 years.Â
- Flats with managing agent complications.
- Flats in need of full refurbishment.
- Flats that have been empty for extended periods.
- Flats with ground rent issues
- Leasehold flats with legal complications.
- Flats with sitting tenants#
- Flats with sitting tenants
The honest numbers
Why a lower offer does not always mean less money in your pocket.
Corporate cash buyers show you comparison tables that make their offer look better than it is. I would rather show you an honest one. Here is what the numbers actually look like on a typical £100,000 property.
| Sale route | Estate agent (9 months) | Matt Knowles Property |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised price | £100,000 | £80,000 |
| Offer accepted (typical 5% discount) | £95,000 | £80,000 |
| Post-survey negotiation | £91,750 | £80,000 |
| Estate agent fees (2% + VAT) | £89,548 | £80,000 |
| Solicitor fees | £88,348 | £80,000 |
| Utility bills & council tax (9 months) | £84,973 | £80,000 |
| Mortgage payments during sale | £79,906 | £80,000 |
| What you actually receive | £79,906 | £80,000 |
| Option | Average Sale Length | Typical Cost to You |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Knowles Property | 2 to 3 weeks | £0 |
| Other house buying companies | 2 to 10 weeks | £1,000 |
| Property auction | 6 to 10 weeks | £2,500 to £5,000 |
| Online estate agent | 16 to 25 weeks | £1,000 to £5,000 |
| Estate agent | 15 to 52 weeks | £5,000 |
HOW IT WORKS WITH ME
Five steps in your story of selling with confidence, clarity, and complete peace of mind
Step 1
Get in Touch. Call me, message me on WhatsApp, or fill in the form. Tell me about your property and your situation. No pressure, no scripts, just a conversation.
Step 2
I Review and Come Back to You Within 24 Hours. I assess the property and come back to you personally with an honest cash offer within 24 hours.
Step 3
RICS Survey at My Cost. If the offer works for you in principle, I instruct a RICS accredited surveyor at my own cost. There is no charge to you at any stage.
Step 4
Price Locked With Escrow Deposit. Once we have agreed a final price after the survey, I pay a £1,000 deposit held in escrow by your solicitor. The price is locked from that point.
Step 5
Completion on Your Timescale. We agree a completion date that works around you and I handle everything from there. Funds transfer to you in full on completion day.
Want to Find Out What I Can Offer for Your Property?
Get in touch today for a no obligation conversation. I will give you an honest answer within 24 hours. If I am not the right option for you, I will tell you that too.
