If you're behind on mortgage payments and repossession feels inevitable, selling your property voluntarily may allow you to clear your mortgage debt, protect any remaining equity, and avoid the lasting impact of a forced sale. Howsold's Modern Method of Auction can help you find a committed buyer quickly — with zero seller fees. Always seek independent legal and financial advice about your specific situation.
Indicative estimate only · No obligation · Not legal or financial advice
Our AI-powered tool analyses live sold prices and local market data to give you an indicative estimate.
Indicative estimate only. Based on comparable sold prices and AI analysis — AI can make mistakes. Not a formal valuation or professional appraisal.
When mortgage payments are missed, the lender may begin the process of recovering the property. If the process reaches court and a possession order is granted, the property can be sold at auction by the lender — often at a price significantly below market value. You may still owe the shortfall, plus the lender's legal costs.
A voluntary sale — where you sell the property yourself before the lender takes possession — can change the outcome. Competitive bidding through Howsold may achieve a higher price than a forced lender sale, potentially allowing you to clear your mortgage, cover your costs, and retain any remaining equity. It may also reduce the long-term impact on your credit record.
Time is the critical factor. The earlier you act, the more options may be available. Once a possession order is granted, the window narrows significantly. We strongly recommend speaking to your lender, seeking independent legal and financial advice, and exploring your sale options as early as possible.
This page is not legal or financial advice. Every situation is different. Howsold can help you understand what your property may be worth and how quickly a sale could complete — but decisions about your mortgage and any legal proceedings should always be taken with independent professional advice.
We understand that facing repossession is stressful. If you'd like to understand what your property may be worth and how quickly it could sell, we're happy to have that conversation — no pressure, no commitment.
Always seek independent legal and financial advice about your mortgage situation. Howsold does not provide legal or financial advice.
Call Us: 0151 203 8283¹ ~26% of UK private treaty sales fell through in 2025 (Quick Move Now). Auction reservation terms require buyers to commit financially before proceeding. † Based on Howsold sales to date. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Not a quick-buy company offering a discounted price. Not a traditional agent who may take months. A model built for speed, competitive pricing, and certainty.
Multiple buyers bid against each other for your property. The price is driven by genuine competition, not by a single company making a low offer. This can help achieve a stronger price to clear your mortgage balance.
When every pound matters, Howsold charges you nothing. No listing fee, no commission, no hidden costs. The buyer pays the reservation fee. More of the sale price goes toward clearing your debt.
Your auction date is fixed from day one. We target exchange and completion within 56 days of a buyer reserving. Individual timelines can vary, but the process is designed to be significantly faster than private treaty.
The buyer pays a non-refundable reservation fee (typically 4.5% inc VAT, minimum £6,600). This financial commitment is designed to reduce the risk of the sale collapsing — critical when your window may be limited.
The moment you instruct us, we contact our network of pre-qualified cash buyers and investors. Over 70% of our properties attract a buyer before auction day — we work your sale from day one, not after weeks of marketing.
If your property is unlikely to achieve enough to clear your mortgage, we'll tell you that upfront. We'd rather you know your position early than find out too late. We always recommend independent financial advice alongside our process.
Call us on 0151 203 8283 or WhatsApp us. We'll discuss your property, your mortgage situation, and how quickly you may need to move. We'll give you an honest indicative estimate and explain how the process works. No obligation, no pressure.
Your property is listed and we contact our pre-qualified buyer network immediately. The fixed auction date creates urgency. Over 70% of our properties attract interest before auction day. We work your sale from day one.
Whether agreed prior to auction or on the day, the buyer signs reservation terms and pays a non-refundable reservation fee. We target exchange and completion within 56 days. Zero Howsold seller fees. Individual timelines may vary.
Illustrative figures based on stated assumptions — see footnote. Not financial advice. Always seek independent advice about your mortgage situation.
| Traditional Estate Agent | Quick-Buy Company | HOWSOLD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seller fees | £3,000–£4,800 (1.5–2% + VAT) | Often £0 (but reduced price) | £0 |
| Typical sale price | Market value (if it sells in time) | ~£170,000 (15–20% below market) | Competitive bidding — buyers compete |
| Buyer committed? | No — can walk any time | Yes | Yes — reservation fee paid |
| Timeline to completion | 20+ weeks average | 4–8 weeks | Target 56 days |
| Fall-through risk | ~26% nationally | Very low | Reduced by reservation fee |
| Fast enough for repossession timeline? | Often no | Usually yes | Designed for speed and certainty |
| Net result (illustrative) | May not complete in time | ~£170,000 — may leave shortfall | £0 fees + competitive price |
Sellers remain responsible for their own legal/conveyancing costs (typically £1,000–£2,500) and outstanding mortgage balance. Howsold fees are £0. Individual results vary. Not financial advice.
Illustrative figures on a £200,000 property. Estate agent at 1.5% + VAT. Quick-buy assumed at 15–20% below market. Individual results will vary. This is not financial advice. Always seek independent advice.
The Modern Method of Auction (MMA) is a conditional online property auction used across the UK. Unlike traditional auctions with 28-day completion windows, MMA allows buyers to use mortgage finance — meaning a wider, more competitive buyer pool.
For sellers facing repossession, MMA has specific advantages. The fixed auction date creates a defined timeline you can communicate to your lender. The reservation fee means the buyer is financially committed from day one — reducing the risk of the sale collapsing when you can least afford it. And competitive bidding may help achieve a price that clears your mortgage, rather than leaving a shortfall.
This is not a guarantee of any specific outcome. Individual results will vary based on your property, the market, and your specific circumstances. Always seek independent advice.
Fixed auction date gives your lender a clear timeline Many lenders may be more willing to hold off on proceedings if they can see a defined sale process with a completion date. The fixed auction date provides that clarity.
Reservation fee commits the buyer The buyer pays 4.5% inc VAT (minimum £6,600) upfront. If they withdraw without justification, they forfeit the fee. This is designed to reduce the fall-through risk that is particularly damaging in time-pressured situations.
Competitive bidding may achieve a stronger price Unlike a quick-buy company making a single discounted offer, multiple buyers competing for your property can help drive the price toward genuine market value — though individual outcomes will vary.
We work your sale from day one The moment you instruct us, we contact pre-qualified cash buyers. We don't list and wait. Over 70% of our properties attract interest before auction day.
In many cases, yes. If your mortgage lender has not yet obtained a possession order, you may still be able to sell the property voluntarily. A voluntary sale typically allows you to achieve a higher price than a forced sale at repossession, and may help you clear your mortgage debt and retain any remaining equity. We strongly recommend seeking independent legal and financial advice specific to your situation as early as possible.
We target exchange and completion within 56 days from a buyer reserving your property. Marketing typically runs for 2–4 weeks before auction day, though over 70% of our properties attract a buyer before auction day through our network. If your situation is particularly urgent, call us directly on 0151 203 8283 — in some cases we may be able to approach buyers from our existing investor network before launching a full auction. Individual timelines can vary.
Howsold is not a quick-buy company that offers a discounted price. Our competitive bidding process brings multiple buyers together, which can help drive the price toward genuine market value. Combined with zero Howsold seller fees, your net proceeds may be higher than with a traditional estate agent — though individual results will vary and are not guaranteed.
Zero Howsold fees. The buyer pays the reservation fee, not you. Sellers remain responsible for their own legal and conveyancing costs, typically £1,000–£2,500, and any outstanding mortgage balance. Everything is confirmed in writing before you sign anything.
If your lender has begun court proceedings, time is limited but a voluntary sale may still be possible depending on how far the process has progressed. Many lenders may prefer a voluntary sale over repossession because it can achieve a higher price. However, this depends entirely on your lender and your specific circumstances. We strongly recommend seeking independent legal advice immediately if you are at this stage.
We would always recommend communicating with your mortgage lender if you are experiencing payment difficulties. Many lenders have hardship teams and may be willing to allow time for a voluntary sale. You should also seek independent financial advice. Howsold can work alongside this process, but we do not provide legal or financial advice ourselves.
If bidding doesn't reach your reserve price and no pre-auction offer suits you, the property doesn't sell and you pay Howsold nothing. We can re-run in the following month's auction with any strategic adjustments discussed beforehand.
Yes. We are members of the Property Redress Scheme. Finance introductions via Melius (FCA-authorised) — a referral fee will apply if a referral is made, and will be disclosed to you. Howsold is a trading name of Latomus Capital Limited (Company No. 15497250), registered in England & Wales.
Enter your postcode for an indicative estimate. No obligation, no commitment. If you'd prefer to talk, call us on 0151 203 8283.
Our AI-powered tool analyses live sold prices and local market data to give you an indicative estimate.
Indicative estimate only. Based on comparable sold prices and AI analysis — AI can make mistakes. Not a formal valuation or professional appraisal.