Losing someone is hard enough without the stress of managing a property sale. Whether probate has been granted or you're still waiting, Howsold can help you understand your options and, when you're ready, sell the property with zero seller fees, a committed buyer, and a clear timeline. We deal with families in this situation regularly — and we treat every one with the care it deserves.
Indicative estimate only · No obligation · No commitment
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.
Selling a property after a bereavement involves both emotional and practical challenges. There is no rush — you should move at a pace that feels right for you and your family. When you are ready, understanding the process can help reduce some of the uncertainty.
Probate: In most cases, the property cannot be sold until a grant of probate (or letters of administration) has been issued by the Probate Registry. This process typically takes 8–12 weeks but can vary, particularly if the estate is complex or if there are multiple beneficiaries. You can begin marketing the property before probate is granted, so that a buyer is ready to proceed when the grant comes through. We recommend independent legal advice about your specific probate situation.
The property: A family home that has been lived in for many years may need work. It may be full of personal belongings. It may not be in a condition that appeals to traditional residential buyers who need a mortgage. None of this is a barrier with Howsold — our buyer network includes investors who purchase properties in any condition, often with contents still in place.
The emotional weight: This is a family home with decades of memories. The last thing you need is months of uncertainty, estate agent fees eating into the estate, or a sale falling through and having to start again. Howsold's process is designed to be clear, certain, and as simple as possible. Zero seller fees. A committed buyer. A defined timeline.
This page is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always seek independent professional advice about probate, inheritance tax, and estate administration.
There is no pressure. When you and your family are ready to sell, Howsold offers a clear, honest process — competitive bidding, a committed buyer, zero seller fees, and a target 56-day completion. Call us whenever you're ready to talk.
Property Redress Scheme member. Individual results vary.
Get a Free Estimate →¹ ~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.
A clear, honest process with zero seller fees. Designed for situations where simplicity, certainty, and care matter most.
Every family we work with deals with a named person in our Liverpool office. One point of contact who understands your situation, answers your calls, and manages the process from start to finish. No call centres, no handoffs.
You pay Howsold nothing. No listing fee, no commission, no deductions. On a £250,000 property versus a 1.5% agent, that's potentially £4,500 more going to the estate and the people it was intended for.
If the property needs work, hasn't been maintained, or still contains personal belongings, that's not a barrier. Many of our investor buyers purchase properties as-is and manage clearance and renovation themselves.
The buyer pays a non-refundable reservation fee (typically 4.5% inc VAT, minimum £6,600). This financial commitment is designed to prevent the sale collapsing — avoiding the distress of restarting after months of effort.
You can begin marketing the property before the grant of probate is issued. This means a buyer may be ready to proceed as soon as probate comes through, reducing the overall timeline. The sale cannot complete until probate is granted.
From a buyer reserving the property, we target exchange and completion within 56 days. A defined timeline that you, other executors, and beneficiaries can plan around. Individual timelines may vary.
Call us on 0151 203 8283 whenever you're ready — whether that's now or in six months. We'll give you an honest indicative estimate, explain how the process works, and answer any questions about probate timing. No obligation, no pressure.
When you're ready to proceed, your property is listed and we contact our pre-qualified buyer network. The property can be marketed before probate is granted. Over 70% of our properties attract a buyer before auction day.
The winning buyer pays a reservation fee and is committed. We target exchange and completion within 56 days from reservation (completion cannot occur before probate is granted). Zero Howsold seller fees. Individual timelines may vary.
Illustrative figures based on stated assumptions. Not financial advice. Individual results will vary.
| Quick-Buy Cash Company | Traditional Estate Agent | HOWSOLD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical offer/sale price | ~£200,000–£212,500 (15–20% below) | ~£250,000 (if it sells) | Competitive bidding result |
| Seller fees | Often £0 (built into discount) | £3,750–£6,000 (1.5–2% + VAT) | £0 |
| Timeline | 4–8 weeks | 20+ weeks average | Target 56 days |
| Buyer committed? | Yes | No — can walk any time | Yes — reservation fee paid |
| Fall-through risk | Very low | ~26% nationally | Reduced by reservation fee |
| Price mechanism | Single company sets price | Single buyer negotiates | Multiple buyers compete |
| Illustrative net proceeds¹ | ~£200,000–£212,500 | ~£244,000 after fees (if it sells) | Market price + £0 fees |
Sellers remain responsible for their own legal/conveyancing costs (typically £1,000–£2,500). Howsold fees are £0. Individual results vary. Not financial advice.
¹ Illustrative only on a £250,000 property. Quick-buy assumed at 15–20% below market. Agent at 1.5% + VAT. Individual results will vary. Not financial advice.
The Modern Method of Auction is a conditional online property auction used across the UK. Unlike traditional 28-day auctions, it allows both cash and mortgage buyers to participate — widening the buyer pool and increasing competition.
Estate properties often have characteristics that make them harder to sell through traditional agents — they may be empty, in need of work, or full of personal belongings. The Modern Method of Auction connects these properties with investor buyers who actively want them, through a transparent process that provides executors and beneficiaries with a clear, documented sale process.
Transparent process for executors The auction process provides a clear, documented record of competitive bidding. This can be useful for executors who need to demonstrate to beneficiaries and to HMRC that the property was sold through a transparent, competitive process.
Properties in any condition accepted Empty, unmaintained, full of furniture, needs a new roof — all accepted. Our investor buyers factor condition into their bids and many actively prefer properties that need work. No repairs or house clearance needed before selling.
Reservation fee protects the sale The buyer pays 4.5% inc VAT (minimum £6,600) upfront. This non-refundable fee commits them from day one, reducing the risk of the sale falling through — which is particularly important when multiple family members are relying on the proceeds.
Can begin before probate You can list and market the property before probate is granted. This means a buyer may already be committed by the time the grant comes through, significantly reducing the overall timeline from bereavement to completion.
You can begin marketing a property before probate is granted, but the sale cannot legally complete until the grant of probate (or letters of administration) has been issued. Starting the process early can mean a buyer is ready to proceed as soon as probate comes through, reducing the overall timeline. We recommend seeking independent legal advice about your specific probate situation.
Not necessarily. Many of our investor buyers purchase properties with contents still in place and manage the clearance themselves. If you would prefer to clear the property first, that is entirely your choice. We can discuss what works best for your situation.
Once probate has been granted and you are ready to proceed, Howsold targets exchange and completion within 56 days from a buyer reserving the property. The probate process itself typically takes 8–12 weeks but can vary significantly. Individual sale timelines will also vary depending on legal factors.
Zero Howsold fees. The buyer pays the reservation fee (4.5% inc VAT or £6,600 minimum), not you. Sellers remain responsible for their own legal and conveyancing costs, typically £1,000–£2,500. Everything is confirmed in writing before you sign anything.
We work with multiple executors and beneficiaries regularly. All parties with legal authority over the sale will need to agree to proceed. We recommend independent legal advice to ensure the correct people are authorised to instruct the sale.
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 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.
When you're ready. No obligation, no pressure, no commitment.
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.