How to get rid of a house you cannot sell?
Stuck with a property you can’t sell? Discover how to get rid of a house that won’t move on the open market. Learn why selling to cash buyers like We Buy Any House is the fastest and most stress-free solution
Selling a house isn’t always simple. While some properties fly off the market within days, others seem to linger for months, or even years, without attracting serious buyers. If you’ve been struggling to sell your house, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face challenges such as structural issues, location disadvantages, legal complications, or simply a sluggish property market.
The good news? You don’t have to feel trapped.
There are proven strategies that can help you get rid of a house you cannot sell. Whether that means improving your chances on the open market, exploring alternative sales routes, or opting for a fast, guaranteed cash sale with companies like We Buy Any House.
In this guide, we will cover:
- Common reasons a house won’t sell
- The real costs of an unsold property
- Practical steps to make your home more marketable
- Alternative selling routes beyond estate agents
- How to sell your house quickly with a cash buyer
- Why We Buy Any House could be the solution you’ve been looking for
Why some houses simply don’t sell
Every property is unique, but there are common reasons why certain houses don’t find buyers. understanding these changes is the first step in overcoming them.
Pricing problems
Perhaps the most common roadblock is pricing. Overpricing can instantly turn away potential buyers, especially in today’s digital age, where property listings are compared side by side on portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. If your property is priced even 5-10% above market value, it risks being overlooked.
Location disadvantages
The old saying ‘location, location, location’ still rings true. Proximity to noisy roads, airports, waste facilities, or being in an area with high crime rates can deter buyers. Even being near a school can be a double-edged sword, great for families, but less appealing for retirees or young property professionals.
Property condition
A house in poor condition can sit unsold for years. Mortgage lenders often refuse to finance properties with severe issues like subsidence, damp, or structural defects. This immediately eliminated a large pool of potential buyers, leaving only cash buyers in the market.
Title or legal issues
Complications like restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, or short lease terms can scare off buyers. Leasehold properties with less than 70 years remaining often need costly lease extensions before being attractive to the market.
Market conditions
Sometimes the problem is bigger than your property. Regional housing markets fluctuate, and in slower periods, even well-priced, well-presented homes can struggle to move.
The real cost of an unsold property
It’s easy to focus on the frustration of having an unsold property, but the financial implications are just as serious.
- Mortgage payments: If you still have a mortgage, every month without a sale drains your finances.
- Council tax: Empty homes are subject to council tax, and some councils even add premiums on long-term vacant properties.
- Insurance: Insuring an empty property can be more expensive, as insurers view it as a higher risk.
- Utilities: Even if minimal, water, electricity, and gas standing charges still apply.
- Maintenance costs: Roof leaks, burst pipes or vandalism can occur when a properties sit empty.
- Emotional toll: Beyond financial concerns, being unable to sell your house can cause significant stress and delay major life decisions.
Example:
A couple in Leeds inherited a property valued at £150,000. After two years on the market without success, they had spent nearly £8,000 in council tax, utilities, and upkeep. Money that could have gone towards their own home.
Step 1: Reassess your selling strategy
Before giving up on the open market entirely, it’s worth reviewing your current approach.
Revaluate the price
Get at least three valuations from different estate agents. Look at recently sold prices, not just asking prices. Tools like HM Land Registry and Rightmove Sold Prices can provide clarity.
Improve presentation
Staging can make a huge difference. Simple upgrades such as:
- Fresh paint
- Replacing outdated carpets or curtains
- Decluttering and deep cleaning
- Hiring a professional photographer
These small investments often pay off by making your home more appealing online and in person.
Market with energy
If your listing has been stagnant, consider changing estate agents. A new agent may market your property differently, tap into their buyer network, or use fresh strategies such as video tours and social media promotion.
Still, these efforts don’t guarantee success, especially if your home has more serious issues.
Step 2: Explore alternative selling routes
If the traditional estate agent route isn’t working, other options may help you move forward.
Auction Sales
Property auctions are increasingly popular for selling difficult or unusual homes.
How it works:
You agree on a reserve price with the auction house; this is the lowest price you’re willing to accept. On auction day, buyers bid against each other, and if the bidding meets or exceeds your reserve, the sale is legally binding the moment the hammer falls.
Pros
- Quick, binding sales once the hammer falls
- Good for properties needing renovation
- Competitive bidding can sometimes push prices up
Cons
- No guarantee of sale if the reserve isn’t met
- Fees can be high, including auction entry, legal pack, and commission
- Buyers expect a discount
Part exchange scheme
If you’re planning to buy a new-build home, developers often run part-exchange schemes. This means they agree to purchase your existing property as part of the deal, allowing you to move forward without waiting for a buyer.
How it works:
The developer values your property and makes you an offer, typically slightly below market value. If you accept, the transaction is tied directly to the purchase of your new home, ensuring a smooth move.
Pros
- Convenience and speed: You avoid the uncertainty of the open market
- No need to find a buyer: The developer takes your current property off your hands.
- Less stress: No chains, delays or fall-throughs.
Cons
- Lower valuations: Developers often offer less than the open market value to cover their risks.
- Limited availability: This applies only to the purchase of specific new-build properties.
- Reduced negotiating power: Since you’re tied into the developer’s schemes, you may have less leverage on the price of your new home.
Example:
A couple in Manchester wanting to downsize into a new-build retirement apartment might find part exchange ideal. They accept a slightly reduced price for their old family home, but gain the certainty of moving quickly without delays.
Renting out your property
If selling isn’t working right now, turning your property into a rental could provide the income while you wait for the market to improve. This option works well for homeowners who don’t urgently need to release equity but don’t want their house sitting empty.
How it works
You let your property to tenants, either privately or through a letting agent. The rental income can cover your mortgage and outgoings, while you retain ownership until you’re ready to sell.
Pros
- Generates rental income: Provides a steady cash flow to offset mortgage payments.
- Keeps the property occupied: Reduces risks of vandalism and deterioration that comes with empty homes.
- Flexibility: You can wait until the market picks up before trying to sell again.
Cons
- Becoming a landlord: You’ll have legal responsibilities, including tenant safety, maintenance and compliance with rental regulations.
- Void periods: Times when the property sits empty between tenants can still cost you money.
- Tenant risks: Late rent payments, property damage, or disputes can create headaches.
Example:
A homeowner in Glasgow is struggling to sell a flat in a slow market and decides to rent it out for two years. The rental income covers the mortgage, and when the market improves, they successfully relist and sell at a better price.
While each of these options, auction, part exchange or renting, can be useful in certain circumstances, they all have limitations. If you need a guaranteed sale and want to move on without ongoing costs or risks, selling directly to a cash home buyer like We Buy Any House could be the most straightforward solution.
Selling to a cash house buyer
If your house has been stuck on the market for months or even years, one of the most effective ways to move forward is to sell directly to a professional cash buyer. Unlike estate agents or auctions, this route is designed for speed, certainty and simplicity.
How cash home buyers work
Cash home buying companies like We Buy Any House purchase your property directly, using their own funds. That means there’s no waiting for mortgage approvals, no chains and no uncertainty about whether a buyer will pull out at the last minute.
The process typically looks like:
- Request a free valuation: You contact us at We Buy Any House for an initial no-obligation offer.
- Receive an offer: We assess your property based on its condition, location, and the current market.
- Agree terms: If you’re happy with the offer, solicitors are instructed immediately.
- Completion: The sale can be finalised in as little as 7 days, or on a date that suits you.
It’s a streamlined, hassle-free process compared to the traditional property market.
Pros
- Guaranteed sale: Once you accept the offer, the sale is assured. You don’t have to worry about fall-throughs, mortgage rejections, or chains collapsing.
- Speed: Sales can complete in as little as a week. This is invaluable if you’re facing repossession, relocating for work, or need to release funds quickly.
- Sell any property, any condition: Cash buyers don’t shy away from problem homes. Properties with structural issues, damp, fire damage or short leases are all considered.
- No fees: You avoid estate agent commission, marketing costs and often even legal fees. With We Buy Any House, everything is covered.
- Certainty and peace of mind: You know exactly how much you’ll receive and when the sale will complete, allowing you to plan your next steps with confidence.
Cons of selling to a cash house buyer
To provide a balanced picture, it’s important to acknowledge that cash sales typically involve accepting a slightly lower price than the open market. Cash buyers take on properties quickly and cover risks, which means their offers are usually below full market value.
However, when you weigh that against:
- Months, or years, of waiting for a buyer
- Ongoing mortgage and bill payments
- Auction fees and uncertainty
It often works out as the most cost-effective and stress-free option.
Real-world examples of selling to cash buyers
- Facing repossession: A family behind on mortgage payments needed an urgent solution. By selling to We Buy Any House, they avoided repossession, cleared their debts, and moved into a more affordable rental.
- Inheritance property: A man inherited a property in poor condition that he didn’t want to renovate or manage. Within 10 days, the house was sold to a cash buyer, freeing him from the responsibility.
- Relocation abroad: A professional who was offered a job overseas needed to move quickly. By selling directly for cash, they completed the transaction in 14 days and had the funds in place to relocate without delay.
Why We Buy Any House is the trusted choice
Not all cash buyers are the same. Some companies make initial high offers and then reduce them later, known as gazundering. We Buy Any House stands out because:
- Nationwide service: Whether you’re in Glasgow, Birmingham, London or a rural village, they can help.
- Fair offers: Based on current market conditions, with transparency from day one.
- No hidden fees: What you’re offered is what you receive.
- Flexible completion dates: From 7 days to 7 weeks, whatever works for you.
- Proven track record: Thousands of homeowners have successfully sold through them.
- For homeowners asking: How do I sell my house quickly if no one else will buy it? The answer is simple: turn to a trusted cash buyer like We Buy Any House.
Conclusion
Owning a property that won’t sell can feel overwhelming, especially when months of waiting, price drops, and constant bills pile up without progress. Whether your home is struggling due to condition, location or market factors, the good news is that you do have options. From auctions and part exchange schemes to renting out your property, there are ways to move forward.
But if you need speed, certainty and a guaranteed result, the simplest solution is to sell your house directly to a cash house buyer like We Buy Any House. With no fees, no chains and completions in as little as 7 days, you can walk away from the stress and unlock the value of your home immediately.
Don’t let an unsellable property hold you back. Take control of your situation today, contact We Buy Any House and discover just how easy it can be to finally move on.