How It Works: Property Sales, Reimagined
Forget the long delays, broken chains, and blind offers. We've built a better, faster, more secure way to sell and buy property — blending the best bits of private sales and auctions, while leaving the outdated stuff behind.
🏡 At Howsold, we've redefined how homes are bought and sold
The property market has been stuck in the past for decades. Traditional sales take months with high risk of fall-throughs, while auctions are too restrictive for most buyers.
We've created a third option — combining the speed and certainty of auctions with the accessibility and flexibility that modern buyers need.
🔎 Start With the Basics: What are the current options out there today?
Let's compare the three main ways to sell property in today's market
2️⃣Traditional Auction
28-day contracts
Property is sold through an auction house with a fixed date. Bidders must exchange contracts immediately and complete in 28 days.
✅ What's Good:
- Fast and legally binding
- Transparent bidding
- Certainty of completion
❌ The Problems:
- Buyers need cash or pre-approved finance
- Not suitable for most residential buyers
- Smaller buyer pool, often investors only
- Very tight completion timeline
⚖️ Comparison Table: What's the Best Way to Sell?
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Private Sale | Traditional Auction | Howsold's Modern Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completion Time | 8–16 weeks | 28 days | 56 days |
| Buyer Commitment Early? | ❌ None | ✅ Full 10% deposit | ✅ Reservation Fee |
| Mortgage Buyers Welcome? | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rarely | ✅ Yes |
| Risk of Fall-Through | 🔴 Very High | 🟢 Very Low | 🟢 Very Low |
| Transparency in Offers | ❌ None | ✅ Public bidding | ✅ Public bidding |
| Seller Fees | 💷 Estate agent % | 💷 Auction fees | ❌ No seller fees |
| Support from Experts | ⚠️ Depends on agent | 🟡 Auction house only | ✅ Howsold team guides you |
🧭 How It Works (Step-by-Step)
Our streamlined process makes selling your property simple and stress-free
1List Your Property
We handle the marketing — your home is listed on Rightmove, property portals, with local agents and shared with our investor network.
- Professional photography and floor plans
- Listed on all major property portals
- Shared with our investor network
- Expert marketing strategy
2Receive Competitive Bids
Bidders compete online in a transparent auction-style format. You can see all bids in real-time and watch the competition unfold.
- Transparent online bidding
- Real-time bid updates
- No blind offers
- Competition drives prices up
3Buyer Pays Reservation Fee
The highest bidder secures the property with a non-refundable reservation fee, dramatically reducing the risk of fall-throughs.
- Non-refundable commitment
- Reduces fall-through risk
- Immediate security for sellers
- Legal protection for both parties
4Legal Process Begins
The buyer has 56 days to complete — plenty of time for mortgages, surveys, and legal work. We guide both parties through the process.
- 56 days to complete (vs 28 for traditional auctions)
- Time for mortgage arrangements
- Professional surveys and legal work
- Expert guidance throughout
5Completion Day
The property is sold. Fast, secure, and with far fewer headaches than traditional sales. You get your money and can move on with confidence.
- Guaranteed completion (reservation fee ensures commitment)
- Faster than traditional sales
- Less stress and uncertainty
- Full support until keys are handed over
💬 FAQ: Modern Method of Auction
Get answers to the most common questions about our innovative selling process
🟡Is this a real auction?
+Not in the old-school sense. It's online, transparent, and much more flexible — giving more buyers access and more sellers security. Think of it as auction-style bidding with modern flexibility.
🟢Why is the buyer paying a reservation fee?
+It secures their intent to buy and dramatically reduces time-wasting and failed sales. This financial commitment ensures serious buyers only, protecting sellers from the frustration of fall-throughs.
🔵What if the buyer backs out?
+The reservation fee is non-refundable, therefore drastically reducing the chances of this happening. There is also the option to offer the property to other highest bidders, should this happen.
🟢Can mortgage buyers take part?
+Yes! That's the point. Unlike traditional auctions, they have 56 days — time to arrange a mortgage, conduct surveys, and complete all necessary legal work.
🔴Do I need to pay any fees as the seller?
+Zero seller fees. Our partnered estate agents handle the listing, and the buyer pays the reservation fee. You sit back and enjoy a speedy sale at the price you deserve.
🟢Will I get full market value?
+Yes — often more. The competition between buyers can drive the price up, and you avoid price drops or delays that happen in private sales. Transparent bidding means you see the true market value.
🔗 Ready to sell faster, safer, and with full support?
Join thousands who've experienced the Howsold difference
🎯 The Howsold Difference
We've been in the industry for decades. We've seen the pain points. That's why we built a better way to buy and sell homes — fairer, faster, and more secure.