New research by Lomond has unveiled the substantial savings cash buyers can secure in today’s property market, with some sellers slashing prices by as much as £86,000 to secure a smoother transaction.
As the mortgage market stabilises following a period of uncertainty, many sellers remain keen to attract cash buyers, offering significant discounts in exchange for the speed and reliability such transactions provide.
Cash buyers are in high demand
The study examined current property listings across England, focusing on homes marketed specifically for cash buyers and comparing their asking prices with the wider regional average.
It revealed that thousands of properties are listed with “cash buyer only” stipulations. On average, these homes are priced at £257,513—a discount of 17% or £52,059 compared to the typical house price across England.
However, in some regions, the savings for cash buyers are even more striking.
Regional discounts for cash buyers
Yorkshire and the Humber tops the list for the most significant percentage discount, with properties marketed to cash buyers priced 25% below the regional average. This equates to a saving of £54,043.
Meanwhile, in the South East, the average discount is 22%, the highest in monetary terms at an impressive £85,979. The region also accounts for 23% of all “cash buyer only” listings, second only to the East Midlands, where 29% of listings carry this stipulation.
Cash buyers in the West Midlands can secure the third-largest discount, with an average price cut of 20% or £51,961.
In contrast, London offers the smallest percentage reduction, with “cash buyer only” properties discounted by 8% compared to the regional average. However, given the capital’s high property prices, this still translates to a saving of £41,967.
The appeal of cash buyers
Lomond CEO, Ed Phillips, explained why sellers are willing to accept such significant reductions.
“Cash buyer status has always carried an immense amount of weight within the UK property market as it allows sellers to dramatically reduce the time associated with selling a home,” Phillips said.
“While we’ve now seen a far greater degree of stability return to the property market following the initial hold and subsequent reductions to the base rate, it’s clear that some sellers are still more than happy to offer significant discounts in order to secure a cash buyer.”
Why are sellers offering discounts?
Cash transactions offer an expedited and reliable alternative to mortgage-backed sales, minimising the risk of delays or deal collapses. For sellers looking to move quickly, particularly in a competitive or uncertain market, the benefits of securing a cash buyer often outweigh the financial trade-off.
With discounts as high as £86,000 in some areas, the data underscores how attractive cash buyers have become in the current property landscape—a trend that’s reshaping negotiations and offering significant opportunities for those in a position to pay outright.