Guides, tips, and insight to help you sell your house quickly and confidently.
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Guides, tips, and insight to help you sell your house quickly and confidently.
Visit our blogAddress the concern directly — people searching this are worried about hidden costs, so acknowledge that openly. Selling at auction charges the seller in several ways that aren't always explained clearly up front: an entry/lot fee, the auctioneer's commission, and your own legal pack and EPC. With the Modern Method of Auction, the headline is that the buyer pays the reservation fee — but that fee tends to lower the bids, so it costs the seller indirectly. By contrast, Springbok charges sellers nothing and is not an auction house — it's a direct cash buyer that covers all legal and survey costs.
Cover each fee category with concrete figures:
Worked example: a £200,000 property sold via a traditional auction → net proceeds roughly £193,000 after 3% commission (£6,000), a £500 entry fee, and £500 legal costs. With MMoA, factor in the downward pressure on the price from the buyer's reservation fee.
| Cost | Selling at Auction | Springbok |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / lot fee | £300–£600+ (non-refundable even if unsold) | £0 |
| Commission | 2–3% of final price | £0 |
| Legal / solicitor costs | Seller pays (£300–£800) | Covered by Springbok |
| EPC (if required) | Seller pays (£60–£120) | £0 |
| Effect of buyer reservation fee (MMoA) | Suppresses bids — lowers your net | None — no auction, no buyer fee |
| Total cost to seller | £4,000–£8,000+ on a £200k property | £0 |
Be transparent about the model so it doesn't read as too good to be true. Springbok is a direct cash buyer: it makes its return on the property itself (buying with its own funds at an agreed price, or securing a deposit-backed buyer on Fixed Price™), not by charging the seller. So there is no commission, no entry fee, and no legal or survey cost passed to the homeowner — and, because there is no auction, no buyer reservation fee dragging the price down. The seller receives the agreed figure, in writing, with no deductions on completion.
MMoA can suit sellers of unusual or competitively desirable properties with flexible timelines. For most sellers wanting speed and certainty and their full price, a Springbok route fits better. Relevant scenarios with internal links:
Unlike auctions, Springbok Properties purchases directly using our own funds — no dependency on competitive bidding, mortgage approvals, or room dynamics. The price we agree is the price you receive.
We have completed over 19,000 transactions since 2012 and hold 31 industry awards for customer service excellence.
Auction houses charge sellers 2–3% plus VAT — on a £250,000 property that is up to £9,000 lost before legal costs. Springbok charges nothing. No commission, no listing fees, no legal fees, no withdrawal charges.
We are members of the NAPB and registered with The Property Ombudsman — your interests are always protected.
Over 11,700 independent reviews — Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars
Sellers consistently highlight three things: no surprise deductions, a human point of contact throughout, and a completion date that actually holds. That is the Springbok standard on every sale.
To get your free, no-obligation cash offer, simply enter your postcode above or call our team on 0800 068 7935. One of our property specialists will explain which of our three routes best suits your situation and provide a fair offer within 24 hours.
There is no pressure to accept. Many sellers come to us having already explored auctions — we are happy to explain the comparison in full so you can make the decision that is right for you.
One company. Three guaranteed ways to sell. All with zero fees and no auction required.
Maximum Speed
We purchase your property directly using our own cash funds. No mortgage lender, no chain, no delay. Ideal for sellers who need a guaranteed, fast completion above all else.
Immediate Relief
Designed for sellers who need to vacate within days. Springbok takes over maintenance and holding costs from day one — removing the ongoing financial burden immediately.
Maximum Value
For sellers who want close to full market value but still need speed and certainty. A mandatory reservation deposit from the buyer protects against fall-throughs — unlike estate agents or auctions.
Every seller's situation is different. Here is a straightforward guide to help you choose.
Remember: auction fees still apply even if your property does not sell
Regulated, award-winning, and free to use — every time
No commission, no listing fees, no legal fees. We cover everything. The offer you accept is exactly what reaches your bank account.
Faster than any auction timeline for most residential sellers. You choose the completion date that works for your situation.
NAPB member, TPO registered, ICO regulated. You are protected by independent oversight at every stage of your sale.
Over a decade of experience buying properties across England, Scotland, and Wales — in any condition and any circumstance.
We explain precisely how your offer is calculated. No hidden deductions after the fact — full transparency from the very first call.
Our team is available around the clock. Call 0800 068 7935 free at any time — no automated menus.
Property Auctions & Springbok Properties — Everything You Need to Know
No. Springbok Properties is a regulated UK property buyer, not an auction house. We do not list, market, or auction properties. Instead, we buy directly using our own funds, with over 19,000 successful transactions since 2012. If you are considering an auction, this guide explains how auctions work so you can compare both options honestly.
At a traditional auction, contracts exchange the moment the hammer falls and the buyer must complete within around 28 days, which limits bidding to cash buyers. The Modern Method of Auction runs online: the winning bidder pays a non-refundable reservation fee and then has up to 56 days to complete, so mortgage buyers can take part. Both routes involve seller fees and neither guarantees a sale if the reserve price is not met.
Auctions genuinely suit properties likely to attract competitive bidding from cash investors: development land and building plots, unmortgageable residential buildings, and commercial or mixed-use investments. For most ordinary residential homes, a direct sale is usually faster and more certain, and it avoids seller fees. Remember that auction fees generally still apply even if your property does not sell.
Nothing. There is no commission, no listing fee, and no legal costs — we cover conveyancing in full. This compares with typical auction costs of 2–3% plus VAT in commission, along with entry fees and the cost of preparing a legal pack, which sellers usually pay whether or not the property sells.
Cash Sale™ means Springbok buys your property directly using our own cash funds, with no mortgage lender and no chain. Completion typically takes 7 to 21 days, and you choose the date that suits you. It is designed for sellers who value a guaranteed, fast completion above all else, in any condition and any situation.
Fast Cash™ is designed for sellers who need to move out within days. You can vacate in as little as 3 days, and Springbok takes over maintenance and holding costs from day one. It suits situations such as immediate repossession risk, urgent relocation, or a financial emergency that needs resolving straight away, with zero fees and a fully managed process.
Fixed Price™ is for sellers who want close to full market value — up to 95% — while keeping speed and certainty. The buyer pays a mandatory reservation deposit, which protects you against the fall-throughs common with estate agent sales and auctions. The price is agreed in writing upfront, completion typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, and all legal costs are covered.
Yes. Springbok Properties is a member of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), registered with The Property Ombudsman, and ICO regulated. We hold a 4.4 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from over 11,700 independent reviews, and have completed more than 19,000 sales since 2012.
Join 19,000+ homeowners who sold their property the fast, fair, and fee-free way — no auction house required
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