Guides, tips, and insight to help you sell your house quickly and confidently.
Visit our blog
Guides, tips, and insight to help you sell your house quickly and confidently.
Visit our blogExplain that selling a house at auction means instructing an auction house, agreeing a guide and reserve price, paying an entry fee, and commissioning a legal pack before marketing. At a traditional auction the sale is binding on the fall of the hammer; with the Modern Method of Auction the winning bidder pays a reservation fee and completes within roughly 56 days. Both can be faster than a six-to-nine-month estate agent sale — but the seller carries the fees, the price stays uncertain until bidding closes, and a property that misses its reserve simply doesn't sell.
State that Springbok does not auction properties — it is a direct cash buyer offering three fast routes that give sellers the same speed and certainty without those drawbacks.
Traditional auction = unconditional: contracts exchange on the fall of the hammer and the buyer must complete (usually 28 days). MMoA = conditional: the winning bidder pays a reservation fee, then has ~28 days to exchange and a further ~28 to complete (~56 days total).
With MMoA the buyer pays a non-refundable reservation fee — often around 4–5% of the purchase price (subject to a minimum) — to secure the property. It is retained if the buyer withdraws.
MMoA is operated by specialist auction providers (most prominently iamsold), usually in partnership with high-street estate agents. It is not something Springbok offers.
Unlike traditional auction, MMoA buyers can be relying on a mortgage, which widens the buyer pool; the reservation fee filters out non-serious bidders.
The honest, differentiating insight. A buyer who must pay a 4–5% non-refundable fee on top of the purchase price has less to offer for the property itself — so that fee, in practice, depresses the bids and reduces what the seller receives. The seller may also still face their own legal pack and entry costs depending on the arrangement. So while MMoA feels free to the seller, the economics quietly work against them.
| Feature | Modern Method of Auction | Springbok Fixed Price™ |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | ~56 days | 4 to 8 weeks |
| What secures the buyer | Non-refundable reservation fee paid on top of price | Reservation deposit that forms part of the purchase |
| Effect on your price | Buyer fee suppresses bids — lowers your net | Targets up to 95% |
| If the buyer withdraws | Buyer loses their fee; you re-market | Springbok provides a backup cash offer |
| Seller fees | Possible legal/entry costs; price impact of buyer fee | £0 — all legal and survey costs covered |
| Price certainty | Unknown until bidding ends | Agreed up front |
Frame Fixed Price™ as the route for sellers drawn to MMoA's buyer-commitment but unwilling to let a buyer fee erode their price:
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
Freephone 24/7 Call: 0800 068 4015
