How to Sell Your House Online in the UK: A 2026 Guide

Thinking of selling your house?

The days of trudging down to your local high street estate agent are long gone. Today, more homeowners than ever are turning to the internet to sell their property – and for good reason.

They’re looking for more speed. More control. And frankly, a better deal.

But here’s the thing: The traditional property market is still painfully slow. We’re talking an average of over six months to find a buyer and complete a sale. That’s half a year of viewings, negotiations, and nail-biting uncertainty about whether your buyer will actually follow through.

And let’s not even get started on broken chains.

So what are your options?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the three main ways you can sell your house online in the UK. We’ll break down the pros, cons, costs and timelines for each method – helping you decide which path actually makes sense for your situation.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Using an online estate agent
• Listing your property on platforms like eBay
• Selling directly to a cash house buyer

Let’s dive in.

Option 1: Using an Online Estate Agent

What Exactly Is an Online Estate Agent?

Think of it as the digital-first version of your traditional high street agent.

Instead of paying a percentage commission (typically 1-2% of your sale price), you pay a fixed fee upfront. They’ll then list your property on all the major portals – like Rightmove and Zoopla.

Sounds brilliant, right?

Well, there’s a catch. Actually, there are several.

How Does It Actually Work?

Here’s the typical process:

Step 1: You choose a package. Basic listings start around £999, whilst premium packages with bells and whistles can hit £1,500 or more.

Step 2: You pay upfront. And here’s the kicker – this fee is usually non-refundable. Even if your house doesn’t sell! Compare this to a traditional estate agent who only gets paid if they successfully sell.

Step 3: The online estate agent arrangse for photos, a valuation, and sometimes a floor plan. Quality varies wildly depending on which company you choose.

Step 4: Your property goes live on the major portals.

Step 5: Here’s where it gets interesting. With most online agents, you are responsible for conducting your own viewings. That’s right – you become the salesperson.

The Pros (Because There Are Some)

Lower costs are the main draw.

On a £250,000 house, a traditional agent charging 1.5% would pocket £3,750. An online agent? 

You’re looking at around £1,000-£1,500.

That’s a potential saving of over £2,000.

You also get more control over the process. You manage viewings on your schedule. You negotiate directly with buyers. Some people love this hands-on approach.

The Cons (And Why They Matter)

But here’s what they don’t tell you in the glossy adverts:

You pay whether you sell or not.

Think about that for a moment. You could spend £1,500, have your house on the market for six months, and end up with nothing to show for it except a lighter wallet.

You become an unpaid estate agent.

Remember those viewings we mentioned? That’s you showing strangers around your home. Evenings. Weekends. Bank holidays. And you need to be good at it – you’re essentially selling your biggest asset.

The “local expert” problem is real.

Online agents often cover huge areas. The person valuing your property in Manchester might be based in London. They might not know that your street is in a sought-after school catchment area, or that a new transport link is about to make your postcode far more desirable.

This lack of local knowledge can lead to inaccurate valuations.

There’s still no guarantee of a sale.

You’re on the open market, just like with a traditional agent. Chains can still collapse. Buyers can still pull out at the last minute. The average sale still takes months.

Service quality is a lottery.

Some online agents are excellent. Others? Not so much. The photos might be terrible. The listing description might be generic. And when things go wrong, getting support can be like pulling teeth. You’re also on the hook for costs like your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

What’s an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives your property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It’s a legal requirement to have one before you can market your property for sale in the UK. You can check if your property already has a valid EPC on the government’s online register.

Option 2: Listing Your House on eBay

Yes, You Can Actually Sell Your House on eBay

It sounds mad, doesn’t it?

But people do it. And before you dismiss it as completely bonkers, let’s look at how it actually works.

First things first: you’re not auctioning your house like a vintage teapot. Your property gets listed as a “Classified Ad” in eBay’s Property section. It’s essentially an advert, not a legally binding sale.

How Does the eBay Route Work?

Step 1: You create a listing in the “Property” category. You’ll need decent photos, a compelling description, and bags of patience.

Step 2: You pay a one-off classified ad fee – currently £35 for a 28-day listing. That’s it. No commission, no percentage fees.

Step 3: Interested parties contact you directly through eBay’s messaging system.

Step 4: Here’s the crucial bit – any sale still goes through the standard legal process. You’ll need solicitors, contracts, the whole nine yards. Just like any other private sale. If you need to find a solicitor, The Law Society has a free search tool.

The Pros (They’re Limited, But They Exist)

Massive audience

eBay gets millions of visitors daily. Your property could be seen by buyers from London to Lagos. If you’re selling something unusual – a renovation project, a plot of land, or a quirky property that needs the right buyer – this exposure can be gold dust.

Rock-bottom costs

At £35, it’s the cheapest way to advertise your property online. Full stop.

Complete control.

Every aspect of the sale is in your hands. The photos, the description, the price, the negotiations – it’s all you.

The Cons (And There Are Plenty)

It’s not legally binding

An “offer” on eBay means absolutely nothing in property terms. It’s just someone saying “I’m interested.” They could ghost you after that.

Time-wasters galore

The platform attracts dreamers, tyre-kickers, and people who think they can get your £300,000 house for £50,000. You’ll spend hours filtering through nonsense enquiries.

Zero support

No valuation help. No professional photography. No guidance on pricing. No hand-holding through the legal process. You’re completely on your own.

Trust issues

Let’s be honest – buyers are naturally wary of such an unconventional method. “Why are they selling on eBay?” they’ll wonder. “What’s wrong with it?”

This suspicion can put off the more serious buyers.

It’s still slow.

Found a buyer? Brilliant. Now you’re looking at the standard 3-6 months for conveyancing. The eBay bit might be quick, but the actual sale? Same old story.

Option 3: Selling Directly to a Cash House Buyer

What’s a Cash House Buyer?

Here’s where things get interesting.

A cash house buyer is a professional company that purchases your property directly from you. 

No estate agents. No viewings. No waiting around for months.

They buy your house. With cash. Fast.

Companies like Property Rescue specialise in this. We are regulated, legitimate house buying businesses that offer homeowners a completely different route to selling. 

And for many, it’s a game-changer.

How Does Cash Buying Actually Work?

The process is refreshingly simple:

Step 1: Get Your Offer

You provide your details online or over the phone. With a company like us, you can get a free, no-obligation cash offer within hours. Not weeks. Hours.

Step 2: Accept (Or Don’t)

Like the offer? Great. Not quite right? No problem – there’s zero obligation.

Step 3: Choose Your Timeline

This is the key difference.

You are in control.

Need to sell in a hurry? A sale can be completed in as little as 7 days. Got more time? We work to your schedule. Our typical purchase time is 28 days, but we can exchange contracts in 48 hours for urgent cases and give you a cash advance while we wait for completion, if needed.

Step 4: Get Paid

On your chosen completion date, the cash lands in your bank account. Done.

The Pros (And They’re Significant)

Speed is the headline act

Whilst the open market takes months, a cash buyer can complete in days or weeks. We’re talking about turning your property into cash faster than most people can arrange a mortgage valuation.

Certainty changes everything

The sale is guaranteed. There are no chains to collapse. No buyers getting cold feet. No mortgage rejections at the eleventh hour.

When a reputable cash buyer says they’ll buy your house, they buy your house.

Zero fees

This is huge.

We pay your legal fees. There are no estate agent commissions. No listing fees. No EPC costs. Nothing.

Compare that to the thousands you’d spend on the traditional route.

Any condition means ANY condition.

Damp? No problem. Needs a new roof? We’ll still buy it. Japanese knotweed in the garden? Not an issue.

You don’t need to spend a penny on repairs, redecorating, or even a deep clean. We’ll take it as it stands.

Complete privacy

No “For Sale” board announcing your business to the neighbours. No strangers traipsing through your bedroom. No endless viewings disrupting your life.

It’s discreet, confidential, and hassle-free.

The Con (Because There Is One)

Let’s be completely transparent here.

The offer will be below the full market value.

This is the trade-off. In exchange for speed, certainty, and a fee-free service, cash buyers typically offer around 80% of what you might achieve on the open market.

Why?

Because we’re taking on all the risk, all the costs, and all the effort. We’re guaranteeing your 

sale when nothing else is guaranteed in the property world.

Who Is This Perfect For?

This option is a lifeline for homeowners who:

Need to stop repossession. When the bank’s breathing down your neck, waiting six months for a traditional sale isn’t an option. Selling your house quickly means you can cash out and pay the lender off before they take legal action. If you’re facing this, organisations like Citizens Advice can offer free guidance.

Are going through divorce or separation. Sometimes you just need to move on quickly and split the assets.

Have inherited a property. Especially one that’s miles away or needs work before it can be sold.

Are relocating for work. When that dream job comes up, you can’t always wait for the property 

market.

Have had their chain collapse. You’ve found your perfect home, but your buyer’s pulled out. A fast cash sale can save the day.

Simply value certainty over maximum price. Sometimes, knowing exactly what you’ll get and when you’ll get it is worth more than squeezing out every last pound.

Which Online Selling Option Is Best for You?

Let’s put it all side by side:

The differences are stark, aren’t they?

The Bottom Line: Take Control of Your Sale

Selling your house online gives you more choices than ever before.

If your priority is saving on fees and you’ve got months to spare, an online agent could work. You’ll need patience, time for viewings, and a bit of luck with the market.

If you want rock-bottom advertising costs and maximum exposure – and you’re prepared to manage absolutely everything yourself – eBay is an option. Just be ready for the time-wasters.

But here’s the thing:

If your priority is speed, certainty, and a guaranteed sale with zero stress or fees, then selling directly to a cash house buyer is the clear choice.

No viewings. No chains. No fees. No uncertainty.

Get your free cash offer from Property Rescue now and see how simple selling your house can actually be.