Been offered too little for a property that needs work? There's a better route.
An assisted sale lets us refurbish your property at our cost, sell it for its true market value, and split the uplift with you. Most sellers walk away with tens of thousands more than a typical cash offer — without paying a penny upfront.
You've probably already heard this from a cash buyer:
You know the property's worth more. With a proper refurb it could sell for £140,000 or £150,000. But you don't have £30,000 sitting around. You don't have time to project-manage trades. You can't get a refurb mortgage because the property isn't habitable. And the longer it sits empty, the more it costs you in council tax, insurance, and stress.
So the cash offer starts to feel like the only option — even though it leaves £40,000 to £60,000 on the table that should be yours.
An assisted sale is the alternative most cash buyers don't tell you about — because they make less money when you take it.
An assisted sale, step by step.
No technical jargon. No surprises. A clear, transparent process you stay in control of throughout.
You agree to the assisted sale
We jointly value the property two ways: "as-is" today and "after refurb" market value. We agree the refurb budget, timeline, and how the uplift is split. Everything's in writing before any work starts.
We fund and project-manage the refurb
We pay for the work. We organise the trades — plumbers, electricians, joiners, decorators we already use. We get building warrants, certifications, the Home Report. You don't lift a finger.
The property sells at market value
Once refurbished, we sell — on the open market via Rightmove and Zoopla, or off-market to our investor database if speed matters. Either way, we aim for full market value.
Costs come off the top, uplift is split
From the final sale price: your agreed "as-is" price, the refurb costs we paid, and selling fees are deducted. What's left is the uplift — split according to the percentage agreed in step 1.
You get paid
You receive your agreed "as-is" price plus your share of the uplift. Significantly more than any cash buyer would have offered — and you didn't touch a paintbrush.
A worked example — how the numbers stack up.
2-bed ex-council mid-terrace, G42 postcode. Inherited after bereavement. Family had been offered £85,000 cash and were close to accepting.
Cash offer route
| Cash offer received | £85,000 |
| Legal fees, costs | £0 (buyer paid) |
| Family received | £85,000 |
Assisted sale route (how the numbers work)
| Refurbished sale price | £147,500 |
| Less: agreed "as-is" price to family | −£85,000 |
| Less: refurb costs (kitchen, bathroom, rewire, decorate) | −£28,000 |
| Less: selling fees, Home Report, legals | −£6,500 |
| Uplift to split | £28,000 |
| Family's share (50%) | £14,000 |
| Clyde Housebuyers' share (50%) | £14,000 |
| Family received in total | £99,000 |
£14,000 more than the cash offer — without spending a penny or lifting a finger.
Illustrative example for educational purposes — not a real client or completed sale. Every property is different — your numbers will vary depending on condition, location, refurb scope, and the split we agree. We'll model your specific property before you commit to anything.
Is an assisted sale right for you?
It's a great fit for some properties and the wrong fit for others. We'll tell you straight.
Likely a good fit if…
- Your property needs cosmetic or moderate work (£10k–£50k of refurb)
- It's in an area where refurbished value clearly justifies the spend
- You can wait 8–16 weeks for completion
- You've been offered a cash price that feels too low
- You don't have the cash, time, or appetite to refurb it yourself
- You want a fairer share of the property's true value
Probably not the right fit if…
- You need cash in your account within 4 weeks
- The property is already in good condition (no uplift available)
- The location has limited resale demand even after refurb
- You'd rather have certainty over the higher figure
- You're facing repossession in weeks (speed matters more)
If any of these apply, our cash purchase route is probably the better fit. We'll tell you which makes more sense.
How we make sure you can't lose.
The number-one question we hear: "How do I know you won't run up the refurb costs and leave me with nothing?" Fair question. Here's how that can't happen.
Your minimum payout is locked in writing
Before any work starts, we sign a formal written agreement (drafted by Scottish solicitors and secured by a standard security registered against the property) that guarantees your agreed "as-is" price. That figure is protected regardless of what happens with the refurb or final sale.
The refurb budget is capped
We agree a maximum refurb spend before work begins. Cost overruns come out of our share of the uplift — never yours.
Independent legal representation
You use your own Scottish solicitor — not one we suggest. They review every document, hold the title until completion, release funds to you.
Full transparency on costs and sale
You see every invoice. You see the final sale price. You see the conveyancing statement showing exactly how the uplift was calculated. Nothing behind closed doors.
Backstop clause: if it doesn't sell, we buy it
In the unlikely event the refurbished property doesn't sell within an agreed window, we buy it from you at the agreed "as-is" price. You're never left holding a refurbished property you didn't choose to keep.
Three routes compared, side by side.
No route is universally best. Here's how to think about which suits your property.
| Cash sale | Assisted sale | Estate agent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you receive | ~75–85% of market value | Closer to full market value | Full market value (if it sells) |
| Timeline | 14–28 days | 8–16 weeks | 3–9 months (no guarantee) |
| Property condition | Any | Needs work to unlock uplift | Must be marketable as-is |
| You pay for refurb | No | No — we fund it | Yes — out of pocket |
| You pay fees | £0 | £0 upfront | 1–3% agent + legal |
| Certainty | Guaranteed sale | Guaranteed minimum payout | No guarantee |
| Viewings, hassle | None | None — we handle it | Many — ongoing disruption |
Questions sellers ask us about assisted sale.
Who actually owns the property during the refurb?
You do. The title doesn't transfer to us until the final sale completes. We work on the property under a formal written agreement drafted by Scottish solicitors — secured by a standard security registered against the property — that gives us the right to manage the refurb and sell on your behalf, and to recover our refurb costs from the sale proceeds. But you remain the legal owner throughout.
What's the typical split between you and the seller?
It depends on the project's risk and scale. For straightforward cosmetic refurbs, splits are often 60/40 or 50/50 in the seller's favour. For heavy structural work where we carry more risk, splits move closer to 50/50 or 40/60. We model the numbers transparently before you commit — and you can walk away if the split doesn't suit you.
What happens if the refurb costs more than expected?
We absorb it. The refurb budget is capped at the figure we agree before work starts. Unexpected issues — dry rot, structural problems, failed inspections — are our risk to manage, not yours. Your minimum payout is unchanged.
What if the refurbished property sells for less than expected?
You still receive your full agreed "as-is" price. The uplift just ends up smaller — and your share of a smaller uplift is smaller too. But you can never receive less than your guaranteed minimum, regardless of the final sale price.
Can I still live in the property during the refurb?
Usually not — most assisted-sale properties are empty or being inherited. If you're still living there, we'd typically suggest a cash purchase instead, since refurbing around an occupied home rarely works well.
How long does the whole process take?
From signing to money in your account, typically 8–16 weeks. Roughly: 2 weeks for legals and planning, 4–10 weeks for refurb depending on scope, then 2–4 weeks to sell and complete.
Do I need a Home Report?
Yes — every Scottish property sale needs one. We pay for and arrange the Home Report for the post-refurb sale. You don't need to organise or pay for it.
What happens if I change my mind partway through?
You can walk away before work starts at no cost. Once the refurb is underway, we'd need to recover our costs from you if you want to keep the property — that's standard. We don't lock people in, but we do need to protect ourselves once we've spent money on your property.
How is this different from a property developer just buying my house?
A developer pays you the "as-is" price and keeps 100% of the uplift. With an assisted sale, you keep a share — typically tens of thousands more than a developer would pay. You're effectively partnering with us on the project rather than selling to us cheap.
Is an assisted sale taxed differently?
Your share is treated the same as any property sale. If it's not your main residence, Capital Gains Tax may apply. We're not tax advisors — a quick conversation with an accountant is worth having. For most inherited properties sold within a reasonable timeframe, the tax treatment is straightforward.
Want to know what your property could be worth with an assisted sale?
Free valuation, free modelling, free advice on whether it's the right route. No pressure, no obligation, no fees.