Perhaps you've experienced first-hand the recent downturn in the property market and if so, the concept of a guaranteed property sale might sound confusing. If that's the case, then it's likely that nobody has taken time to tell you all about quick home sales.

Quick home sales aren't anything new but up until very recently, homeowners haven't needed any help selling their homes. All they had to do was name their price, post a ?For Sale? board on the property, and oftentimes within just hours, most were busy signing contracts with anxious buyers.

But nowadays homes for sale languish on the market, compounding all sorts of problems for those homeowners trying to sell.

If you need to move and can no longer afford to wait for someone to come along and offer the best possible price for your property, then a quick home sale is an option worth considering.

The process goes like this:

First you find a reputable company that specializes in quick home sales. This is probably the most important step because many such companies don't have the seller's best interests in mind.

Once found, you can then expect the quick home sales specialist to offer to buy your home ? for cash ? for anywhere between 70 to 85% of the price you can realistically expect to receive on the open market.

If you agree to the selling price, a contract is created just as it normally would be. In most cases the entire transaction can be finalized in just a few weeks. Plus you usually can choose your move-out date to coincide with the needs of your own personal and/or financial situation.

Depending upon the company with whom you chose to conduct business, you may be required to assume responsibility for the surveyor's valuation and/or solicitor's fees.

That's really all there is to it. Now before you start shunning the idea of being paid a price for your property you feel is less than adequate, consider this:

? How many serious offers on your property have you received so far?

? How much of the proceeds will you have to pay an estate agent who may or may not be able to sell your property?

? How much longer can you afford to make (or miss making) monthly mortgage payments?

? How close are you to losing that home you intend to purchase because you're caught in the property chain?

You have to admit, there is value in knowing with certainty that your property will sell quickly. You're engaging in a service and like any other type of service, there's an associated cost. It's not any more complicated than that.