Selling Your Home Quickly Without A Realtor

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by your current housing situation? Whether you are dealing with a pending foreclosure, inherited a fixer-upper, getting a divorce, or simply have a house that needs a lot of work done to it, there are times when all you want to do is sell your home quickly.

We understand the stress and confusion of making the best decision for you and your family. Should you use a realtor which will likely be a much longer sales process and cost more or a business that buys houses in any condition and buys them for cash?

To work out which option is best for your circumstance, this article covers the usual real estate selling process and the other option of selling your home quickly without a realtor.

Selling Quickly Without A Realtor

Is it safe to sell your home to investors that buy houses for cash?

Thomas Myers, a local investor in Denver Colorado says: “selling your home to an investor that’s actively buying houses for cash is generally safe for the average home seller”.

How so? Investors buying homes for cash usually have no intention of occupying the property. Investors buy properties in any condition, renovate them and either sell them i.e. flip or hold for the rental income.

Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware

If you’ve seen a business that buys houses for cash – do your research on them and their competitors. The term for this due diligence is called caveat emptor or buyer beware.

You can start off by doing a quick Google search for something like, real estate investors in my area to find an investor or business that can buy your house in it’s current condition.

Reviews and references

Don’t hesitate to ask for references and most businesses now use google reviews too, which is a reliable way to gauge the professionalism of the business you may sell your house to.

Why sell quickly?

Quick Sale

If you need to sell your home swiftly due to financial hardship or a looming foreclosure or your home needs too much work done on it, them using a professional legitimate business to buy it quickly makes sense.

Cash Offers

Cashed up property investors typically pay in cash, eliminating the uncertainty and potential complications of loan financing.

As-Is Purchase

Investors usually buy homes in their current condition, relieving the homeowner of the burden and expense of making repairs or upgrades.

No Need for Showings

When selling to an investor, you can avoid the hassle and inconvenience of staging your home and scheduling multiple showings.

Flexibility in Terms

Many investors and quick home sale businesses can offer flexible terms such as leaseback agreements or delayed closing dates, which can be beneficial in certain scenarios.

Calculating a Quick Sale

How do businesses that buy houses for cash calculate the price? Investors aim for profit, and as such, they may offer less than the market value of your property. This could result in a significant loss, especially if your home has considerable equity.

Determining how much an investor will pay for a property hinges on several factors including:

• condition and market value
• location
• repairs or renovations
• holding costs
• property taxes

You can expect an investor or business that buys houses for cash to typically offer a price lower than the current market value to ensure a profit after resale.

However, the exact amount varies significantly from investor to investor and property to property, making it essential for homeowners to conduct their own research and negotiations to secure a fair deal.

Example

Let’s consider a practical example to illustrate how an investor may calculate an offer for a house.

Suppose there’s a house in a desirable neighborhood, and its current market value is estimated to be $300,000. The house requires around $40,000 in repairs to make it marketable and attractive to potential home buyers.

The investor also factors in holding costs, such as insurance, utilities, and property tax for the six months they plan to hold onto the property, amounting to an additional $10,000.

Lastly, the investor also accounts for a 10% cost of capital, which would be $30,000 in this case. Consequently, the investor would sum up these costs ($40,000 in repairs, $10,000 in holding costs, and $30,000 cost of capital) totaling $80,000.

The investor would subtract this total from the current market value of the house ($300,000 – $80,000), resulting in a potential offer of $220,000 for the property.

This calculation ensures the investor retains a profit margin when the renovated house is sold back in the market.

Challenges With A Quick Sale

No Personal Touch

Unlike traditional home buyers who may form an emotional connection with your property, investors consider it from a purely business perspective, which can feel impersonal.

Scams and Unethical Practices

There are some unscrupulous investors who might take advantage of homeowners, especially those in desperate situations. Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly vet any potential investor.

No Real Estate Agent

When dealing directly with an investor, you might not have a real estate agent on your side to guide you through the process and ensure you’re getting a fair deal.

Rapid Transactions

The quick-selling process might not provide you with enough time to secure your next place of residence, potentially leaving you in a difficult position.

Using A Realtor

Most homeowners prefer to use a real estate agent. If you’ve got time on your side consider hiring a real estate agent to guide you through the process. They can provide valuable insights, market your property, and negotiate the sales price on your behalf.

Valuation

Real estate agents also provide a property valuation. You then work with your real estate agent to determine the optimal listing price. An accurate price will attract more potential buyers and you’ll see your home for what it is worth on the open market – i.e. what a homebuyer is will to pay for it.

Marketing

Your real estate agent will create a property listing that includes high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and relevant information about your home. You’ll want to make sure your home is clean, maintenance and repairs have been done and you have decluttered it so it appeals to prospective homebuyers without your stuff getting in the way.

There will be open homes and many homeowners will stage their home so prospective homebuyers can envisage living in the home.

The process of selling your home through a realtor is lengthy and more invasive, however your property will sell for the market value.

Negotiation

Real estate agents manage the negotiation for you and they aim to get the best price.

Fees

There are fees to pay from the sale price including realtor commission.

Final Words

When you decide to sell your property fast, either with a business that buys homes for cash or through a realtor, you will need to complete additional steps including signing documents and transferring ownership.

When buying or selling a home, seek legal and financial advice so you make an informed decision that is right for you and your family.