Few experiences bring more anxiety than the sudden need to sell a house fast. For most buyers, a house is a major purchase they can’t just rush into without assistance from a lender.
Cash house buyers are different. When you find buyers who can pay cash, you gain the option to quickly get rid of a property with little hassle.
Here’s a quick guide to selling your home for cash.
What is a Cash Buyer?
There is no actual cash in a cash real estate transaction. It’s actually illegal to use cash to buy real estate.
Cash house buyers don’t need financing to buy a home. Instead, they use their own source of certified funds.
There are two types of cash house buyers. The first includes individuals who may or may not be real estate investors.
The second type is a house buying company. Businesses that are real estate investors looking to profit from a discounted price on a home.
Individuals who are not real estate investors plan to live in the home. The benefit of dealing with these buyers is that they have an emotional investment in the property.
This might mean negotiating a higher sales price if they fall in love with the home. Either type of buyer is beneficial to getting your home sold relatively quickly.
Finding Cash House Buyers
Most people require financing to buy a house. Finding a cash house buyer can seem like finding a diamond in the rough.
But with the right marketing of your property, you can attract cash buyers who want to close immediately. The key is understanding how to market an all-cash offer.
Price
The first step in marketing an all-cash offer is setting the price. The price is the most important factor in establishing an all-cash transaction.
Most traditional lenders have a minimum dollar amount they will finance. Any real estate purchase under this price point is considered a cash price.
By listing your home below the minimum financing amount, you automatically limit your potential customers to all-cash buyers. Research the top lenders in your area and their minimum financing requirements.
Set your price below this price point to begin attracting only cash buyers. Expect the price to be very low.
You won’t get market rates with an all-cash offer. The goal is to quickly move the property, not get maximum profits.
Only in rare situations do cash offers come close to market values for real estate.
Advertising
Once you’ve set a price for an all-cash offer, it’s time to let the public know about your deal.
Advertise for free by telling friends and family about selling your property. Word of mouth can bring trusted contacts to the table willing to help because of your need.
Post your deal to social media with keywords that allow people to search for your content. Share features allow friends to share your listing instantly maximizing exposure for your property.
Reply to ‘We Buy Houses’ advertisements you see around town. These ads are usually placed by investors with connections in their local real estate community.
If the investors aren’t interested in your deal, ask for referrals. A local real estate investors association is a good source for leads on cash buyers.
Most associations host events throughout the year where you can take classes and network. Present your deal before and after meetings to investors you meet.
Most of these strategies are low to no cost. If you have a budget for paid advertising, here are a few ways to promote:
- Lawn Signs
- Local real estate publications
- Online housing search websites
- Paid social
There’s no wrong channel to get the word out about your deal. Buyers can come from anywhere.
The best way to find out which method works for your property is to put it out there.
Realtor
Realtors aren’t needed for all cash transactions. But consulting with a realtor can offer lots of marketing and legal benefits.
Realtors understand purchase contracts in ways you can’t navigate on your own. They also know the lingo investors search when looking for a home.
The key is finding a realtor with investor experience. If a realtor has never sold a distressed property, move on to the next.
Closing with Cash
The all-cash closing process is much different than traditional transactions. The average closing time for a financed property is 30 days.
Without the added paperwork of a lender, cash purchases are more direct and the closing time shorter. Cash sales have been known to close in as little as two weeks.
This time frame is just long enough for title and escrow services to clear liens and get insurance. The closing time can certainly be longer if it works best for your deal.
Here are the steps to closing on an all-cash real estate transaction:
1. Get the Contract Signed
When a buyer makes a cash offer, it’s done in the form of a sales and purchase contract. The details of the contract outline the purchase terms, closing time and agreed price.
Once the purchase contract is signed, you cannot accept another cash offer on the home unless the buyer defaults or it expires. Always ask that the buyer sends over proof of funds to avoid getting tied up in a bad deal.
The proof of funds shows they have the cash on hand to buy the property in full.
2. Establish Title and Escrow Services
Many real estate investors have title and escrow companies they work with. These companies are critical to moving the closing process forward.
Hire them early in the process to avoid delays in closing. They ensure the home has a clear title with title insurance. The escrow company is the middleman when it comes to finances.
They transfer funds between you and the buyer during the sales transaction.
3. Pass Home Inspection
Some buyers will want a guarantee the home they are buying is profitable. If a home inspection contingency is included in your contract, your property must pass before closing.
4. Sign Legal Documents
Once all parties are in agreement about the home inspection, the buyer and seller have documents to sign to firm up the transaction.
Bring keys to the property, a government ID and property deed to closing, if available. These items help close out the deal without added errands after closing.
The Ultimate Relief
Selling your home in distress is easier when you find cash house buyers fast. These buyers are seasoned in real estate investments which means they’re more likely to have closing documents at the ready.
Always consult with a real estate attorney or realtor to navigate the laws in your state. Online articles are a good first step in understanding the landscape, but these pros can keep your property from future legal battles.
To get access to our network of cash buyers, please contact us today.