Selling a house is a process. It requires several steps to get a buyer to pay the property’s value, especially in cash. Selling a home fast for money also has complications, but nothing is too complicated to accomplish.
There are many reasons a person would want to sell their house fast and for cash. Some of the most common reasons for those who want to get some money fast are after a divorce or the sale of inherited property. No matter your reasons, we prepared a step-by-step guide on how to sell your house quickly for cash.
Is it illegal to sell a house for cash?
Before asking for cash for a house, it is important whether or not you can do it. First, the phrase “cash buyer” is not entirely implicit because it is illegal in the United States to sell a real estate property for physical cash only. The term “cash buyer” means someone who pays for a house without financing. They send all the money with a cashier’s check or over the Internet to fulfill the transaction.
There are two common types of buyers in the market who make cash offers. The first is a person or family who wants to live in the house, and the second is real estate investors.
How to sell a house fast?
If you recently divorced or inherited a house, you probably want to sell your house fast for cash. The important thing to know is that the buying and selling process is not complex if you follow these tips for selling your home:
Tip One: Determine what your home is worth
The value of things is determined by how much a person is willing to pay. But it is possible to establish a standard price that works for both the client and the seller.
If you have doubts about your house’s real value, you could get advice from a real estate agent. This professional can help you determine the real deal through a comparative analysis with other properties on the market. Research homes that have sold recently that may be similar to yours to determine a realistic amount.
Tip two: Define if you will sell it “as is”
After setting the price, evaluate if you want to make some repairs to increase the cost or you will sell it “as is”; this means the seller will not fix any problems if any, and the client will receive it in such conditions.
If you decide to repair some flaws to increase the value, you will slow down the buying process because you will take time to improve the weaknesses. If you want to sell the property quickly, we suggest you avoid all these processes where you have to invest more time and money.
Tip three: Find a buyer
It reads very easy, but it is the most complex step. But, thanks to the Internet, we have several alternatives to find the desired client. Offering your house on Facebook is a great online option to reach many people. We are attending real estate auctions, putting a sign on the house, or hiring a real estate agent. The latter becomes one of the most efficient ways to find a client.
After finding the client, these are the steps that the parties must take:
- Seller and buyer establish an amount for the property
- The seller allows 24 to 48 hours to verify that the buyer has the agreed amount in cash
- The money is transferred to an escrow account until all clauses of the agreement are completed
- Three days are set to do a title search
- They meet on an established day to close the contract and complete the transaction
As you can see, it is not a process completed overnight, but it is much faster than a mortgage as a form of payment.
What is the benefit of selling a house for cash?
Selling a house for cash quickly is not always the ideal alternative for all cases. If you think this is the option for you, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of selling a property for cash:
Advantages
- You can receive several offers at the same time
- The process is faster than a foreclosure sale
- You are not obligated to make any repairs
- You accept fast cash to solve difficult circumstances
- You are not usually inconvenienced
Disadvantages
- The amount to be received is usually less than traditional sales
- No guarantee that the deal will go through
- Lack of repairs and maintenance lowers the price
- Fewer buyers
Frequently Asked Questions about Short Sale Homes
In addition to the above questions, those interested in selling and buying a home may want to know more. For this reason, here are some frequently asked questions that will help you determine if this is a good option for you:
What’s the fastest I can sell my house?
Real estate agents can help you sell a house in 48 to 75 days. If you need to sell in a shorter time frame, consider a cash sale to a direct buyer.
What month is the best to sell a house?
According to U.S. statistics, March and April are the best months to sell a house nationwide. It is important to consider the condition of the local market at the time you decide to sell. Sometimes the forecast is not right for a quick sale. On the contrary, it is estimated that the worst months to offer a home are October and December.
What is the secret to a fast sale of a property?
Real estate experts say the secret lies in the right listing price. In other words, the way to sell faster is to lower the cost of the property.