Use our cash offer comparison tool

Actress Marilyn Monroe once said, “Sometimes good things break down, so better things can come together.” Maybe your life is floating somewhere in the middle of this motto, and now you find yourself realizing, “I need to sell my house quickly.”

You may face an imminent financial deadline, relocation work, emergency moving family members or managing an unwanted inheritance home after a loved one dies.

One of the fastest solutions is to sell to cash buyers, which can close sales in a few days rather than months, giving you speed, certainty and immediate access to funds. In this post, we’ll look at what you can expect, different cash offers comparisons and which routes may make the most sense for your situation.

Can I really sell my home quickly?

With a homebuying company or investor, you can quickly sell your home for cash, usually much faster than traditional buyers. Since cash buyers do not rely on mortgage financing, you will skip waiting periods for lender approval, underwriting and evaluation. In many cases, you can close in just 7 to 14 days.

That is, the exact schedule depends on the buyer. Local investors or companies specializing in “we buy homes” transactions can be very fast. A large ibuyer may take longer, but it is still certain and simplistic compared to the buyer who raises it.

If your top priority is to shut down quickly, cash buyers are usually the most direct way to get there.

“learn more: What are the cash discounts for real estate?

What are my cash sales options?

Not all cash offers are equal. Some companies focus purely on speed, while others compete more closely with the sales of your home on the open market. That’s why it compares the scheme side by side.

To help you know what you are expecting, use the Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator below to see what different types of buyers may pay:

• A “we buy a house” company Buying the house is as it is and does not require repair. These groups often flip the homes in order to make a profit or buy an investment rental property.
• National iBuyer Like Opendoor or Exprapad, offerings can be provided quickly, but usually charges a service fee of about 5% of the offer price. These companies look for homes in good condition and may not operate in all markets.
• Ordinary agent Who can sell your home on MLS at attractive and fast prices or connect you with cash buyers in the network.
• The highest agent With excellent experience, the ratio of high sales lists and deeper connections that may attract stronger cash, you can get closer to market value.

Your results will depend on the condition of your home, location and the buyers you choose to work with. Now try our cash offer comparison calculator to see some rough examples.

“learn more: How much does a house purchase company pay

What is the fastest way to sell my home cash?

As the bullet list and calculator tool above show, if you are looking for speed and certainty, there are several avenues to consider: local investors and “we buy homes” companies, traditional Ibuyers and real estate agents may be able to act quickly.

You may also contact a real estate auction house, which is less common but is sometimes used in distress properties or sellers seeking immediate resolution.

One of the fastest ways to get started without obligation is to use Homelight’s simple sales platform. This online tool connects you with one of the largest networks of trusted cash buyers in the country. You can get all-cash offers within 24 hours and close in just 10 days. You will also see an estimate of what a top agent might be able to get for your home.

This is the simple way to sell

Four simple sales process First enter some details about your home:

“learn more: How to find real estate cash buyers for fast sales

Pros and cons of selling cash

It’s very comforting to sell your home in cash, but it’s important to weigh what you might give up on.

advantage	shortcoming
speed: You can close in a few days instead of months.	Lower price: Cash offers are usually lower than the full market value.
affim: Since the lender is not involved, the transaction is unlikely to pass.	Limited competition: You won’t expose your home to the widest pool of buyers.
convenient: Skip the show, open houses and long negotiations.	Negotiation flexibility is less: Most cash offers are expressed as “take it or leave it.”
No repairs: Many cash buyers will take your home home.	No evaluation benchmark: Selling an export market may leave you without an evaluation record.
Lower cost: Most cash sales reduce or cancel commissions and fees.	Risks of scams: Not every “cash buyer” has credibility.

If the speed and certainty exceed the potential to get a higher price, then cash sales may be correct. But if you want to maximize every dollar, at least compare your options before deciding.

“learn more: We make informed decisions about the pros and cons of buying a home

When does it make sense to sell cash?

Fast cash sale is not the right move for everyone. However, this can be a sensible solution when you are facing an emergency. For example:

• Avoid foreclosure: Fast sales may help you pay off your mortgage and protect your credit in the event of foreclosure.
• Work relocation: If you accept a new job in another city, it is not always possible to wait for the right buyer for months.
• Family members in need: You may have a loved one who needs to move to a care facility or be closer to your family.
• Unneeded inheritance property: You may not have the time or desire to maintain an inherited home.
• Major repairs are required: If your home needs expensive updates, selling cash AS-IS can relieve you of stress and expenses.
• Unexpected changes or crises: Anything that destroys your life plan, such as divorce, crime, disaster or expensive medical incidents.

Facing huge life changes, cash sales are often about peace of mind. If your goal is to eliminate uncertainty and move forward quickly, it may be worth it to accept a lower but guaranteed offer.

“learn more: Should I accept my family’s all-cash offer?

Can agents still help me sell quickly?

Even if you tend to sell for cash, it’s worth noting that top local real estate agents may still speed things up in ways that they can’t be alone. Many agents have a network of investors or buyers willing to pay cash, and they can help you introduce your home in ways that generate stronger offers.

Agents can also recommend pricing strategies to encourage faster prices than average in the open market. In some cases, this may enable you to sell quickly while still capturing more value than a straight “we buy home” offer.

If you want to explore this path, Homelight’s proxy matching platform connects you with the best performing agents in your area who know how to attract cash buyers and sell quickly. While this option may not be as instant as a direct cash offer, it balances speed and better financial results.

Pros and cons of selling with top agents

advantage	shortcoming
Higher returns: Agents can increase contact to attract multiple offers	Sales take longer: Traditional home sales can take weeks or months to close
Expert guidance: Pricing, marketing and negotiation are handled by your agent	Family preparation: You may need to clean, get on stage or do repairs before listing
Larger Buyer Pool: Attract more buyers through MLS and other proxy networks	Keep a display house: You need to prepare multiple walkthroughs
A smoother journey: Agents remove traps and handle complex tasks and paperwork	Real estate broker fee: You need to pay an agency fee (% of the selling price)
Legal protection: You will receive guidance on disclosure laws and fair housing laws	Uncertainty in sales: No guarantee of fast sales, quotation can be passed

“learn more: Should I sell to agents to home investors or lists?

How to avoid scams when selling cash?

The term “cash buyer” can attract legitimate investors and opportunists. To protect yourself, please be aware of red flags:

• Buy puts pressure on you to sign quickly without checking the details.
• No online image, comments or verifiable records built.
• During negotiations, the terms of the offer are vague or sudden changes.
• The quote sounds too good to achieve.

Trusted buyers are transparent, offer clear contracts, and don’t mind whether you spend time looking at paperwork.

Platforms like Homelight Simple Sales provide you with extra security by connecting you with reviewed cash buyers, so you don’t have to worry about scams or waste time.

“learn more: 8 Common Home Buying Scams and How to Discover Them

Which path is right for me?

If you find yourself thinking, “I need to sell my home quickly,” the best option depends on your priorities.

If it’s speed and convenience Located on your list, maximizing returns is not your top priority, and selling to a home buying company or investor is usually the fastest option. For peace of mind, you can find reviewed cash buyers through Homelight’s simple sales platform. You will get quick, no-obligation quotes and certainty for quick closures.

If you are willing to invest more time If there is an opportunity to be at a higher selling price, working with top agents can give you access to cash buyers you can’t reach, as well as pricing strategies designed to move faster than a typical marketplace.

Not sure which direction to take? Use the Family Cash Offer Comparison Calculator above to view what your home can sell according to your method. Then, the offer is made through simple sales requirements and the sales price estimates of the agent. You can see both options in one place before you decide.

“learn more: wait! Read this before selling your home

Title image source: (Chelaxy Designs/Unsplash)