The Sellers Dilemma: Realtor or Cash Buyer?

When it comes to selling your house, you have a few options. You can work with a real estate agent to list your home on the market, or you can sell to a cash buyer. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, and it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between selling to a cash buyer and using a realtor, so you can make an informed choice.

Selling to a Cash Buyer: Pros and Cons

Selling your house to a cash buyer can be a quick and easy process. Cash buyers are typically investors who have the funds available to purchase your home outright, without the need for financing. This means that the sale can be completed much faster than if you were working with a realtor. Even though a cash buyer may offer a lower price for your home than you would get on the open market, the trade-off is a faster sale with no need for repairs or even cleaning the house.

Selling with a Realtor: Pros and Cons

Selling your house with a realtor can be a great option if you’re looking to get the highest possible price for your home. Realtors have access to a large network of potential buyers and can help you market your home effectively. They can also provide valuable advice on how to stage your home and make it more appealing to buyers. However, working with a realtor can be a slower process than selling to a cash buyer, and you’ll need to pay a commission fee to the realtor. Not only that, most realtors can only get you top dollar if you are willing to spend some money on repairs and clean up.

Timeframe for Selling

One of the biggest differences between selling to a cash buyer versus using a realtor is the timeframe for selling. Selling to a cash buyer can be a much quicker process, as they typically have the funds available to purchase your home immediately. This can be a great option if you need to sell your home quickly, such as if you’re facing foreclosure or need to relocate for a job. However, working with a realtor can take longer, as they’ll need to market your home and find a buyer. This can be a better option if you’re not in a rush to sell and want to get the highest possible price for your home.

Cost of Selling

Another important factor to consider when deciding between selling to a cash buyer or using a realtor is the cost. Selling to a cash buyer may result in a lower sale price for your home, as they typically offer a lower price in exchange for the convenience and speed of the transaction plus you will likely not pay closing costs or realtor fees. A cash buyer is also willing to buy the house in any condition so that you don’t have to spend money on fixing up the house to get a better listing. On the other hand, working with a realtor may result in a higher sale price, even when the closing costs and realtor fees are paid.

Control and Flexibility

One advantage of selling to a cash buyer is the control and flexibility it offers. With a cash buyer, you have more control over the timeline of the sale and can often close the deal faster than with a realtor. Additionally, cash buyers may be more willing to work with you on specific terms of the sale, such as leaving certain items in the home or allowing you to stay in the home for a short period after the sale. However, working with a realtor may offer more flexibility in terms of negotiating the sale price and terms of the contract.

The Bottom Line

It’s never any easy decision when it comes to selling your house, no matter what the reason. But let’s break it all down with this recap on the pros and cons of both paths to getting the best value out of a home sale:

Pros & Cons of Selling to a Cash Buyer

PROS

• Quick and easy process: Cash buyers can close on your home in as little as 10 days, which can be a great option if you need to sell your home quickly.
• No financing required: Cash buyers don’t need to get a mortgage, which means they can move faster and be less likely to back out of the deal.
• No need to clean, make repairs or spend any money on the sale. Cash buyers generally buy your house as-is and only need you to take whatever you plan to keep out of the house prior to closing.

CONS

• Lower price: Cash buyers typically offer a lower price for your home than you would get on the open market. This is because they don’t have to factor in the cost of financing.
• Less flexibility: Cash buyers are less likely to be flexible on the terms of the sale. For example, they may not be willing to let you stay in the home for a few weeks after the sale.
• Potential for scams: There are a number of scams involving cash buyers, so it’s important to do your research and only work with a reputable company.

Pros & Cons of Selling with a Realtor

PROS

• Higher price: Realtors have access to a larger pool of potential buyers, which can lead to a higher sale price.
• More flexibility: Realtors are more likely to be flexible on the terms of the sale, such as the closing date and the price.
• Less risk of scams: Realtors are regulated by the government, which makes it less likely that you’ll be scammed.

CONS

• Slower process: Selling with a realtor can take longer than selling to a cash buyer, as the realtor will need to market your home and find a buyer.
• Higher cost: You’ll need to pay a commission to the realtor, which can eat into your profits. You are also likely to pay closing costs.
• Less control: When you sell with a realtor, you have less control over the terms of the sale.

When you are ready to make the decision, I highly recommend you reach out to a trusted, credible Maryland cash buyer, such as We Buy MD Homes for a FAST, FREE, NO OBLIGATION cash offer. This will at least give you an idea of what your house is worth before you make your final decision. We are BBB A+ Accredited and we will show you exactly how we make our offers.

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Who’s Really Behind “We Buy Houses” Signs?

“WE BUY HOUSES!”

“FAST CASH FOR YOUR HOUSE!”

“SELL YOU HOUSE FOR CASH!”

“SELL YOUR HOUSE IN 10 DAYS!”

How many times have you driven past a corner in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Pikesville or Westminster and seen one of these signs screaming at you? I’ll bet it’s more than twice a day. At every major intersection in the state of Maryland, you see one of those signs. I guarantee it.

Full disclosure: I do buy houses. It’s my business. But I can also assure you that you will NEVER see one of those signs with my phone number on it. It’s not my style.

Does it work for other investors? Absolutely. Is it legitimate? Most of the time.

So if those signs are legitimate, and these folks are investors just like me, then why shouldn’t you call the number?

The answer: CREDIBILITY.

Honestly, would you trust your biggest asset – your home – to someone who just puts a phone number on a sign and attaches it to a pole or light post? Or would you rather trust a local home buyer with a 5-Star Google Rating, a Better Business Bureau A+ Accreditation and a verifiable track record?

A credible, transparent, honest cash home buyer in Maryland does not need to hide behind a nondescript sign and a phone number. It’s that simple.  

Don’t get me wrong. I certainly commend these other Maryland cash home buyers hustling around town, putting up hundreds of signs in the wee hours in the morning. I admire the passion and drive. But again, good luck verifying most of these folks. In fact, many of them are actually out of state investors who pay local folks to put out the signs for them. And when you call the number, you could possibly be talking to someone who’s not even in the country.

If you are like me, you don’t make a commitment to any service professional – doctor, lawyer, mechanic, contractor, etc. without doing an extensive search on the internet. You want to see if they are who they say they are and, most importantly, you want to see what other folks are saying about the quality of their work and their customer service. I do not ever hire a professional or make a consumer purchase without doing my homework.

The best part about dealing with a business like mine is that you can easily find all of the information you need just by typing in a few words on Google.

When you are selling your house, it’s not the same as selling an old sofa on Craigslist or Facebook. You are selling the place where you come home to every night after work, where you raised your children, where you barbequed with your neighbors. And when you are ready to move on, for whatever reason, you want to make sure you are trusting the sale to someone who knows the importance and who knows the neighborhood.

Selling your home should not be taken lightly. And if it’s a situation where you can’t sell it with a realtor, do you really want to entrust the place where you built your life to a phone number you saw on a handwritten road sign?

Here are some situations where you usually can’t sell your home with a realtor for the best result:

Expensive Repairs

Fast Relocation

Tired Landlord

Inherited Property

In any of those situations, you want to deal with a home buyer who has experience in those areas. You won’t find that information on a sign at an intersection. It’s 2022, and having the ability to research businesses is your path to making the right decision when it’s time for you to sell your Maryland house.