If you’ve been searching for answers about how to sell your house fast in Houston, you might be a bit worried. Prices are up, according to Redfin data, but as buyers struggle with high mortgage rates, fewer homes are selling. And those that do have been taking longer to get there — four days longer than this time last year.
If you’re really in a rush to unload your Houston home, though, don’t despair. Thanks to iBuyers and a wide variety of other homebuying companies that forego traditional market methods, you might be able to get a cash offer as soon as tomorrow. Read on to learn more about how to sell your house fast in Houston, and how much you can expect to make from the sale.
How fast can you sell your home in Houston?
Redfin data shows that homes here spent a median of 48 days on the market in February 2024. That’s not forever, but it’s only the time it took for homes to go into contract. After that, most sellers have to wait for their buyer’s financing to come through before they can close.
Need to sell faster?
If you can’t afford to wait over a month — if you need the proceeds right away, for example, or if you need to relocate in a hurry for work reasons — there are ways to speed up the process.
- Sell to an iBuyer: Houston is a hot market for iBuying: The two biggest names in the biz, Opendoor and Offerpad, both actively purchase homes in the area. Both move very fast, often making all-cash offers within 24 hours, and they can close within a few weeks rather than a few months. But don’t expect a massive payday — these companies typically charge fees for their services and are not likely to offer as much as you might make selling the traditional way.
- Sell to a local homebuying company: There are loads of companies that buy houses for cash in Houston, and these are especially good options if your home is in less-than-perfect condition. Cash homebuyers are looking for deals that they can fix up and turn into a profit via a rental or resale, and like iBuyers, they make fast offers and can close with remarkable speed.
- Be flexible: Work with a real estate agent, explaining that speed is your number-one priority with the sale. If you’re willing to price aggressively, for example, or offer certain concessions, the agent can use their local market expertise to inspire buyers to act fast. And if you’re willing to list as-is, you can forego the time spent haggling back-and-forth over repairs.
Selling your Houston home fast for fair market value
If you’re hoping to sell traditionally, by listing your home on the market, you need to have a good idea of how much it’s worth. A local agent who knows your area, and the ebbs and flows of the Houston housing market, can help you get an accurate sense of its fair market value. Before you list your home for sale, ask yourself — and your agent — these key questions:
- How should you price your listing? The most important part of any home listing is its asking price. Ask your agent for an opinion on the pricing sweet spot that can help your home sell fast — you don’t want it to linger on the market so long that you have to drop your price, like 26.8 percent of Houston homes did in February (per Redfin).
- Is it worth upgrading before you sell? Probably not, especially if your main concern is selling your house fast. Rather than spending time and money on a big renovation that will slow down the sale, try to focus on smaller, quicker projects, like boosting your home’s curb appeal.
- What should you fix before selling? Focus on the issues that might immediately turn off a buyer, such as peeling paint, cracked floorboards, leaky faucets and other visible problems. It’s equally important to know what not to fix to avoid wasting time and money prior to listing your home.
- Should you pay to stage your home? Whether you want to make the place look like the cover of a magazine or you just need some help decluttering and organizing, staging your home can help make it more appealing to buyers.
- What do you need to disclose to the buyer? You’ll have to fill out the Texas seller’s disclosure notice with all your knowledge about any defects in the home, ranging from flood damage to problems with the roof. And if it’s part of a homeowners association, you’ll also need to provide documents pertaining to the HOA’s finances and bylaws.
Closing day
Closing is the magic moment when you’ll officially transfer the property to the buyer and get the proceeds from your sale. However, you’re going to need to budget for a range of closing costs that will eat into your profits. One common expense you won’t have to worry about, though, is real estate transfer tax: This typical state tax doesn’t exist in the Lone Star State. Be ready to cover these costs, though:
- Agent commissions: Though the way Realtor commissions are paid are due to change soon, it will still likely represent the biggest chunk of cash that eats into your profit potential. At least until July 2024, sellers are typically responsible for paying both their own and their buyer’s agent fees, which usually total between 5 and 6 percent of the home’s final purchase price. On a median-priced Houston home, which was $335,000 in February according to Redfin data, 5 percent comes to $16,750.
- Title insurance: In Texas, sellers usually cover the cost of a title insurance policy for the owner. Rates will vary, but it shouldn’t cost more than a couple thousand dollars.
- Prorated property taxes: Property taxes must be paid up until the day ownership of the property is transferred. The same usually goes for HOA dues, if applicable.
- Attorney fees: You aren’t required to hire a real estate attorney to sell a home in Texas — but with so much money at stake, you should. You’ll pay their fee at closing, depending on how much time they spent on your transaction.
- Concessions: If you’ve agreed to any buyer requests for concessions — asking to cover the cost of a needed repair is a common one, for example — those funds will be paid at closing.
Next steps
Trying to sell a home fast can be stressful — especially in a huge market like Houston, where prices and buying activity can look quite different from one part of the city to another. If speed is your top priority, look into a cash-homebuying company. If you’d rather make more money than sell more quickly, find a local agent who can help maximize your profits.
FAQs
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A company that specializes in buying homes for cash can typically make you an offer within 24 hours and close the entire deal within just a few weeks. You’ll skip all the steps of listing the home, hosting open houses, negotiating with buyers and waiting for a lender to approve financing for a buyer — but you’re likely to earn less money than you would in a traditional sale.
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Yes. Plenty of real estate agents will help you focus on speed with your sale. While they won’t likely be able to close a deal as quickly as an iBuyer or cash-homebuying outfit can, they are your best bet at moving as fast as possible while still making as much money as possible on the sale.
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There’s a variety of ways to sell a home. The traditional route involves hiring a professional real estate agent, and between finding a buyer, negotiating the contract and waiting for the financing to come through, it can take quite a while. Even in a popular area like Colorado Springs, Redfin data shows that homes typically spend nearly two months — 54 days — on the market before going into contract.
But if it’s a quicker approach you’re after, you might consider working with companies that proclaim “We buy houses!” These companies are convenient: They typically make all-cash offers on homes in just about any condition, they specialize in closing the sale quickly and they usually take care of all the paperwork, too. That can all be valuable if you need to relocate in a hurry, if the property requires heavy repair work or if you just want to get your money ASAP. But here’s the catch: These firms are not likely to pay full market value for your home. Here’s everything to know about “we buy houses” companies in Colorado Springs.
Types of companies that buy houses for cash in Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs market offers many cash-homebuying options, including a handful of national chains and several smaller, locally owned operations.
National options
Among the national outfits is We Buy Ugly Houses, also known as HomeVestors. The company that goes by the brand name We Buy Houses also operates in Colorado Springs. The process for both is similar: You reach out to them with some basic info about your home, a representative comes to assess the property in person and then they make you a cash offer. Both buy homes in any condition, and both can close the deal within a few weeks.
Local options
There are also local or family-run cash homebuyers working in Colorado Springs, including the following:
- Sell My House Today: This family-run business lets you choose your own closing date and says they can close in as little as 24 hours. Like many cash buyers, they also cover all closing costs.
- Pink Real Estate: Buying as-is homes throughout Colorado Springs, Pink provides cash offers within 24 hours and can close in seven days — or on a date of your choosing.
- Pikes Peak Homebuyers: This company, run by a husband-and-wife team for more than 10 years, also makes quick cash offers on homes in as-is condition and can close within seven days.
- HBR Colorado: There are no commissions, closing costs or fees with this local company. They also purchase properties as-is and can close in around seven days.
iBuyers
Offering a similar business model to “we buy houses” outfits, iBuyers pay cash for your home and close the deal very quickly. However, these companies operate almost entirely online, and they typically do not purchase homes in need of serious repairs. In addition, they might charge steep fees for their services. iBuyers operating in Colorado Springs include two of the biggest players in the industry: Offerpad and Opendoor.
How do ‘we buy houses’ companies work?
The process of selling to a “we buy houses” company is very different from a traditional home listing. It begins with you contacting the company, either by phone, email or online, and providing some basic info about the property. After that, a representative will often visit your home in-person to conduct a walk-through and gauge its condition. Some companies will assess your home remotely, though, conducting research online with no in-person visit. You may also be asked to provide photos of your home.
After this, you can typically expect an offer within 24 hours, though some will take a bit longer and some might make the offer on-the-spot while the representative is there. You’re under no obligation to accept the offer — but don’t take too long in deciding, because it will probably only be valid for a short time.
If you choose to accept the offer, a closing will be arranged, often on a date of your choosing. Since these companies typically buy homes in any condition, you won’t be required to make any repairs, or even to clean up, and there are usually no commissions or fees to pay. However, in exchange for all this convenience, you are paying a price of another sort: The offer you’ll get will almost certainly not be as much as you’d get if you sold the traditional way.
The entire process of selling to a company that buys houses in Colorado Springs — from walk-through to closing day — can often be completed in a matter of two weeks or less. But don’t let yourself feel rushed: Be sure to read the fine print of any offer before you decide to proceed, and don’t sign anything you don’t fully understand.
Alternatives
Selling your home to a “we buy houses” company is convenient, but it’s not your only option. Here are some alternatives:
- Sell with a Realtor: The traditional approach of working with a local real estate agent will take longer, but it’s your best option for maximizing your profits. Redfin data shows that Colorado Springs home prices are on the rise, and nearly 30 percent of listings sold above their list price in February 2024.
- For sale by owner: Selling your home on your own, known as for sale by owner or FSBO, takes a great deal of work. You’ll need to host showings on your own and negotiate a sale price, as well as navigate the closing process. However, doing it yourself means you won’t have to pay a listing agent’s commission.
- Rent it out instead: If you’re not pressed for the immediate cash proceeds of a sale, renting your home is another option worth considering. Taking this approach can be quite lucrative, if you’re willing to be a landlord. According to data from Zillow Rental Manager, houses in Colorado Springs rent for a median of $2,375 per month.
Next steps
Selling your home to a “we buy houses” outfit has its benefits: speed, less hassle, no repairs. But it’s important to weigh your options carefully. A home is most people’s largest asset, and you aren’t likely to get fair market value when selling this way. If you decide to take this approach, try to obtain offers from multiple companies to ensure you’re getting the best price and sale terms possible. And remember, no matter how many offers you get, you’re not obligated to proceed. You can always choose to work with a local real estate agent instead, which will take longer but likely be more profitable in the end.
FAQs
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There are several options to sell your home quickly in Colorado Springs, including both local and nationwide “we buy houses” companies. Two of the biggest iBuyers operate in the market as well, which also provide a speedy approach to selling. Any of these operations will be able to close a deal in a matter of weeks, rather than months — but you won’t make top-dollar from them.
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Yes, most of these companies are legitimate real estate investment firms — they buy homes, renovate them and either resell them for a profit or keep them as rental properties. But it’s still important to do your homework before choosing to work with one. Before you commit to anything, research the company thoroughly, reading online reviews from past customers and checking with your local Better Business Bureau. And be sure to read all the contract details carefully so that you understand what you’re signing on for.
The hottest ticket in Las Vegas for the past few years has been real estate. The pandemic motivated many people to relocate, and plenty of them have landed in Clark County looking for low-cost living in the Southwest sun. Median home-sale prices rose by 11.1 percent between December 2022 and December 2023, according to Redfin data — however, while homes today sit on the market for far less time than they used to, it can still take a while to sell. Before you list your property, read on for everything you need to know about how to sell a house fast in Las Vegas.
How fast can you sell your house in Las Vegas?
Despite its year-round desert climate, Redfin data shows that the Las Vegas housing market follows the same seasonality as the rest of the country: Homes sell faster in the traditional spring/summer homebuying season and slower in winter.
The median number of days Las Vegas homes lingered on the market before selling in December 2023 was 48 — that’s more than a month just to go into contract, not counting the additional time it takes between contract and closing. And if that seems like a long time, consider that in December of 2022 it was a much longer 69 days. But it’s likely to speed up once spring and summer hit.
Need to sell faster?
If you don’t have time to wait that long — for example, if you need the proceeds from the sale immediately, or if you need to relocate ASAP for work reasons — there are ways to speed up the home-sale process. Consider these options:
- iBuyers: iBuying can be a good option for those in a rush to sell. These online companies make quick cash offers and can close the entire deal in just a few weeks — but you’re not likely to get as much money for the sale as you would in a traditional market transaction. Offerpad and Opendoor, the two biggest names in the industry, both buy properties in Las Vegas.
- Cash-homebuying companies: Companies that buy houses for cash move with similar speed. These real estate investment firms are very active in the Vegas area. In fact, nearly 30 percent of home sales in December 2023 were cash transactions, according to data from Las Vegas Realtors.
- Work with a local agent: A real estate agent with local expertise can help you to leverage the unique qualities of your home. They can market your home for speed and help connect you with motivated buyers who are looking to move quickly.
- Sell as-is: An as-is sale tells potential buyers that there will be no negotiations over repairs or other details. This speeds things along by avoiding lengthy back-and-forth conversations.
- Be flexible: A need for speed means remaining open to seller concessions or other compromises that can help to expedite the sale process. This includes pricing your home to sell — an agent can help you set an asking price that’s fair but competitive enough to catch buyers’ eyes and inspire them to bid quickly.
Selling your home fast for fair market value
Working with a trusted real estate agent may mean the transaction moves a bit slower, but it’s the best option if you want to sell for top dollar and capitalize on your home’s market value. Before listing your home, consider these topics with your agent.
Is it worth upgrading your home?
Most major renovation projects will delay your listing — hiring and scheduling a contractor could extend your timeline by weeks or even months. And they typically do not recoup their cost when you sell. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in any home improvements at all. For example, a broken air conditioner in the Las Vegas heat definitely needs fixing before you list. Consult your agent to decide what’s a must-do and what’s a don’t bother.
Should you hire a professional stager?
Staging your home can make your property more appealing to prospective buyers, especially if it’s cluttered with years worth of personal items (or completely empty because you’ve already moved out). A buyer wants to be able to visualize themselves living there — if your agent thinks staging could help, it might be worth the price.
How should you price your listing?
This is the most crucial question to discuss with your agent. Their local expertise can help you determine a list price that is appropriate for your house and current market conditions, and if you want to move quickly they can take that into consideration in the price. A price point that’s low enough to appeal to buyers may help set your property apart and drive a quicker sale.
What do you need to disclose to the buyer?
Home sellers in Nevada are legally required to fill out the state’s “seller’s real property disclosure form.” This is standard in most states and details any known defects or issues with the property. In addition, if you’re part of a homeowners association, you’ll need to disclose all the HOA’s financial info and bylaws for the buyer as well.
Closing day
After you accept an offer, stay focused on fast communication with your attorney and your agent. The buyer’s attorney and agent will likely be making contract revisions and requesting additional information, so responding promptly will help you avoid further delay. Expect to pay some closing costs and related expenses before the transaction is complete. Here are some common closing costs for sellers in Nevada:
- Realtor fees: This represents the biggest chunk of cash that eats into your profit as the seller. Agents’ commission fees typically total between 5 and 6 percent of the home’s sale price. The median sale price in Vegas was $422,000 in December, per Redfin — 5 percent of that comes to more than $20,000.
- Transfer taxes: Clark County, where Vegas is located, charges a transfer tax of $2.55 for every $500 of value. So, if you sell your home for $400,000, the transfer taxes add up to $2,040. However, you might be able to negotiate to split this fee with the buyer.
- Title insurance: Sellers typically pay for the owner’s title insurance policy here, although this too can be up for negotiation. This protects against any potential problems with the home’s title.
- Capital gains taxes: If you stand to make a large profit on the sale, you may owe capital gains tax to the IRS. How much you owe will depend on a few factors, including your marital status and how long you’ve owned the home.
- Attorney fees: While you aren’t required to hire a real estate attorney in Las Vegas, it’s a smart investment. Selling a house involves lengthy contracts, large sums of money and potential liabilities, so a lawyer can make sure you’re protected in the deal.
Find a real estate agent to help you sell your home fast
Working with an experienced local real estate agent can help you maximize your home’s sale price while also moving quickly. If time is of the essence, interview multiple agents to find one who can work on your timeline.
FAQs
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Selling to an iBuyer or cash-homebuying outfit will likely be the fastest method of selling your home in Las Vegas. These companies can close a deal from start to finish in just a few weeks, as opposed to waiting more than a month for your home to go into contract, and then another several weeks (or more) until closing.
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Yes, an agent with expertise in your specific area in Las Vegas can help you price your home competitively based on local market conditions, and make strategic marketing decisions to help the home stand out. However, since you’ll likely have to wait for your buyer’s financing to be approved before you can close, selling directly to an iBuyer or cash-homebuyer will be faster.
Have a home to sell in the Los Angeles area? Good news: Real estate prices here are high and rising, according to recent sales data, so you’re sitting on a valuable asset. However, the pace of sales is slowing, and high mortgage interest rates are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines. Is it possible to not only find a qualified buyer, but speed up the usual process so that you can sell your house in Los Angeles fast as well as turning a nice profit? Read on for all the details on selling in a hurry in L.A.
How fast can you sell your house in Los Angeles?
To figure out how fast you might be able to sell, it helps to first understand a bit about the California housing market, and the sprawling L.A. region specifically.
The Golden State boasts one of the country’s priciest real estate markets, which for you as a seller is both good (larger profits) and bad (fewer buyers who can afford it). According to Redfin data for December 2023, the median sale price in L.A. was $957,000 — higher than the statewide median of $756,800, and much, much higher than the nationwide median of $382,600.
Sky-high prices might explain why it takes a while to sell a home in L.A. The median days on market, or amount of time a home takes to go into contract, is a long 49 days here, per Redfin. That means it’s around a month-and-a-half to secure a buyer, after which you typically have to wait for the buyer’s financing to be approved before you can close.
Given that spring is typically the best time of the year to sell a house, that time frame may speed up as winter fades. But in a place with year-round nice weather like L.A., seasonality may not count for as much as it does in colder-climate cities.
Need to sell faster?
If expediting the sale of your house is a priority — for example, if you need the cash quick, or if you need to relocate in a hurry for work — consider these methods to speed up the process:
- Sell as-is: An as-is listing tells the buyer that they will be acquiring the property in its current state; what they see is what they get. This can save considerable time in back-and-forth negotiations over what needs fixing, and who will pay.
- Sell to a homebuying company: Consider selling your home to a fix-and-flip company that specializes in purchasing properties in less-than-perfect condition, renovating them and then selling them for a profit. Local “we buy houses” companies pay cash and close remarkably quickly, typically in just a few weeks. But in exchange for this speed, you’ll likely earn less on the sale than you would on the open market.
- Sell to an iBuyer: Similarly, iBuyers offer a near-instant cash offer and a swift closing. However, also similarly, you’ll receive a lower offer than you likely would with a traditional sale. Opendoor, one of the biggest players in the industry, buys homes throughout the L.A. area.
Find a trusted real estate agent
If you choose the traditional selling route, having a local real estate agent by your side will enhance your chances of securing a sale at or near the top of the market. A skilled agent plays a pivotal role in connecting you with potential buyers and takes on vital responsibilities such as marketing your home and negotiating for the best deal on your behalf. Look for someone with extensive experience in your specific neighborhood of L.A. and a proven track record of successful sales. And if speed is of the essence, be sure to let them know that upfront so they can plan accordingly.
Sell your home fast for fair market value
If you want to sell the traditional way, with an agent’s help, there’s a lot to consider before listing your home on the market. Discuss these five issues together to get started:
How should you price your listing?
First things first: How much is your house worth? To expedite a prompt sale, be prepared to establish an appropriate asking price based on local market conditions. Online home-value estimators can be a useful starting point, but it’s best to have your agent research local comps — nearby homes that are similar, or comparable, to yours — to determine a fair market value. Striking the right balance is crucial: You want to price fairly, but avoid overpricing to prevent turning buyers off.
Is it worth upgrading your home before selling?
The answer here, for large renovations like a full kitchen remodel at least, is usually no. Most major projects will not recoup their full cost at resale — and they’ll also delay your sale while you wait for contractors to finish the job. Instead, consider cost-effective solutions to boost your property’s value, like enhancing the curb appeal with some refreshed landscaping, a new coat of paint on the front door and perhaps a pressure-washed driveway or front walk.
What repairs should be tackled before selling?
Obvious issues, like broken window panes or dripping faucets, will turn off buyers right away. Small things like that should be fixed, in service of making a good impression. But you don’t have to fix it all. Your agent can guide you in what issues need addressing and what not to bother with.
Should you pay to stage your home?
How inviting would your home look to a stranger? Overstuffed rooms make buyers notice the stuff cluttering up the space, rather than the space itself. If your home doesn’t allow buyers to easily envision themselves living there, investing in professional home staging can help. Services range from simple reorganization to improve the flow to a full furniture rental for an empty home you’ve already moved out of. Again, your agent can help you decide whether staging is worthwhile.
What information must you disclose to the buyer?
For most California home sellers, completing the state’s lengthy property disclosure form is mandatory. This involves providing information on any known defects that could impact the home’s value or safety. Transparently communicating issues such as past roof damage, leaks, termite damage, electrical problems and more is essential. Additionally, for properties under a homeowners association’s jurisdiction, you’ll need to gather all relevant documents, including bylaws, recent meeting minutes and financial documentation.
Closing day
On closing day, you’ll finally conclude your transaction and receive your proceeds from the sale. But not before you settle all your closing costs, which for a seller will include a hefty agent commission fee. Here are some typical closing costs for California home sellers:
- Commission fees: The commission fees for both your agent and your buyer’s agent will typically come out of your sale proceeds. This usually totals somewhere between 5 and 6 percent of a home’s sale price. For a median-priced $957,000 Los Angeles home, 5.5 percent is a very significant $52,635.
- Title insurance: Title insurance protects in case ownership issues are found with the home’s title. In many states this is paid for by the seller, or split, but California sellers are in luck: Here, it’s customary for the buyer to cover the expenses associated with title insurance.
- Transfer taxes: However, you won’t be able to skip the real estate transfer tax, or charge for transferring the property’s ownership. In Los Angeles, this involves a base tax rate of $2.25 per $500 for homes priced up to $5 million. On a median-priced home, this works out to $4,307.
- Attorney fees: Hiring a real-estate attorney is not mandatory, but having a legal professional review complex contracts provides reassurance and peace of mind, especially when there’s this much money on the line.
- Seller concessions: Any concessions you may have agreed to during negotiations, such as paying for a repair or covering a portion of the buyer’s their closing costs, will be due at closing as well.
FAQs
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Selling to an iBuyer or a cash-homebuying company is by far the fastest way to sell a home in L.A. These companies can close a deal in a matter of a few weeks or less, whereas the typical open-market listing takes 49 days just to go into contract, per Redfin. However, you will not be offered as high a price from these companies as you’re likely to get with a traditional market listing.
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Yes. If you let your agent know from the get-go that a speedy sale is your top priority, they can list and market your home with that in mind. However, even the most skillful agent likely won’t be able to close a deal as quickly as an iBuyer or cash-homebuying outfit could.