How it works
How selling to a cash home buyer works
A plain-English walk-through of selling your Tampa Bay house to us or a trusted local investor partner: the steps, how the offer is figured, what the title company does and what you pay.
Get my offerStep by step
From the form to the closing table
Here's exactly what happens when you ask us or a trusted local investor partner for an offer on your house.
- Tell us about the houseThe form takes about 2 minutes: the address, how to reach you and a line about what's going on. Condition, tenants, liens and storm damage are all fine to mention.
- We or a local investor partner reach outSomeone on our team will get right back with you. A real person reviews the details and calls, texts or emails you with a few questions about the house and your timing.
- A walk-through, if it makes senseOne visit at a time that suits you. You don't need to clean, repair or stage anything. Tenants get proper notice.
- A written offerThe offer is in writing with the price, the closing date and who pays which costs. Take your time, ask questions, or have an attorney review it. You can say no.
- Close at a local title companyIf you accept, a licensed title company handles the title search, payoffs and paperwork. Often in a few weeks, sometimes faster, on the date you choose.
The offer
How a cash offer is figured
There's no secret formula. A cash buyer works backward from what the house would be worth after repairs.
What's left is the offer. That's why a cash offer is usually below what a fully fixed-up house could sell for: the buyer takes on the repairs, the holding costs, the resale and the risk. In return, you skip all of that, plus showings and agent commissions, and you choose the closing date. Ask us to walk you through the numbers on your house and we will.
What the title company does
When you accept an offer, the closing is handled by a licensed title company (or a real estate attorney) here in Florida. It's a neutral third party, so it doesn't work for you or the buyer. The title company:
- Searches the public records for liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, code fines and anything else recorded against the property
- Orders your mortgage payoff and arranges to pay off liens from the sale proceeds
- Prepares the deed and a settlement statement that shows every dollar before you sign
- Holds the buyer's funds, records the deed with the county and sends you your proceeds
What you pay
When you sell directly to us or a local investor partner there are no agent commissions. Usually the buyer pays the normal closing costs, and you pay nothing beyond your mortgage payoff, any liens or unpaid taxes, and your share of this year's property taxes, which are prorated to the closing date. Every deal is different, so the written offer spells out exactly who pays what before you sign.
What to have ready
- The property address, and whether anyone lives there now
- A rough idea of the condition: roof age, AC, any water or storm damage
- Your timeline: how soon you'd like to close, or if you need time to move
- An estimate of your mortgage payoff and any liens, if you know them
- For an inherited house: who's handling the estate and where probate stands
- For a condo: the association's notices about dues or assessments
Don't have all of that? That's fine. Send what you know, and someone on our team will get right back with you.
When a cash sale isn't the right fit
If your house is in good shape and you have time to wait for the right buyer, listing with a good local agent often gets a higher price. If you're behind on payments, please also talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor or an attorney about every option. We'll be honest with you if selling to us doesn't make sense.
Your options
Selling as-is vs. listing with an agent in Tampa Bay
Both are good choices in different situations. Here's the honest side by side.
| Topic | Selling to us or a partner | Listing with an agent |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs and clean-up | None. Sell it as-is and leave behind what you don't want. | Usually expected, so the house photographs and shows well. |
| Showings | One walk-through, at a time that works for you. | Showings and open houses until it sells. |
| Agent commissions | None. | Usually part of the deal. Rates are negotiable. |
| Closing costs | Usually paid by the buyer. Confirmed in writing for each deal. | Often split, depending on the contract. |
| Timeline | Often a few weeks, sometimes faster, on the date you choose. | Time on the market plus the buyer's financing and inspection period. |
| Certainty | No lender approval or appraisal to wait on. | Financing, appraisals and inspections can delay or end a deal. |
| Price | Usually below what a fully fixed-up house could sell for. | Often a higher price, especially for move-in-ready homes. |
When listing is the better choice: if your house is move-in ready and you have time to wait for the right buyer, listing with a good local agent often gets a higher price. If that's true for your house, we'll tell you.
Ready when you are
Ready to see your number?
Tell us where the house is and how to reach you. Someone on our team will get right back with you, and there's never any obligation.
Get your fair cash offer
Takes about 2 minutes. No obligation.
Someone on our team will get right back with you.