Home Seller GuideHow to sell your house fast, without getting burned.
Need to sell quickly because of a move, an inheritance, repairs you can't afford or a deadline? Here's how the fast options compare, what a cash offer really costs you, and how to check one is fair. When you're ready, you can request a free home value estimate from our partner.
The estimate button opens our partner Trusted Home Offers. Requesting an estimate is free and doesn't commit you to selling. They may call you to confirm your details.
1. Your options for a fast sale
"Fast" usually means trading some price for speed and certainty. These are the main ways homeowners sell quickly, from fastest to slowest.
| Option | How it works | Typical timeline | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local cash buyer or investor | An investor makes a cash offer on the house as-is, often after a quick walkthrough. | Can close in 1–4 weeks | Usually the lowest price. Offers vary a lot between buyers, so compare several. |
| iBuyer (instant offer company) | A company makes an online offer, inspects the home, and deducts repair costs and a service fee. | Often 2–6 weeks | Only buys certain homes and areas. Fees and repair deductions can add up. |
| Listing with an agent, priced to sell | A licensed agent lists the home, often priced slightly below market to attract quick offers. | Often 1–3 months including closing | Usually the highest price, but you pay commission and closing costs, and buyers' financing can fall through. |
| Selling it yourself (FSBO) | You list, show and negotiate the sale yourself. | Varies widely | No listing commission, but more work, legal paperwork, and typically fewer buyers. |
Tip: even if you want a cash sale, ask a local agent what your home would likely sell for on the open market. It's the number you'll compare every cash offer against.
2. How cash offers are priced
Cash buyers make money by buying below what the home will be worth after repairs and reselling or renting it. Knowing how they think helps you judge an offer.
They start from the after-repair value
That's what the home would likely sell for once it's fixed up, based on recent comparable sales nearby.
They subtract repairs, costs and profit
Expect deductions for repairs, their holding and selling costs, and the profit they need. That's why cash offers are usually well below full market value.
Condition and urgency change the gap
A home that needs major work, has tenants, or must close quickly will usually get a lower offer than one that's move-in ready.
What you save can partly offset a lower price
A cash sale can mean no listing commission, no repairs, no showings and fewer closing delays. Add these up before you compare a cash offer to a listing price.
3. What to have ready
Having these on hand makes estimates more accurate and speeds up any sale.
The basics
Address, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, lot size and year built.
An honest repair list
Roof, HVAC, plumbing, foundation and any known issues. Photos or a walkthrough video help buyers price accurately.
Your payoff amount
Ask your lender for a payoff statement so you know what you'd walk away with.
Title and decision-makers
Everyone on the title needs to agree to sell. Inherited homes may need probate paperwork first.
Your ideal closing date
Knowing when you need to move helps buyers structure an offer, including a later move-out date.
Tenants or vacant
If the home is rented, have the lease details ready. It affects who will buy and when.
4. How to avoid scams and lowball offers
Protect yourself
- Get at least two or three offers and compare them in writing.
- Close through a licensed title company or real estate attorney you can verify independently.
- Never pay an upfront fee to receive an offer, and never sign over your deed outside a proper closing.
- Read the contract for inspection periods and how easily the buyer can back out.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day, or an offer that drops sharply after inspection with no clear reason.
- A buyer who won't show proof of funds or use a real title company.
- Requests to transfer your mortgage or deed before you're paid.
- If you're behind on payments, talk to your lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor before signing anything.
5. Get a free home value estimate from our partner
If a quick, as-is sale might suit you, our partner Trusted Home Offers provides free home value estimates. Based on their published information, they combine automated valuation models with input from local real estate professionals and investors to estimate your home's cash value.
Enter your address and a few details about the home on their site.
Their team may call to confirm details during business hours.
Review your estimate and any offers and decide what to do. There's no obligation to sell.
Estimates, offers and terms come from Trusted Home Offers and the buyers and professionals they work with, and may change. This guide is independent and not operated by Trusted Home Offers. Available in the United States.
Ready to see what your home could get?
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6. Common questions
How fast can I sell my house for cash?
Some cash buyers can close in one to four weeks if the title is clear. The timeline also depends on the title company, any liens, and your own move-out date.
Will I get less money from a cash buyer?
Usually, yes. Cash buyers price in repairs, costs and profit. In exchange you may avoid commissions, repairs, showings and financing delays. Compare the net amount you'd keep, not just the headline price.
Can I sell a house that needs repairs?
Yes. Cash buyers and investors commonly buy homes as-is. Describe the condition honestly so the offer doesn't change later.
Does requesting an estimate commit me to selling?
No. An estimate is information. You only sell if you sign a purchase contract.
Who is behind this guide, and how does it make money?
This guide is published independently by OSE Marketing. We earn a commission if you request an estimate through the buttons on this page. That doesn't change the estimate or offer you receive. See our About page and privacy policy.