Cash Buyers vs Traditional Realtors: Which Should You Choose?

When selling your house, you have two main options: work with a traditional realtor or sell to a cash buyer. Each has advantages depending on your situation, timeline, and property condition.

Traditional Realtors: How They Work

Traditional realtors list your house on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), market it to potential buyers, handle showings, and negotiate offers. The process typically:

• Takes 60-90 days from listing to closing
• Requires your house to be in good condition
• Involves staging, repairs, and cleaning
• Charges 5-6% in commissions (split between buyer and seller agents)
• Depends on buyer financing approval

Cash Buyers: How They Work

Cash buyers purchase houses directly with their own funds. The process typically:

• Takes 7-14 days from offer to closing
• Accepts houses in any condition
• Requires no repairs or staging
• Charges no commissions or fees
• Uses cash, so no financing delays

When to Choose a Traditional Realtor

Traditional realtors work best when:

• You have 60-90 days to wait
• Your house is in excellent condition
• You want maximum market value
• You're not in an urgent situation
• You can afford repairs and staging

When to Choose a Cash Buyer

Cash buyers work best when:

• You need to close in 30 days or less
• Your house needs repairs you can't afford
• You're facing foreclosure or urgent deadlines
• You want to avoid commissions and fees
• You need a simple, straightforward process

The Cost Comparison

On a $200,000 house:

• Traditional realtor: $10,000-12,000 in commissions, plus repairs ($5,000-15,000), staging ($2,000-5,000) = $17,000-32,000 in costs
• Cash buyer: $0 in commissions or fees, $0 in repairs = $0 in costs

However, cash buyers typically offer 70-85% of market value, while realtors may get you closer to 100% of market value (after costs).

Making the Decision

The right choice depends on your priorities:

• Speed: Cash buyers win
• Maximum value: Traditional realtors may win (but factor in costs)
• Simplicity: Cash buyers win
• Condition flexibility: Cash buyers win

Many homeowners get a cash offer first to establish a baseline, then decide whether to pursue traditional listing or accept the cash offer.

Ready to explore your options? Get a free cash offer or call us at (828) 677-2776.