Maybe you have a few questions. That’s okay; most people do. Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us, along with our answers. If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We would be happy to answer it for you.
Q: Will you be listing my house on the MLS or actually buying it?
A: Great question. We’re not agents, and we don’t list houses. Here at Socal RE Buyers, we are professional home buyers: We buy houses that meet our purchasing criteria, and we don’t use bank financing so you don’t have to worry about our ability to close on a deal. After purchasing, we may repair the house and resell it to another homeowner or keep it as a rental ourselves.
Q: How are you different from a real estate agent?
A: Real estate agents list properties and hope that someone will buy them. The agent shows the properties to prospective buyers if there are any (the average time to sell a property in many markets right now is 4-6 months) and then takes a percentage of the sale price if they find a buyer. Oftentimes, the agent’s commission is 3 to 6% of the sale price of your house. If it’s a $100,000 house, you’ll pay between $3,000 to $6,000 in commissions to an agent.
Agents provide a great service for those that can wait 4+ months to sell and who don’t mind giving up some of that sale price to pay for the commissions. But that’s where we’re different. We’re not agents, we’re home buyers. Our company buys the house directly from you. Since we pay with all cash and purchase the house from you, we can make a decision to buy your house within a couple of days (sometimes even the same day). Again, we make our living by taking the risk to buy the house with our own cash, repair the house, and market it ourselves to find a buyer.
Looking for this to be broken down further? Here’s a comparison chart to give an overview:
Selling w/ A Agent | SOLD To Socal RE Buyers | |
---|---|---|
Commissions / Fees: | Up to 6%, paid by you, the seller | None |
Who Pays Closing Costs? | 2% on average is paid by you, the seller | We pay all costs. |
Inspection & Financing Contingency*: | Yes, sales can fall through. | None needed |
Appraisal Needed: | Yes, the sale is often subject to appraisal. | No, we make cash offers. |
Average Days Until Sold: | +/- 91 Days | We provide immediate cash offers. |
Number of Showings: | It Depends | 1 (Just Us) |
Closing Date: | 30-60+/- days after accepting the buyer’s offer | The date of YOUR CHOICE. |
Who Pays For Repairs? | Negotiated during the inspection period | We pay for all repairs. |
Q: Do you pay fair prices for properties?
A: Many of the houses we purchase are below market value. We do this so we can resell it at a profit to another homeowner. We are looking to get a fair discount on a property. In our experience, many sellers aren’t necessarily expecting a large “windfall” on the property. Instead, they appreciate that we can offer cash, we close very quickly (no waiting for financing), and no time, effort, or expense is required on your part to fix up the property or pay agent fees. If that’s what you’re looking for and you see the value in getting your house sold fast, let’s see if we can come to a win-win price for both parties. Our no-obligation pricing commitment means that you don’t have to move forward with the offer we give… but it’s good to know what we’re offering!
Q: How do you determine the price to offer on my house?
A: Great question, and we’re an open book. Our process is very transparent. We carefully assess the location of the property, required repairs, the current condition of the property, and the value of comparable houses recently sold in . By analyzing all these factors, we determine a fair price that aligns with market trends and meets your expectations as a homeowner.
Q: Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?
A: Experience the difference with us – when you sell your house directly to Socal RE Buyers, there are NO fees or commissions involved, unlike traditional listing fees that can eat up to 6% of your sale price. We present you with a fair offer, and if it aligns with your needs, we handle the entire process without any hassles or costs. In fact, we may even cover the closing expenses! Our profit is derived only after investing in necessary repairs and reselling the property. By selling to us, you eliminate the uncertainties and financial burdens associated with property ownership, walking away with cash in hand and peace of mind.
Q: Is there any commitment when I provide my information?
A: You are under no obligation whatsoever. Once you share details about your property, we will evaluate the information, potentially schedule a call to delve deeper, and then provide you with a competitive all-cash offer. The decision to sell your house to us is entirely yours. Your choice matters, and we want you to do what’s right for you.
Answers to FAQ’s when selling a home for cash in
How do I know if my cash offer is legit?
To find out if your cash offer is legit, do research on the company and read the buyer’s contract thoroughly. If there are contingencies, such as financing or inspection contingencies, there may be a catch.
Is the buyer real or are they trying to wholesale the property?
To find out if a buyer is real or trying to wholesale your home, look at the contract. There will be an assignment clause that allows the buyer to transfer your property to another company. If you see any kind of “assignment” phrasing, the buyer is simply wholesaling your home or property.
Do they put down a decent earnest money deposit?
A genuine buyer should put down an earnest cash deposit of $5,000 or more to show their commitment to buying your house. If they’re reluctant to put down any money, it’s usually a red flag that the buyer isn’t legitimate.
Do they actually come out to view the property?
Some companies that buy houses and pay cash will make an initial offer that’s high, come out to view the property, then drop the offer considerably. This is called a bait and switch. A real buyer, like Socal RE Buyers, will only make an offer after conducting a thorough evaluation of your property.
What Are The Pros and Cons of an All Cash Offer?
• Pro #1: Low Risk Of The Deal Falling Apart
In early 2025, 1 in 7 pending home sales fell through. However, when you sell your house to cash companies, like Socal RE Buyers, they don’t rely on banks or lending institutions to finance their real estate deals. So, when we make an offer, we can close the transaction without needing 3rd party approval. We don’t back out of a deal.
• Pro #2: Speedy Sale: Cash companies that make cash offers can buy your house fast – within weeks if not days. Since they don’t rely on loans, the sales process can be completed much faster. This is a great advantage if you need to relocate quickly.
• Pro #3: Fast Cash: If you recently lost your job, are claiming bankruptcy, or are going through tough financial times, selling your house to a cash buyer will give you instant cash.
• Pro #4: Avoid Formal Inspections and Appraisals: Formal inspections and appraisals take time and cost money. If you don’t have the time or cash for inspections, MLS listings, or other real estate costs, you can bypass these steps and sell your house fast directly to a cash buyer. You should also be aware that sometimes there may be complications or even delays if the appraised value differs from your sale price.
If you want to get paid quickly and prefer a fast sale, then selling your house to a cash buyer can be a great option. You don’t have to worry about holding costs (think home insurance and taxes), and you don’t have to pay fees (appraisal fees or closing costs). Like the idea of a fast and fair cash offer? Contact Socal RE Buyers and fill out our form.
Even if selling to cash companies is a nice alternative to the traditional real estate route, there are also cons. Here are a couple of cons to consider when you sell your house fast.
• Con #1: You Might Get A Lower Sale Price
Remember that buyers who purchase your house for cash are investors, and they’ll be doing all the renovations themselves. That means their offer will be the market value minus the cost of renovations. So, you can expect to get less cash for your home.
• Con #2: You Might Pay High Hidden Costs
Some cash buyers charge hidden costs and call them “service fees.” Unfortunately, these service fees can be as high as 13% of the price of the house. At SocalREBuyers, the offer you get is what we pay. There are never hidden costs in our contracts.
Selling a house for cash isn’t for everyone. However, if you’d like a quicker home sale than the traditional route, prefer not to do any repairs, and want a fast sale, then selling your house in for cash may be a good idea. Want to learn more? Sell your house fast and get a cash offer today from Socal RE Buyers.
What is the fastest way to sell a house?
The fastest way to sell your house in is to sell it to a buyer who pays cash. You can sell your house fast – within days or weeks rather than the average three months it will take if you go the traditional route.
Are companies that offer cash on a house legit?
Homebuyers or companies that offer cash may or may not be legit. Like with any industry, there are going to be reputable companies and unethical ones. The best way for sellers to tell if a company is legit is to read online reviews from previous clients.
Want To See What We Can Buy Your House For?
Fill Out The Quick Form Below To Get A No-Hassle, No-Obligation, All-Cash Offer