The traditional home selling process doesn't work for everyone. In Maryland, a typical home sale can take 107 days from listing to closing. Some homeowners can't wait that long.
Here is where "we buy houses for cash" companies come to help.
These, and other types of cash buyers, offer a fast solution for homeowners. They purchase houses "as-is" — that is, in their current condition, without any repairs or prep — and pay in cash, so sellers don't have to wait for a buyer to get a mortgage approval. The process is quick, easy, and requires no repairs or home prep.
Key Benefits of "We Buy Houses for Cash" Companies
A quick sale: Cash buyers are able to avoid some of the most lengthy parts of closing a real estate transaction (like waiting for financing approval). In Maryland, some companies can buy a home in as few as 7 days instead of over 3 months.
No stressful repairs: Since these companies buy homes "as-is", homeowners don't have to spend time and money finding, hiring, and overseeing a construction crew.
Higher certainty: There's always a chance a typical buyer won't be approved for their mortgage or will back out of the sale. "We buy houses for cash" companies are investors; if they make an offer on a home, they're ready to close the deal.
For home sellers who need to sell in a hurry, want to avoid repair costs, or are looking for a more convenient selling method, a cash buyer can be a great option. But they're not right for everyone.
To ensure a profit, "we buy houses for cash" companies make offers that are well under fair market value. The speed and convenience they offer doesn't always outweigh the hit you could take to your bottom line.
In this article, we explain how "we buy houses" companies work, and break down examples to help you understand how much you can make selling to a cash buyer compared to other alternatives.
Read on to make an informed decision — and maybe find the buyer for your home!
While the smaller details and timeline varies from company to company, "we buy houses for cash" companies all share a basic business model.
After being contacted by an interested home seller, the cash buyer assesses the property, focusing on factors like necessary repairs and the potential resale value.
Based on the amount of time and money they'll need to invest in the property, the investor makes an "as-is" cash offer.
If the homeowner accepts, the deal can close quickly because there's no need to negotiate, wait for financing approval, or inspect and appraise the property.
The cash buyer repairs the home and then resells it for a profit.
The quick process benefits homeowners who don't have the resources or time for a traditional sale.
For perspective, in Maryland houses typically spend 62 days on the market before the seller accepts an offer. Then there's the closing process, which takes between 30 to 45 days if the buyer is applying for a mortgage. That means it can take the typical seller up to 107 days to finalize the sale.
In comparison, some "we buy houses for cash" companies in Maryland can complete the whole process in as few as 7 days.
Traditional Home Selling Timeline vs. "We Buy Houses for Cash" Companies
Traditional Process
Depending on the condition of your home, repairing and preparing it for sale can take months. It could take 62 days to get an offer and 30-45 days to close.
"We Buy Houses for Cash" Process
Preparing your house for sale is Not necessary. These investors buy homes "as-is". Once the company evaluates the home, it often makes an offer within 24 hours. Closing can take as few as 7 days in Maryland.
Many "we buy houses for cash" companies advertise that they'll send you an offer in as few as seven minutes. This is not an official offer.
After talking to a company representative, they'll give a ballpark estimate of what they'll pay. Very few investors will make a binding offer sight-unseen — and if they do it'll be substantially lower to account for possible issues.
Once you schedule an in-person inspection, the investor will present a legal offer, often on the spot.
Also, know some of the bigger, well-known companies aren't the actual buyers. They are a network of local investors, or they collect interested sellers' information and pass it on to flippers. In these cases, how long the process takes will depend on the investor in your area.
For example, we called five "we buy houses for cash" companies that advertise offers in less than an hour — none of them responded within that time frame.
That is why it is better to work with a local trustworthy cash buyer like Easy Outs Homes if you need to sell your home as is in Maryland fast.
How Much Will We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Maryland Pay?
"We buy houses" companies use the 70% rule to ensure they'll make a profit. Basically, the 70% rule says the buyer shouldn't pay more than 70% of the home's After Repair Value (ARV) — what they hope to sell the house for — minus repairs.
Selling a House to a Cash Buyer in Maryland: 2 Examples
"We buy houses for cash" companies use home values of comparable properties to estimate ARV. Assuming your house is the same size and has the same layout as most homes in your area, your city's average home value is more or less the ARV a cash buyer is shooting for.
However, the cost of necessary repairs will significantly impact the offer you receive.
For many sellers, being unable to pay for repairs limits their options. You need to consider whether paying for repairs out-of-pocket is an option before deciding to sell to a cash buyer.
Let's look at some examples of cash offers a home seller could expect in different Maryland cities versus what it would cost to pay for repairs out-of-pocket.
Home in Bel Air in Need of Major Repairs
Say your home is in Bel Air, where the average home value is $348,690. Your house needs a new roof (average repair cost: $730), a kitchen remodel ($24,436), foundation repairs ($5,009), and sod installed on the lawn ($1,718).
Here's how a cash buyer will calculate their offer:
ARV = $348,690
70% of ARV = $244,083
Cost of Repairs = $31,893
Max. Cash Buyer Offer = $212,190
Cost of repairs based on HomeAdvisor Local averages (June 2020)
The offer may seem low, but most homeowners don't have almost $32,000 to pay for the repairs. In addition, more extensive repairs can easily get out of hand and exceed the average (i.e. a kitchen remodel with new cabinets, counters, and appliances can cost upwards of $50,000).
To avoid that out-of-pocket expense and the risk of spending more than you'll get back, in this example, it's understandable why a seller would accept an offer that is about 39% below fair market value.
If the cost of fixing your home is similarly high, selling to a "we buy houses for cash" company may be your best option.
Home in Abingdon in Need of Minor Repairs
In Abingdon, the average home value is $324,486. If your house needs minor repairs like new carpeting ($1,795) and a fresh coat of paint ($2,226), here's how a cash buyer will calculate their offer:
ARV = $324,486
70% of ARV = $227,140
Cost of Repairs = $4,021
Max. Cash Buyer Offer = $223,119
Cost of repairs based on HomeAdvisor Local averages (June 2020)
Are "We Buy Houses for Cash" Companies Scams?
Many "we buy houses for cash" companies in Maryland are safe and completely legal. They provide a valuable service to homeowners who need to sell their homes quickly or can't afford to make repairs. Many local cash buying companies are family owned and work with sellers to meet their closing and moving timelines.
That being said, as with any industry, there are bad apples. If a "cash buyer" approaches you, check that they have an established web presence and customer reviews before giving them your personal information.
Also read all the fine print on any contract they present you. Look up words or terms you don't understand. And never assume the contract says what you agreed to verbally.
Most importantly, look at the contract's contingencies. These are the conditions that allow the buyer to back out of the sale or change the terms. Unless you understand the contingencies, you could be taken advantage of.
How Much Does Selling to a Cash Buyer Cost?
Every real estate transaction has costs that can add up quickly. Expenses like closing costs, repairs, and real estate agent commissions can eat away at your profits.
Luckily, when you sell to a "we buy houses for cash" company, you avoid many traditional selling costs like:
Realtor commissions
Closing costs
Staging
Seller concessions
When you add all these expenses up, selling to a cash buyer can have significantly fewer costs than a typical home sale.
Carrying Costs
Many homeowners sell to a "we buy houses for cash" company because speed is their biggest priority. They might need to sell quickly to avoid foreclosure or to get out from under the costs of owning an unwanted property, also known as carrying costs.
Every day you wait to close your sale, you lose money on carrying costs. Here's how those costs break down in Maryland.
Average Carrying Costs in Maryland
Mortgage Payment: $45
Homeowners Insurance: $4
Utilities: $14
Property Taxes: $9
Maintenance: $6
Total Cost per Day: $78
Pros and Cons of We Buy Houses For Cash Companies in Maryland
Pros
Fast, certain cash offers: After viewing your home, most "we buy houses for cash" companies will give you an offer within 24 hours. And unlike other buyers, there's no chance of the deal falling through because a mortgage application is denied or the buyer getting cold feet.
Sell your home "as-is": If you don't have the time or money to make significant repairs to your house, a "we buy houses for cash" company could be your best option. While their offer will account for the cost of repairs, they'll buy homes regardless of their condition.
Schedule your own closing date: Instead of going through the typical 30-45 day closing process, you can schedule a day to close in as few as 7 days.
Low closing costs: Most "we buy houses for cash" companies will cover typical closing costs. This can save you 1-3%.
Cons
Lower offers: Cash buyers are property investors. To ensure they make a profit, their offers will likely follow the 70% rule (at most 70% of the home's ARV, minus the cost of repairs).
No negotiating: You can either take an offer from a "we buy houses for cash" company or leave it. They don't negotiate, even if you disagree with their evaluation of the property.
Predatory tactics: Many sellers considering a cash buyer are in a difficult situation. You might be facing foreclosure or not have enough money to sell the traditional way. "We buy houses" companies know this and some might try and take advantage of your situation. Never sign anything because you feel pressured and be prepared to walk away if something doesn't feel right.
And if you are considering selling your Maryland house fast - get a cash offer from the honest local company here.
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