How long does a cash sale take?
With no lender in the middle, the clock mostly runs on title work and your mortgage payoff. Here's what happens between yes and closing.
No obligation. No pressure. Takes about 2 minutes.
The short answer
Without a lender, appraisal or loan approval, a cash sale can close as soon as the title work is done and any mortgage payoff is lined up. We can close in as little as 7 days when the title is clear. Liens, an estate that isn't settled, co-owners who disagree or a slow payoff can add time, and you can always pick a later date.
Step by step
-
1
Agree on a price and a date
You and the buyer sign a purchase contract with the price and a target closing date. There's no loan approval to wait for, so the date can be set around your plans.
-
2
Title search
The title company or closing attorney checks the public records for who owns the home and what's recorded against it, such as mortgages, liens and judgments. Clean title moves fast; problems take time to clear.
-
3
Mortgage payoff
If you have a mortgage, the settlement agent asks your servicer for a payoff statement. Federal rules require the servicer to send it within a reasonable time and no later than seven business days after a written request, with exceptions for loans in bankruptcy or foreclosure, reverse mortgages and natural disasters.
-
4
Closing day
You sign the deed and the settlement papers. The settlement agent pays off what you owe and sends you the rest.
-
5
What can slow it down
An estate that hasn't been opened, a co-owner who won't sign, old liens or a gap in the ownership records. Mention these up front so the date you're given is realistic.
This guide explains the general rules. It isn't legal advice. Your contract and situation may differ, so talk to a real estate attorney about your specific case.
Cash offer vs listing
Example: a $250,000 home
| Offer | $205,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | $0 |
| Commissions | $0 |
| Closing costs | $0 |
| You walk away with | $205,000 |
| In 7 to 14 days | |
| Sale price | $250,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | about $8,000 |
| Commissions | about $13,800 |
| Closing and holding | about $6,000 |
| You walk away with | about $222,200 |
| In 60 to 90 days | |
Example only. Your numbers depend on your home and market.
We show the cash offer and its closing timeline next to what listing could net and how long that might take, so you can weigh time against money.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cash sale really close in a week?
It can when the title is clear and the payoff comes back quickly. We can close in as little as 7 days in that case; title problems or an open estate take longer.
Can I choose a later closing date?
Yes. The closing date is part of the contract, so you can set it for when you're ready to move.
What can hold up a cash closing?
Title problems such as old liens or judgments, an estate that isn't open yet, or waiting on a payoff statement. The title search is where these show up.
Who are you?
We are real estate investors based in Baltimore, helping homeowners since 2016. We buy houses directly for cash. We are not a licensed real estate brokerage and do not list homes ourselves; if listing could get you more, we show you the math so you can choose.