How to sell a house fast: your options
There are four main ways to sell quickly, and each trades some money for some speed. Here's how they compare.
No obligation. No pressure. Takes about 2 minutes.
The short answer
The fastest ways to sell are a cash sale to an investor, an instant offer from an iBuyer, a listing priced to sell quickly, or an auction. Cash and iBuyer sales skip the lender and can close in days or weeks; a well-priced listing usually brings more money but adds showings, buyer financing and more time. The right choice depends on your deadline, the home's condition and how much you need to net.
Step by step
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1
List it priced to sell
Pricing at or just under recent comparable sales can bring offers quickly. You'll still have showings, commissions and the buyer's loan process before closing.
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2
Sell to a local cash buyer
A cash buyer buys as-is with no lender, so closing depends mostly on the title work. The price reflects repairs and the buyer's costs.
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3
Take an iBuyer offer
An iBuyer makes an online offer, inspects, and may adjust for repairs and charge a service fee. They tend to prefer newer homes in good shape.
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4
Auction
An auction sets a sale date up front, but the price is whatever bidders offer, and there can be fees and terms to read carefully.
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5
Clear the hold-ups early
Whichever way you go, request your mortgage payoff, gather estate or divorce paperwork, and find out now about anything else owed against the house. Paperwork can slow a fast sale as much as finding a buyer.
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 next to what listing could net and how long each might take, so you can pick the speed that's worth it to you.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to sell a house?
A cash sale is usually fastest because there's no lender. We can close in as little as 7 days when the title is clear.
Will I get less for a fast sale?
Often, yes. Cash buyers and iBuyers price in repairs and their costs. A listing can net more if you have the time, so compare both.
Can I sell fast if the house needs repairs?
Yes. Cash buyers buy as-is; iBuyers are usually pickier about condition. A listing can work too if it's priced for the repairs.
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.