An honest side-by-side comparison of selling to a cash buyer vs. listing with an agent — timeline, net proceeds, risk, and who each option is right for.
Both a cash offer and a traditional listing are legitimate ways to sell your home. The right choice depends on your situation, timeline, and how you weigh certainty against maximum gross price.
Cash sale: Offer in 24 hours, close in 7-21 days.
Traditional listing: Prep 2-4 weeks, on market 30-90 days, closing 30-45 days after contract — total 2-5 months minimum.
Cash sale: Lower gross price (typically 5-15% below retail), but no agent commission (5-6%), no repairs (0-$30K), no carrying costs during sale period.
Traditional: Higher gross price, but subtract: agent commission (5-6%), repairs ($5-30K), holding costs (mortgage × 3-5 months), and still subject to appraisal gaps and financing fall-throughs.
Cash sale is right if you need speed, have deferred maintenance, or want certainty. Traditional is right if your home is market-ready and you have time to wait for the best price. Get a KashHomeBuyers cash offer as a starting point for comparison.