Questions About Selling Your House?

Not necessarily. The offer is the purchase price. Your take-home amount is what remains after mortgage payoffs, liens, unpaid taxes, and any other amounts you owe at closing are accounted for. Closing costs we agree to pay are separate from those obligations.

Ask for a written estimate of your proceeds when reviewing the offer. Then have escrow confirm the payoffs, costs, and credits before closing, so you can see what you are expected to receive.

The California DRE escrow guide (PDF) explains closing statements and seller expenses.

There is no charge to request our offer, and we do not charge you an agent commission when we buy your house directly. The purchase agreement should identify the closing costs we will pay and any costs that remain your responsibility. Ask us to go through that breakdown with you before signing.

Mortgage balances, liens, unpaid taxes, and similar obligations do not disappear because a buyer covers closing costs. Also, if you already have an agreement with an agent, check it before accepting a direct offer; you may still owe compensation under that agreement.

We visit the property and compare it with nearby homes that have sold. Then we consider the repairs and other work it needs, what it could sell for after that work, and our costs and profit as the buyer. A house that needs a roof and a full interior renovation will not receive the same offer as a similar house that is ready to move into.

Our offer is a price we are willing to pay, not an independent appraisal. Ask which comparable sales and repairs influenced the number, and compare it with other offers.

You might, especially if the house is in good condition and you have time for marketing and showings. A direct cash sale usually trades some price for the convenience of selling without doing the repairs yourself.

Compare a local agent’s estimated net proceeds with our offer after the actual costs on each path. Include negotiated agent compensation, any repairs or buyer credits, closing costs, and the expenses of owning the house until it sells. Listing as-is is also an option; selling to us is not the only way to avoid renovating first.

See our comparison of selling through an agent or to an investor.

No. Asking for an offer, having a conversation, or letting us look at the property does not commit you to selling. You can compare your options and decline.

Signing a purchase agreement is different. It creates contractual obligations, and your ability to cancel depends on the agreement and applicable law. Read the price, deadlines, contingencies, deposit, and cancellation terms before you sign. Get independent advice if anything is unclear.

You can sell a house with a mortgage. In a typical sale, escrow pays off the loan from the sale proceeds. Ask your servicer for the payoff amount rather than using the balance on your monthly statement; accrued interest and other charges can make those figures different.

If the sale will not cover what is owed, you may need to bring money to closing or obtain lender approval for a short sale. Approval is not automatic. Other liens can need separate resolution, and debt or tax consequences require advice specific to your situation.

The CFPB explains mortgage payoff amounts and short-sale approval.

We consider houses, condos, townhomes, and small multifamily properties, including rentals, inherited homes, vacant houses, and properties that need substantial work. You do not need to bring a house up to move-in condition before contacting us.

Send the address and a short description of its condition. We will review whether it is a property we can buy; we do not promise an offer on every address.

No repairs or deep cleaning are needed before we look at the house. We make our offer with its current condition in mind, so you do not need to replace a roof, update a kitchen, or repaint to request a price.

Tell us about known problems, including leaks, damage, or work done without permits. Selling as-is does not remove applicable disclosure duties. If you want to leave furniture or other belongings behind, agree on those items with us before closing rather than assuming everything can stay.

Read more about selling a house as-is in California.

Yes, we consider occupied rental properties. Let us know about the lease, rent, security deposit, and any disputes or notices. We need that information to evaluate the purchase and arrange lawful access to the house.

A sale does not automatically end a tenancy. Lease terms, state law, and local tenant protections may affect what happens next. Do not change locks, shut off utilities, or promise a vacant house without first understanding your obligations.

Our guide to selling with tenants covers the sale process. The California landlord-tenant guide (PDF) explains tenant rights when a rental is sold.

Often, yes, but first establish who has authority to sell. Being an heir does not by itself mean you can sign for an estate. A probate sale may involve a personal representative, required notices, and sometimes court approval. A trustee’s authority depends on the trust and the circumstances.

We can discuss the property while you work through those questions, but we cannot bypass estate requirements or promise a closing date before they are resolved. Have the estate attorney and escrow company confirm what is needed.

See selling a house during probate. California’s Alameda Superior Court also explains a personal representative’s authority.

You may still be able to sell before the foreclosure sale is completed, provided the payoff or lender-approved arrangement and the closing can be completed in time. Tell us immediately if you have a Notice of Default or Notice of Trustee’s Sale, including any scheduled sale date.

An offer or signed purchase agreement does not, by itself, stop or postpone foreclosure. Confirm the status with your servicer or trustee, and speak with a foreclosure attorney or HUD-approved housing counselor about your options. We are a prospective buyer, not your lender or legal adviser.

Read our guide to selling during foreclosure. California DFPI’s Notice of Default explanation (PDF) addresses selling before foreclosure concludes.

We ask about the address, the condition of the house, who lives there, and your preferred timing. If it looks like a property we can buy, we arrange a walkthrough and review nearby sales and the work it needs before making an offer.

If you accept the written agreement, the sale moves into escrow. Escrow handles the closing documents and money while title and payoff questions are addressed. You can see the full sequence on our How It Works page.

We usually provide an offer within 24 hours of the walkthrough. Our typical closing window is three to five weeks, though some purchases can close sooner. Neither timeframe is a guarantee for every property.

The actual date depends on the agreement, title, payoffs, access, and any estate or tenant issues. Tell us about your deadline at the beginning so we can discuss whether it is realistic. A cash offer still needs a completed closing; it is not instant payment.

Tell us when you need to move, and we will discuss a closing and possession date that works for both sides. Those dates should be clear in the agreement.

If you need to stay after closing, raise that before signing. Any arrangement would need separate written terms covering the move-out date, costs, insurance, and responsibilities. Staying after closing is not automatically included in a cash sale.

Escrow releases your proceeds after the closing requirements are met and the transfer is recorded. Signing documents is not the same as receiving the money.

Ask your escrow officer which payment methods are available and when the funds should reach you. Recording times and bank cutoffs can affect delivery. Confirm any payment instructions by calling the escrow company at a phone number you have independently verified, especially if instructions change by email.

Our cash-offer service is an offer to buy your property, not an agreement to list it on the open market. We have a financial interest in the purchase, so our offer is not independent advice about the best choice for you.

Check the buyer named in the contract, any assignment provisions, the deposit, and the closing terms. You can ask for proof of funds and have your own agent or attorney review the agreement. A team member holding a real estate license does not, by itself, make that person your representative.

We consider properties in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. Our office is in Murrieta.

Send us the property address to confirm whether we can help. The city alone does not determine an offer; the property, condition, and details of the sale matter too.

Start with our About Us page to learn about co-founders Doug and Andrea Van Soest. You can also browse our transaction history and read seller testimonials.

Use those as part of your research, then ask us questions about your particular sale. You should be comfortable with the buyer, the contract, the escrow company, and the amount you expect to receive before moving forward.