How Cash Home Buyers in Charleston Simplify the Selling Process
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Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorKelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She has seven years of editorial experience in the real estate and lifestyle spaces. She previously worked as a commerce editor for World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and as an associate editor for Livabl.com. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and lives in a small mountain town in Southern California.
If you’re considering selling your home and want a quick, straightforward sale, connecting with cash home buyers in Charleston might be right for you. With a booming population, low property taxes, and a thriving tourism industry, Charleston is considered an investor-friendly market that attracts both local and national cash buyers.
Accepting a cash offer for your house could simplify the selling process, leading to a faster closing with less paperwork. In this guide, we’ll explain how to find reputable cash home buyers in Charleston, detail the benefits of a cash sale, and walk you through the steps involved in the process.
Sell Your House Fast in Charleston With a Cash Offer
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Disclaimer: As a friendly reminder, this blog post is meant to be used for educational purposes, not legal or tax advice. HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to your own advisor.
How to find cash home buyers in Charleston
Seeking a quick and relatively hassle-free way to sell your home? Cash buyers offer a compelling option for those looking to avoid the traditional market challenges. Below, we outline practical strategies for finding credible cash buyers in Charleston who may be willing to make a cash offer on your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
Opting for a cash sale doesn’t mean you should forego the expertise of a real estate agent. Agents often have direct connections to cash buyers actively seeking properties like yours. Leveraging these connections can streamline the selling process, sparing you the effort of vetting potential buyers yourself.
Agents understand the local market dynamics and can help you secure a fair price from a cash buyer. If you’re not already working with an agent, HomeLight can connect you to top agents in Charleston who specialize in cash sales. While you should expect to pay real estate commissions, in exchange, you’ll gain the support and expertise of an experienced real estate agent.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
In Charleston, the presence of real estate investors is noteworthy, be they short-term rental owners, house flippers, mom-and-pop landlords, or corporate buyers. To capture the attention of these cash-flush individuals, consider marketing your property on investment websites or attending local real estate investment meetings.
Requesting no-obligation cash offers from “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies in Charleston can also be effective. However, keep in mind that many of these companies are operated by house flippers who adhere to the 70% rule, meaning they might offer to pay only 70% of the after-repair value of your home, minus repair costs.
Do your due diligence
Before committing to a cash-for-homes company, it’s important to conduct thorough research. Use the Better Business Bureau to verify the legitimacy of the company you’re considering. Or, reach out to the local chapter, BBB Serving Central South Carolina & Charleston.
Reading online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot can also provide insights into the company’s reputation and operational history. Check for a track record of fairness, as well as any necessary licenses and customer referrals. Ensuring the company’s credibility upfront can protect you from potential scams and ensure a smoother transaction.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
When dealing with a cash buyer, it’s important to confirm they have the necessary funds available. Ask prospective buyers for proof of funds, which is a document, typically a bank statement or a letter from a financial institution, verifying their ability to purchase your home outright. If a buyer hesitates to provide this proof, consider it a red flag and work with a company that’s more transparent about their finances.
Inside the Charleston cash home buyers market
The cash home-buying scene in Charleston is primarily driven by real estate investors, though other groups are also looking to make mortgage-free purchases. Let’s look into who these cash buyers are and what drives their interest in Charleston properties.
New residents
Charleston is a magnet for new residents, drawn by its historic charm, beautiful coastline, and thriving culinary scene. Between April 2020 and July 2023, the U.S. Census estimates that the city’s population swelled by 3.3%, adding nearly 5,000 new residents. Charleston also ranked 21st in U.S. News’ list of the fastest-growing places in the U.S. for 2024–2025.
Many of these newcomers, especially those relocating from higher-cost cities, are able to purchase homes outright without the need for financing. Their ability to act quickly with cash offers can make them ideal buyers if you’re looking to sell your home fast and with fewer complications.
Baby Boomers
Baby Boomers make up about 16% of Charleston’s population. The city is popular among retirees due to its favorable tax benefits for seniors, warm year-round weather, and nearby beaches. Although housing and insurance can be pricey, for those who can afford them, Charleston offers a high quality of life.
Baby Boomers with significant home equity or long-term savings may opt to purchase Charleston homes outright, especially as they settle into retirement or downsize. In 2023, more than half of older boomers (51%) nationwide paid cash for the homes they purchased, as did 32% of younger boomers, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). If your Charleston home features amenities that appeal to this generation, such as a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways, be sure to emphasize these in your listing description.
Property investors
For many Charleston homeowners, selling to real estate investors is a practical choice. Property investors — ranging from institutional buyers and house flippers to buy-and-hold investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers — are often more likely to pay in cash and close deals quickly. Charleston’s attractive real estate market, with its mix of historic properties and modern developments, sees a high proportion of investor activity. These investors are typically looking for properties they can renovate and resell or hold as rental investments, making them ideal buyers for homes in varying conditions.
Pros of working with a Charleston cash home buyer
Cash offers provide a fast and lower-stress alternative for Charleston homeowners. Ahead, we’ll explore the benefits of working with a cash home buyer:
- Quick closings: One of the most significant advantages of cash sales is the ability to close quickly. Without the need for mortgage approvals or extensive paperwork, transactions can often be completed in a matter of days or weeks.
- No contingencies: Cash buyers typically do not require contingencies such as financing or appraisal, which can slow down the sale process. This makes for a smoother, more straightforward transaction with fewer opportunities for the deal to fall through.
- As-is purchase: Cash buyers are often willing to purchase homes as-is, meaning you won’t need to invest time and money into repairs or upgrades. This can save you considerable effort and expense, making the sale process much easier.
- Simplified process: The overall process of selling to a cash buyer is typically more streamlined and less stressful. With fewer hurdles and less paperwork involved, homeowners can enjoy a more straightforward path to closing the sale.
How to request a cash offer in Charleston
If you’re seeking a streamlined way to secure a cash offer for your home, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with the largest network of vetted and pre-approved investors in the U.S. After answering a few basic questions about your home, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours. Should you accept, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days, skipping repairs, prep work, and showings, and select a move-out date that suits you — up to 30 days from closing.
It’s important to note that cash buyers typically offer less than what you might get on the open market. However, selling the traditional way involves fees that can consume 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your situation, a cash sale might still be the more economical option.
How much are Charleston cash home buyers willing to pay?
Cash home buyers often pay sellers below market value in exchange for speed and convenience. A common guideline used by house flippers is the 70% rule, which means they offer 70% of the home’s after-repair value minus repair costs. This ensures they make a profit while covering renovation expenses.
The competitiveness of Charleston’s housing market influences these offers. When the market is hot, cash offers may come closer to market value due to high demand and limited inventory. In a slower market, cash offers tend to be lower as buyers have more leverage. Sellers should weigh the benefits of a quick, hassle-free sale against the potential for a higher price on the open market.
What’s the process of selling to a Charleston cash home buyer?
Considering a cash sale for your Charleston property? This process differs from a traditional sale. Let’s explore the typical steps involved in a cash home sale:
Complete the South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement
In South Carolina, sellers are required to fill out the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement. This document requires that you disclose any known issues with your property, including structural defects, environmental hazards, and previous repairs. This makes sure buyers are fully informed about the home’s condition before finalizing the sale.
If you’re working with a Charleston “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all of the necessary documents for you, including this one. However, you can speed up the paperwork process by filling it out ahead of time. These companies conduct their own inspections and purchase homes in any condition, so filing the disclosure statement is more of a legal obligation from their perspective.
The buyer runs a title search on the property
The cash buyer will conduct a thorough title search to verify the property’s ownership. This process confirms that you have a clear legal title and identifies any liens or claims that could hinder the sale. Common title issues include boundary disputes, undisclosed easements, unknown heirs, public record inaccuracies, and instances of forgery.
The seller pays any associated fees
A cash sale has fewer closing costs than a traditional home sale. However, sellers may still have to pay some costs, such as transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees. In South Carolina, the transfer tax is known as a deed stamp and is calculated at $1.85 per $500 of the property’s value. The state’s portion is $1.30 per $500 of consideration, while the county gets $0.55 per $500 of consideration.
Want to avoid closing costs altogether? Many “We Buy Houses” companies will pay them for you in exchange for an offer that’s below market value.
Deciding to sell to Charleston cash home buyers
Charleston’s popularity with real estate investors creates strong potential for homeowners to sell their homes quickly for cash. Whether you choose to compare buyers on your own, work with a seasoned real estate agent, or request an offer through Simple Sale, HomeLight is here to connect you with top professionals and essential resources. Our goal is to streamline your selling process, making the most of Charleston’s investor-rich market to secure a quick and efficient sale for your property.
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