How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Columbia for a Hassle-Free Home Sale

Inside the Columbia cash home buyers market

Columbia’s cash home-buying market is largely driven by real estate investors, but other groups may be willing to buy your bungalow mortgage-free. Let’s take a closer look at these cash buyers and what motivates them.

Transplants seeking affordable housing

Columbia’s lower cost of living and affordability continue to attract new residents, particularly from higher-priced markets. Cash buyers often choose to buy in cash to secure their property quickly. For these buyers, an all-cash transaction offers the benefit of skipping mortgage approval delays, helping them settle faster.

Baby Boomers

In February 2024, 33% of U.S. homebuyers had all-cash sales, the highest share in nearly a decade, according to the Realtors® Confidence Index Survey. Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964) accounted for the largest share of home sellers in the past year at 26%.

Flush with cash, mature buyers are increasingly paying for their homes without mortgages. More than half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) paid all cash for home purchases they made in 2023, as did 53% of homebuyers from the Silent Generation (born 1925–1945), and 32% of Younger Boomers.

If your Columbia house has features that appeal to the Baby Boomer generation, like a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways and hallways, highlight them in the listing description to capture the attention of older buyers willing to pay cash.

Property investors

While cash sales are becoming more common for traditional buyers nationwide, homeowners are still more likely to find success selling to property investors. Beyond institutional buyers, other common types of investors include house flippers, buy-and-hold investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers.

Pros of working with a Columbia cash home buyer

Cash offers can be an attractive option for Columbia homeowners seeking an efficient and streamlined sales process. Let’s explore the key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:

How to request a cash offer in Columbia

If you’re looking for an easier 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. If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days. You can skip the repairs, prep work, and endless showings and choose a move-out date that works for you — up to 30 days from closing.

Cash buyers usually offer less than what you might get on the open market, but selling the traditional way comes with fees that can eat up 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your needs, a cash buyer could still save you money in the long run.

How much are Columbia cash home buyers willing to pay?

Cash investors and home-buying companies often look for deals where they can buy properties for less than what they’re worth on the market. In return, sellers get the benefit of selling their homes quickly and with less hassle. House flippers usually follow the 70% rule, meaning they try not to pay more than 70% of a home’s after-repair value (ARV), including repair and upgrade costs.

Columbia’s real estate market has consistently grown, with home values appreciating over the years. Over the past decade, the city has seen an annual appreciation rate of 4.1%.

During periods with high demand and low inventory (seller’s markets), cash buyers often come closer to a home’s market value. Offers in this scenario range from 80% to 85% of the ARV of the property.

What’s the process of selling to a Columbia cash home buyer?

If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, a cash home sale may be right for you. Here’s a breakdown of how the process generally works:

Complete the State Of South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement

Most states have mandated disclosure laws and require you to fill out a form detailing any material defects in the home. In South Carolina, sellers are required to disclose any defects before accepting an offer by completing the State Of South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement. If you’ve never lived in the home or are unaware of any defects, you’ll want to sign the Property Condition Disclosure Statement.

If you’re working with a Columbia “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all of the necessary documents for you, including this one. However, you can speed up the 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 also verify the property’s title. This ensures you have legal ownership and checks for any liens or claims that could prevent a smooth sale. Some of the most common reasons for title issues include boundary disputes, unknown easements, undisclosed heirs, public record errors, and forgery.

The seller pays any associated fees

While cash sales typically involve fewer fees compared to traditional sales, you may still incur some closing costs, like transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees. For example, South Carolina sellers typically pay the Deed Recording Fee (aka transfer tax) at a rate of $1.85 per $100-$500 on the purchase price of the property.

If you’re looking to avoid closing costs altogether, “We Buy Houses” companies will often pay them for you in exchange for an offer that’s below market value.

Deciding to sell to Columbia cash home buyers

Homeowners have a good chance of selling for cash, as South Carolina remains a popular state to invest in real estate. Whether you decide to compare buyers yourself, enlist the help of a real estate agent, or request an offer from Simple Sale, HomeLight can connect you with top professionals and valuable resources. We’re here to help you streamline your selling experience, leveraging Columbia’s investor-rich market to find a fast and efficient solution for your home sale needs.

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