How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Hampton Roads for a Hassle-Free Home Sale
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Joseph Gordon EditorCloseJoseph Gordon Editor
Joseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
If you’re a homeowner in Hampton Roads needing to sell your house quickly, you should consider a cash home buyer. A cash buyer will usually purchase your property in a matter of days and help you forgo the hassle of selling via the traditional real estate market.
Managing your home sale in the current real estate market can be challenging, but selling to a cash buyer is a simple alternative. In this guide, we’ll provide you with the essential steps to find and work with cash home buyers in Hampton Roads, what entities might purchase your home, and show you how the cash home buying process works.
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 Hampton Roads
Looking to sell your home fast and easily? Cash buyers can be a great option. Here are a few ways to find a trusted cash home buyers in Hampton Roads who may be willing to make a fair offer on your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
- Connections to cash buyers: Agents often know cash buyers interested in purchasing homes quickly.
- Time-saving: Avoid the hassle of vetting numerous cash buyers.
- Trustworthy recommendations: Agent-recommended buyers are likely to be reputable.
- Expert assistance: HomeLight can connect you with top agents if you don’t have one in mind.
- Commissions: Be aware that agents charge real estate commissions, but their expertise can streamline the process.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
- High share of institutional buyers: Hampton Roads attracts companies and corporations that buy houses for cash.
- Investment websites: Post your property on sites frequented by investors.
- Real estate events:Attend local events to connect with potential cash buyers.
- Search online: Look for “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies, keeping in mind that house flippers follow the 70% rule.
Do your due diligence
- Research legitimacy: Verify companies through the Better Business Bureau.
- Read reviews: Check reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
- Verify track record: Ensure the company has a solid history, proper licenses, and positive customer referrals.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
- Ensure funds availability: Request proof of funds from the buyer to confirm they can purchase your home.
- Red flags: If a buyer refuses to provide proof of funds, consider it a warning sign and seek a more reliable buyer.
Inside the Hampton Roads cash home buyers market
Hampton Roads’ cash home-buying market is primarily fueled by real estate investors, but there other groups who might be willing to buy your home without a mortgage. Here are some of the most common types of cashbuyers you can expect:
New residents
- Hampton Roads often attracts transplants from other states who want to live near the coast or military personnel, as it it is home to several military bases.
- Professionals relocating for jobs and retirees seeking a quieter enviroment.
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.
- More than half of older Boomers (those aged 68-76) paid all cash for home purchases in 2023.
- Features that often appeal to baby boomers include a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways and hallways. These are worth highlighting in the listing description to attract older buyers willing to pay cash.
Property investors
- Homeowners in Hampton Roads are more likely to find success selling to property investors.
- These include institutional buyers, house flippers, buy-and-hold investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers.
- Investors offer cash to close deals quickly.
Pros of working with a Hampton Roads cash home buyer
Cash offers can be an attractive option for Hampton roads homeowners seeking a fast and easy transaction. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Quick closings: Selling to a cash buyer often means you can close the deal faster than traditional financing, often within days or weeks. This is because there’s no waiting for the buyer to secure a mortgage.
- No contingencies: Cash sales typically come with fewer contingencies, if any. This means the sale is less likely to fall through due to financing issues or other common contingencies like home inspections.
- As-is purchase: Cash buyers often purchase homes as-is, meaning you won’t need to spend money or time on repairs or upgrades before the sale. This can be particularly advantageous if your home needs significant work.
- Simplified process: Selling to a cash buyer is generally more straightforward and involves less paperwork than selling through traditional means.
How to request a cash offer in Hampton Roads
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.
- Quick offers: After answering a few basic questions about your home, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours.
- Fast closings: If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days.
- Convenience: Skip repairs, prep work, and endless showings, and choose a move-out date that works for you — up to 30 days from closing.
Cash Buyer Considerations
- Lower offers: Cash buyers typically offer less than what you might get on the open market.
- Cost savings: Selling the traditional way comes with fees that can eat up 9% to 10% of your sale price, so depending on your needs, a cash buyer could still save you money in the long run.
How much are Hampton Roads cash home buyers willing to pay?
Cash home buyers will typically pay below market value for properties. For sellers, this is usually the trade-off, in exchange for a transaction that is significantly faster than selling on the open market.
Investors often use the 70% rule, which advises paying no more than 70% of the home’s after-repair value, minus the cost of repairs.
Cash offer values will usually depend on a number of factors, but the state of the local market is key.
In a competitive market, cash offers may approach market value due to higher demand and quicker sales. However, in a slower market, cash offers are usually lower, reflecting the decreased urgency and increased risk for buyers.
Currently, Virginia home sales are up 11.4% compared to 2023. Interest rates continue to plague potential new homeowners in the buying market, which tends to be when cash buyers are more likely to step in to pick up the slack.
What’s the process of selling to a Hampton Roads cash home buyer?
Here’s a breakdown of how the cash sale process generally works:
- Complete the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Statement
- In Virginia, sellers must complete the Residential Property Disclosure Statement, disclosing known material defects.
- Virginia follows “buyer beware,” meaning buyers must perform their due diligence.
- “We Buy Houses” companies usually handle the paperwork, but you can expedite the process by filling it out in advance. These companies buy homes in any condition, making the disclosure more of a legal formality.
- The buyer runs a title search on the property
- The cash buyer will verify the property’s title to ensure you have legal ownership and check for liens or claims.
- Common title issues include boundary disputes, unknown easements, undisclosed heirs, public record errors, and forgery.
- The seller pays any associated fees
- While a cash sale has fewer closing costs than a traditional sale, sellers may still need to pay transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees.
- In Virginia, the transfer tax is $0.25 per $100 of the sale price.
- “We Buy Houses” companies often cover closing costs in exchange for a lower offer.
Deciding to sell to Hampton Roads cash home buyers
Homeowners in Hampton Roads have a strong opportunity to sell for cash, thanks to the area’s active real estate market. Whether you’re looking to work with new residents, Baby Boomers, or property investors, HomeLight can connect you with the top professionals and resources you need.
By comparing buyers yourself, partnering with a real estate agent, or using Simple Sale, you can customize your selling experience to fit your needs.
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