How Cash Home Buyers in Cincinnati Simplify the Selling Process
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Kelsey Morrison Former EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison Former EditorKelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers with 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.
Looking to sell your property quickly and without all the stress of a traditional home sale? Connecting with cash home buyers in Cincinnati could be your answer. With its affordable housing, growing job market, and steady rental returns, Cincinnati has become a hotspot for both local and out-of-state investors eager to purchase homes in cash.
The city posted some of the biggest increases in investment returns from 2022 to 2023, with profit margins climbing from 54.8% to 61.2%, according to ATTOM, a leading real estate data provider. This could bring even more investors into the fold, benefitting Cincinnati homeowners seeking all-cash offers.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to find reliable cash home buyers in Cincinnati and walk you through the steps to complete a successful cash sale.
Sell Your House Fast in Cincinnati With a Cash Offer
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer on your Cincinnati home through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in as little as 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses.
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 Cincinnati
Cash home buyers in Cincinnati offer fast closings and eliminate the uncertainties of a traditional sale. Let’s explore ways to find reputable cash buyers who might give you a competitive offer for your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
When considering a cash buyer, don’t underestimate the value of an investor-friendly real estate agent. Agents often have connections to credible cash buyers who may be interested in buying your home. By working with an agent-recommended cash home buyer, you can forgo the hassle of researching and vetting them yourself.
If you don’t already have someone in mind, HomeLight can connect you with top agents in Cincinnati. While real estate commissions still apply to cash transactions, an agent’s expert guidance can more than make up for the cost.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
From corporate buyers to mom-and-pop landlords, investors both big and small see the value in the Cincinnati housing market. To attract these buyers — many of whom are equipped to pay in cash — consider advertising your property on investment websites or attending real estate investing meet-ups. You can also request no-obligation cash offers from “We Buy Houses” companies in Cincinnati. Note that cash-for-homes companies are often operated by house flippers who follow the 70% rule, meaning they aim to buy homes at 70% of the after-repair value minus repair costs.
Do your due diligence
It’s important to research and vet cash-for-homes companies to make sure they’re legitimate. Homeowners can use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to verify companies they are considering working with. You can also reach out to the local chapter, BBB Cincinnati.
Reading online reviews from websites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot can provide additional insights into a company’s reputation. Make sure to verify the company’s track record, licenses, and customer referrals to avoid potential scams.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
Choosing a cash buyer with readily available funds is essential. Always ask the cash buyer for proof of funds, which is a document that shows they have the necessary money to purchase your home (typically a bank statement or an official letter from the financial institution). If the cash buyer is unwilling to provide proof of funds, consider it a red flag and work with a more trustworthy company instead.
Inside the Cincinnati cash home buyers market
The Cincinnati cash home buyer market is primarily comprised of real estate investors. However, other types of buyers may also be interested in purchasing your brick Victorian mortgage-free. Let’s explore the different categories of cash buyers and their motivations.
New residents
According to new Census Bureau data, Cincinnati’s population increased by 0.5% from 2022 to 2023, gaining 1,692 new residents. The city also added roughly 20,000 jobs last year and boasts a diversified economy driven by manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and business and professional services.
Newcomers are drawn to Cincinnati for its affordable cost of living, four distinct seasons, and big-city amenities. Some bring their remote jobs with them, while others come for employment opportunities with Fortune 500 companies like Kroger, Procter & Gamble, and Western & Southern Financial Group. Many of these new Cincinnati residents may opt to purchase homes outright with proceeds from previous home sales in higher-priced cities. This presents a valuable opportunity for current Cincinnati homeowners looking for a quick and easy cash sale.
Baby Boomers
Cincinnati residents aged 65 and older make up about 14% of the population. The Queen City ranked 32nd on U.S. News’ Best Places to Retire list and was lauded for its museums, craft breweries, and professional sports teams. Members of this generational cohort are increasingly paying for their homes without mortgages as they downsize or prepare for retirement.
Across the U.S., more than half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) paid all cash for home purchases they made in 2023, as did 32% of Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964). If your Cincinnati home boasts features that are ideal for seniors, like a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance landscaping, or a large entryway, mention them in your listing description. This can attract cash-flush Baby Boomer buyers seeking a comfortable and convenient place to call home.
Property investors
Homeowners in Cincinnati are more likely to find success selling to real estate investors rather than traditional buyers willing to pay in cash. Common types of property investors include institutional buyers, house flippers, buy-and-hold investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers.
In the first quarter of 2024, investors accounted for 18.6% of all home sales in Cincinnati. This marked a 22.1% decline compared to the same period a year earlier, but investors remain active in the market, frequently targeting single-family homes to turn into rentals. These investors are often ready to make quick, all-cash offers, providing a convenient and efficient selling process for homeowners.
Pros of working with a Cincinnati cash home buyer
Cincinnati homeowners seeking a streamlined and efficient sales process can benefit greatly from cash offers. Ahead, we’ll explore the key advantages of working with a cash home buyer.
- Quick closings: Cash transactions can close in as little as a week, compared to a couple of months for financed purchases. This speed is ideal for sellers who need to move quickly or are facing financial difficulties.
- No contingencies: Cash buyers often eliminate common contingencies, such as financing and appraisal, making the sale more secure. This reduces the risk of the deal falling through due to loan approval issues.
- As-is purchase: Cash buyers are usually willing to buy homes as-is, meaning sellers don’t have to worry about making costly repairs or renovations. This can save homeowners both time and money.
- Simplified process: Selling to a cash buyer often involves less paperwork and fewer formalities, resulting in a straightforward sales process.
How to request a cash offer in Cincinnati
If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get a cash offer for your home, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform is a great option. After answering a few basic questions about your property, you can receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours. Once you accept the offer, the sale can close in as few as 10 days. You can avoid the stress of repairs, home staging, and multiple showings, and you have the flexibility to choose a move-out date that works for you — up to 30 days from closing.
It’s important to note that cash buyers generally offer less than what you might fetch on the open market. However, selling traditionally involves costs that can eat up 9%–10% of your sale price. Depending on your circumstances, a cash sale through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform could ultimately be more cost-effective.
How much are Cincinnati cash home buyers willing to pay?
In exchange for speed and convenience, cash home buyers often pay below market value. Many cash buyers, particularly house flippers, follow the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer 70% of your home’s after-repair value minus any estimated repair costs.
Cincinnati’s housing market is currently competitive, which can influence how much cash buyers are willing to pay. When the market is hot, cash offers might be closer to market value due to increased demand. During slower times, cash offers tend to be lower than market value, reflecting the buyer’s increased risk. Homeowners should weigh the benefits of a quick, hassle-free sale against the potential financial trade-off.
What’s the process of selling to a Cincinnati cash home buyer?
Cash sales offer a streamlined and speedy alternative to the traditional market. Here’s a closer look at the typical steps involved.
Complete the Ohio Residential Property Disclosure Form
When selling your home in Cincinnati, Ohio, you are required to disclose certain information about the property. This includes filling out the Residential Property Disclosure Form, which outlines any known issues with the home such as structural problems, water damage, or environmental hazards. Ohio is not a caveat emptor state, meaning sellers must inform buyers of any potential issues.
If you’re working with a Cincinnati “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 submitting the disclosure statement is more of a legal obligation from their perspective.
The buyer runs a title search on the property
To ensure a smooth transaction, the cash buyer will conduct a title search on the property. This process verifies that you have clear legal ownership and checks for any existing liens or claims that might complicate the sale. Common issues uncovered during a title search can include boundary disputes, unknown easements, undisclosed heirs, public record errors, and instances of forgery. Getting ahead of any potential issues prevents delays during the sale process.
The seller pays any associated fees
While a cash sale typically involves fewer closing costs than a traditional sale, sellers are still responsible for certain expenses. These costs can include transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees.
Ohio’s transfer tax is known as the Real Property Conveyance Fee and is charged at a rate of 1 mill, which equates to $1 for every $1,000 of the property’s sale price. All Ohio counties, with the exception of Ross County, charge additional transfer taxes ranging from 1 mill to 3 mills.
If you want to avoid paying any closing costs, many “We Buy Houses” companies will cover them in exchange for an offer that’s below market value.
Deciding to sell to Cincinnati cash home buyers
Cincinnati’s competitive real estate market offers homeowners a strong chance of attracting cash buyers. Whether you choose to vet buyers yourself, work with a local real estate agent, or explore a cash offer through Simple Sale, HomeLight can be your one-stop shop. By connecting you with top professionals and resources, we’ll streamline your cash home-selling experience, helping you take advantage of Cincinnati’s investor-friendly market.
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