How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Lafayette 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.
Selling your house in Lafayette doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. If you need to make a quick sale, finding a cash home buyer might be a good fit if you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free sale.
This guide will go over some practical steps for locating cash home buyers in Lafayette, explain the benefits of working with them, and walk you through the process from start to finish. Though Layfatte’s housing market is slowing down compared to last year, it may still be worth considering a cash home buyer to sell your home quickly and easily.
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 Lafayette
Looking to sell your home fast and easily? Cash buyers can be a great option. Here are some ways to find trusted cash home buyers in Lafayette who may make a fair offer on your property.
1. Work with a reputable local real estate agent
A real estate agent can connect you with reliable cash buyers, saving you the hassle of vetting them yourself. Agents have networks and resources that make the process smoother. If you need help finding an agent, HomeLight can connect you with top professionals in Lafayette. While there are real estate commissions, the ease and security they provide can be invaluable.
2. Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
Lafayette has many institutional buyers looking for investment properties. To attract these buyers, list your property on investment websites and attend local real estate events. You can also search for “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies, but be aware that house flippers typically follow the 70% rule, offering 70% of the property’s after-repair value minus repair costs.
3. Do your due diligence
Research cash-for-homes companies to ensure they are legitimate. Use the Better Business Bureau and read reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot. Check the company’s track record, licenses, and customer referrals to confirm their credibility.
4. Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
Always ask cash buyers for proof of funds to ensure they have the financial resources to purchase your home. If a buyer is unwilling to provide this, it’s a red flag, and you should consider other options.
Inside the Lafayette cash home buyers market
Lafayette’s cash home-buying market is largely driven by real estate investors, but other groups may buy your home mortgage-free. Let’s explore who these cash buyers are and what motivates them.
New residents
Cities like Lafayette often attract new residents looking for a more affordable cost of living. These buyers often have the means to purchase homes without a mortgage.
Baby Boomers
In February 2024, 33% of U.S. homebuyers had all-cash sales, the highest share in nearly a decade. More than half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) paid all cash for home purchases in 2023. If your Lafayette house has features like a first-floor primary suite or low-maintenance outdoor space, you’ll want to focus on these in the listing description to attract these buyers.
Property investors
Selling to real estate investors can be more successful than selling to traditional buyers. Investors, including institutional buyers, house flippers, and iBuyers, often make quick offers and close deals swiftly. Lafayette’s real estate market attracts these investors due to its rental income potential and property appreciation.
Pros of working with a Lafayette cash home buyer
Cash offers can be an attractive option for Lafayette homeowners seeking an efficient and easy sales process. Here are some of the key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:
- 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, which can significantly speed up the timeline.
- 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 Lafayette
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 process: After answering a few basic questions about your home, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours.
- Fast closing: If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days.
- Convenience: Skip the repairs, prep work, and endless showings, and choose a move-out date that works for you — up to 30 days from closing.
- Cost considerations: 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 Lafayette cash home buyers willing to pay?
Cash home buyers often pay below market value for properties in exchange for speed and convenience. This is especially true for house flippers who follow the 70% rule, offering 70% of the home’s after-repair value minus repair costs.
The Louisiana housing market is currently not very competitive; home sales are down year-over-year, and prices remain elevated. Given the current conditions, offers from house-buying companies might be lower than what you could get on the open market.
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 can sometimes range from 80% to 85% of the ARV of the property.
What’s the process of selling to a Lafayette 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 Louisiana Property Disclosure Statement
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 Louisiana Property Disclosure Document
In Louisiana, sellers are required to disclose known material defects of their property using the Louisiana Residential Property Disclosure Document. This document covers various aspects of the home’s condition, including the roof, foundation, plumbing, and electrical systems.
If you’re working with a Louisiana “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all the necessary documents, including the disclosure form. However, you can speed up the process by completing it in advance. 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 verify the property title. This ensures you have legal ownership and checks for any liens or claims that could prevent a smooth sale. Common 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, Louisiana sellers typically pay the Real Property Transfer Tax at a rate of $1.10 per $1,000 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 Lafayette cash home buyers
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 Lafayette’s investor-rich market to find a fast and efficient solution for your home sale needs.
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