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

Inside the San Diego cash home buyers market

Real estate investors are some of the largest drivers of the city’s real estate market, but they aren’t the only ones who could buy your bungalow mortgage-free. Here are some other types of buyers that could purchase your home for cash in San Diego.

New residents

San Diego has been a strong market for transplants, primarily due to its strong job market and weather, making it a hotspot for people moving from other states. Many of these new residents prefer buying homes with cash to avoid the lengthy mortgage process and to stand out in a competitive market. This influx of new cash buyers helps keep the local real estate market dynamic and competitive.

Baby Boomers

In February 2024, 33% of U.S. homebuyers made all-cash purchases, the highest in nearly a decade, according to a Realtors® Confidence Index Survey.

Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964) led home sales at 26%, while over half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954), 53% of the Silent Generation (born 1925–1945), and 32% of Younger Boomers paid all cash for homes in 2023.

Features that tend to appeal to Baby Boomers include things like a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways.

Property investors

Selling to property investors often yields better results than targeting traditional cash buyers.

Types of property investors include:

• Institutional buyers
• House flippers
• Buy-and-hold investors
• Wholesale investors
• iBuyers

San Diego sees a high volume of investor purchases due to its lucrative rental market and strong property appreciation potential.

Real estate investors provide a faster, simpler selling process as they typically have cash on hand and extensive experience in real estate transactions.

Pros of working with a San Diego cash home buyer

Cash offers can be a solid option for San Diego homeowners who need a fast sale. Let’s explore the main benefits of working with a cash home buyer:

• Quick closings: Cash sales typically close much faster than traditional transactions because there’s no need to wait for mortgage approvals. This can be especially beneficial if you’re looking to sell your home in a matter of days.
• No contingencies: With cash buyers, there are often no contingencies that could delay or derail the sale, such as financing or appraisal contingencies. This means you can move forward with greater confidence and fewer uncertainties.
• As-is purchase: Cash buyers often purchase homes as-is, meaning you don’t need to worry about making costly repairs or updates before selling. This can save you time, money, and stress.
• Simplified process: The transaction process with cash buyers is generally more straightforward, involving less paperwork and fewer steps. This can make the experience smoother and less burdensome for sellers.
• Reduced fees: Cash sales can sometimes result in lower closing costs and fewer fees, as there are no lender-related charges. This can help you keep more of the proceeds from your home sale.

How to request a cash offer in San Diego

For an easier way to get a cash offer for your home, consider using HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform, which connects you to a vast network of vetted and approved investors across the U.S. By providing some basic information about your property, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours.

If you decide to accept the offer, you could close the deal in as few as 10 days. This process eliminates the need for repairs, home staging, and multiple showings and allows you to select a move-out date that fits your schedule — up to 30 days from closing.

Although cash buyers often pay less than what you might achieve on the open market, traditional selling comes with costs that can consume 9% to 10% of your sale price. Therefore, selling to a cash buyer might still be financially beneficial based on your situation.

How much are San Diego cash home buyers willing to pay?

Cash home buyers typically pay below market value for properties, offering sellers speed and convenience in exchange for a lower price. One common guideline in the house flipping industry is the 70% rule, which suggests that investors pay no more than 70% of a home’s after-repair value, minus the cost of repairs.

San Diego’s housing market is currently very competitive, with high demand driving up prices. In a hot market, cash offers might be closer to market value because buyers are eager to secure properties quickly.

Conversely, in a slower market, cash offers tend to be significantly lower than market value as buyers leverage their advantage to negotiate better deals. This means that while cash sales are fast and hassle-free, they often come at a financial trade-off for sellers and tend to cater to buyers who are institutional investors or those with deep pockets.

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

Here’s a breakdown of how the process of a cash sale generally works:

Complete the California Transfer Disclosure Statement

When selling your home in California, you must complete the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), which is required by state law. This document mandates that you disclose any known issues with your property, such as structural defects, environmental hazards, or legal disputes. The purpose of the mandated disclosure laws is to provide potential buyers with a comprehensive understanding of the property’s condition.

If you’re working with a San Diego “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all the necessary documents for you, including the TDS. 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 title. This confirms that 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

A cash sale involves fewer closing costs than a traditional home sale. However, sellers may still need to cover some expenses, such as transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees. These will vary by location.

In California, for example, transfer taxes (sometimes called Documentary Stamp Tax) are required, with current rates often around $1.10 per $1,000 of the home’s value. 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.

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