How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Tacoma 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 Tacoma looking to sell your house quickly without the hassle of a traditional listing, connecting with a cash buyer could be a good move.
Selling to a cash home buyer in Tacoma offers a faster alternative to selling on the open market, eliminating many common challenges sellers face, such as financing delays or lengthy negotiations. This guide will walk you through how to find reliable cash home buyers in Tacoma, the benefits of selling for cash, and what to expect throughout the process.
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 Tacoma
If you want to make a quick sale, cash buyers can be a great choice. Here are a few ways you can seek out trusted cash home buyers in Tacoma who may be willing to make a fair offer on your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
You may want to work with a real estate agent even if you opt for a cash home sale. Agents often have connections to cash buyers who may be interested in buying your home. Working with an agent-recommended cash home buyer can save you the hassle of researching and vetting a long list of cash buyers in your area.
Additionally, agents can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the process smoothly. If you don’t already have someone in mind, HomeLight can connect you with top agents in your area. While real estate commissions might apply, the peace of mind and efficiency gained from an agent’s expertise can be invaluable.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
Like any big market, Tacoma has a sizeable share of institutional buyers, including companies, corporations, and limited liability companies that buy houses for cash. Search online for “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies in your area.
Keep in mind that house flippers often abide by the 70% rule, meaning they typically offer 70% of the after-repair value of a property minus repair costs. You will almost always get less for your property by selling for cash than you would on the open market, with the trade-off being a much faster sale with less hurdles.
Do your due diligence
It’s important to research and vet cash-for-homes companies to ensure their legitimacy. Homeowners can use the Better Business Bureau to verify companies they are considering working with. Consult sites like Google or Facebook to get a sense of reviews and verify the track record of any company you are considering selling your home to.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
Choosing a cash buyer that can actually afford to pay for your property is important. Homeowners should ask the cash buyer for proof of funds, which typically includes a bank statement or letter from a financial institution confirming the buyer’s available cash. If the cash buyer is unwilling to provide proof of funds, this is a red flag, and you should consider working with another buyer.
Inside the Tacoma cash home buyers market
There are several options for cash buyers, not just “We Buy Houses” companies. Here are some options you might find in Tacoma.
Remote workers
With the rise of remote work, many professionals are moving to Tacoma for its affordable living and beautiful surroundings. These remote workers often have the flexibility to buy homes with cash to expedite their relocation process.
If your home offers a quiet workspace or proximity to essential amenities, it could be particularly attractive to these cash buyers.
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%. 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 Tacoma 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
Homeowners in Tacoma 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.
Buyers in search of lower cost of living
Tacoma is becoming a popular destination for buyers seeking a lower cost of living compared to larger cities like Seattle. These buyers often prefer cash transactions to avoid mortgage interest rates. The city’s reasonable home prices, combined with its appealing lifestyle, make it a magnet for those looking to maximize their purchasing power and enjoy a more affordable way of life.
Pros of working with a Tacoma cash home buyer
Cash offers can be an attractive option for Tacoma homeowners who need a fast sale. 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, 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: The process of 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 Tacoma
HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform offers an easy way to obtain a cash offer for your home by connecting you with the largest network of vetted and pre-approved investors in the U.S. The process begins with you answering a few basic questions about your property. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer.
If you decide to accept it, you can close in as few as 10 days, skipping the usual repairs, prep work, and showings. You also have the flexibility to choose a move-out date up to 30 days from closing.
It’s important to note that while cash buyers often offer less than what you might get on the open market, selling through traditional methods involves costs that can consume 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your priorities, working with a cash buyer might save you money and provide a faster, more convenient transaction.
How much are Tacoma cash home buyers willing to pay?
- Cash offers typically below market value: Cash home buyers usually pay below market value for properties. These lower offers come in exchange for a much faster sale, though sellers will almost always receive less than what their home might be worth on the open market.
- The 70% rule: Many house flippers use the 70% rule, which means they pay no more than 70% of the home’s after-repair value, minus the cost of repairs. This rule ensures they make a profit while covering renovation costs or other overhead.
- Current market competitiveness in Tacoma: The Tacoma housing market is quite competitive, with strong demand and rising home prices. In such a hot market, cash offers might be closer to market value as buyers compete to secure properties quickly, though cash offers will never approach market value.
- Market fluctuations: When the market is slow, cash offers will typically be lower than market value, reflecting reduced competition and the added convenience cash buyers provide to sellers
What’s the process of selling to a Tacoma cash home buyer?
Here’s a breakdown of how the process of selling your home for cash generally works:
Complete any required disclosure forms
When selling your home in Tacoma, you must disclose certain information to potential buyers. In Washington, this involves completing the Seller Disclosure Statement, also known as Form 17. This document requires you to provide details about the property’s condition, any known defects, and past issues such as water damage or structural problems.
If you’re working with a Tacoma “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all of the necessary documents for you, including the Seller Disclosure Statement. 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.
The buyer runs a title search on the property
The cash buyer will also verify the property’s title. 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
A cash sale typically 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. In Tacoma, Washington’s transfer tax is variable, based on a graduated scale that depends on the sales amount 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 Tacoma cash home buyers
- Cash home buyers provide speed and convenience: Ideal for sellers needing a quick sale.
- Various cash buyers: Including remote workers, Baby Boomers, and property investors.
- Benefits of cash sales: Quick closings, no contingencies, and as-is purchases.
- HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform: Connects you with vetted investors for a hassle-free process.
- Tacoma’s competitive market: Allows for a higher chance for cash offers.
Homeowners have a good chance of selling for cash, as Tacoma remains a popular city 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.
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