How to Sell My House Fast in Akron: Cash Offer Options

Pros and cons of selling to an Akron house-buying company

Deciding whether to sell your home to an Akron house-buying company? To help guide your thoughts, let’s take a look at some of the most significant advantages and potential pitfalls of this approach:

Pros

• Sell fast: Cash sales in Akron can significantly accelerate the process, potentially closing the deal in days rather than months.
• Skip repairs: House-buying companies typically buy homes as-is, freeing you from expensive and time-consuming repairs.
• Easy process: These companies streamline the process from start to finish, reducing paperwork and complexities.
• No staging or showings: You don’t need to prepare your home for showings, open houses, or complete any staging.
• Flexible move-out dates: Most Akron companies allow for adjustable move-out dates.
• No financing delays: Cash transactions eliminate the mortgage approval process and its subsequent delays.
• Reduced or no closing fees: Many house-buying companies will offer to shoulder most, if not all, closing costs.
• Sale is guaranteed: Once you accept the offer on your Akron home, the sale is almost always promised, without contingencies that can kill a traditional home sale.
• Can be a foreclosure solution: If you’re facing potential foreclosure, a quick sale can offer a way out.
• Less work than a FSBO sale: A cash sale is far less effort than selling your home on your own.
• Peace of mind: Quick sales can relieve stress and give you peace of mind.

Cons

• Lower offers: You will typically receive less than market value for your Akron home.
• Less competition for your home: With a single buyer, there’s no chance for bidding wars to occur.
• Can face hidden fees: Some companies may impose hidden fees.
• Not all companies are reputable: Beware of less reputable companies that may be operating in Akron.
• A potential risk for scams: Do your research and make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate company.
• You give up control: The buyer dictates sale terms, meaning you have less control.
• No negotiations: Often, the initial offer is the final offer, leaving you with no room to negotiate.

Option 2: Hire a top Akron real estate agent

Even when you’re on a time crunch to sell your Akron house, teaming up with a skilled real estate agent can be a game-changing decision. A seasoned agent possesses an unparalleled understanding of the Akron housing market, steering you toward a speedy and more prosperous sale.

Let’s take a brief look at the current market conditions in Akron, the benefits of selling with a real estate professional, and how to identify a top-tier real estate agent in your local area.

How fast are homes selling in Akron?

As of September 2024, the median days on market (DOM) in Akron is 32 days. The DOM represents the time between listing your house and receiving a signed contract. Once a home goes under contract, it typically takes an additional 44 days for buyers to finalize their purchase loan and officially close the process, bringing the total selling timeline to roughly two and a half months.

Currently, the median home price in Akron is about $139,000, while the inventory level hovers around 2.1 months. This indicates a market that is favorable for sellers, where homes are moving at a relatively quick pace, and demand still outweighs supply.

Nikki Fanizzi is a top-performing agent in Akron with over 20 years of real estate experience. She’s also an expert in single-family homes, working with 71% more than the average Akron agent.

“It is still a very good time to be a seller. We have very low inventory,” Fanizzi says. “When a house hits the market, if it is priced appropriately and if the agents are doing a decent marketing plan on it, they are selling very quickly and, a lot of times, in multiple offers.”

Here is a snapshot of current real estate conditions in Akron:

	As of September 2024
Median home sale price	$138,900
Days on market (average time from list to contract)	32 days*
Number of closed home sales year over year	-8.4%
Supply of inventory	2.1 months
Population growth year over year	-0.26%

*Does not include the typical 44 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

Data source(s): Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, World Population Review, multiple public transaction sites

 Benefits of selling with a top Akron agent

One of the most certain ways to achieve a quick home sale is through working with a top Akron real estate agent. They possess the expert knowledge and skills that can not only facilitate a speedy sale but also secure a higher price for your home. Let’s explore some of the key benefits that make partnering with a top-rated agent in Akron a smart choice.

• Ability to sell for more: A seasoned agent can leverage their knowledge of the local Akron market to help you set an optimal price that draws in buyers and maximizes your returns.
• Can generate a speedy sale: Through their extensive network and marketing strategies, a top agent can quickly find serious buyers for your home.
• Accurate, effective pricing: With a deep understanding of market dynamics and pricing trends in Akron, an experienced agent can help you price your home effectively to ensure a quick sale.
• Professional negotiation skills: Top agents have sharp negotiation skills that can expedite the sale process and secure a favorable deal for you.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced Akron agent can serve as your guide through the selling process, easing the stress and saving you time.
• Will know what to fix and not fix: A knowledgeable agent can advise you on essential repairs or improvements that can enhance your home’s appeal without wasting time on unnecessary upgrades.
• Elevated marketing: A top Akron agent will use professional marketing strategies, such as high-quality photography and targeted advertising, to reach a wider audience quickly.
• Contract savviness: Top agents are skilled at handling real estate contracts, ensuring all terms are favorable and speeding up the closing process.
• Can manage documents and disclosures: Handling the paperwork can be overwhelming. A top-rated Akron agent can swiftly manage these tasks, giving you back time.
• Network of skilled professionals: Locally connected agents have a network of trusted professionals in Akron, such as inspectors, contractors, and lawyers, who can help complete necessary tasks quickly and efficiently.

Even if you’re considering a cash offer for your Akron home, top professionals suggest consulting with an agent first. Agents often have connections with trustworthy, pre-qualified investors in the Akron area and can guide you through each step of the process. Additionally, if the cash offer isn’t the right fit, you’ll have built a relationship with a reliable agent who can help you list your home instead.

How to find a top Akron real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent in Akron can make all the difference in a quick and profitable home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is designed to help. By analyzing 27 million real estate transactions and thousands of client reviews, we can connect you with a top-rated agent who understands the specific nuances of the Akron market. Whether you’re selling your home or looking to buy a new one, let HomeLight help you find the perfect agent for your needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Akron house fast

Top Akron real estate agents know how to position a property for a fast sale. Below are insider tips recommended by leading agents, tailored to Akron’s distinct lifestyle and market conditions:

• Highlight energy efficiency: In Akron’s cold winter months, energy efficiency is increasingly important. Highlight your home’s energy-saving features, from efficient windows to heating systems, to boost appeal.
• Stage an inviting home office: Have your listing agent and a professional home stager do a walkthrough of your home to give perspective and recommendations on what will make it most attractive to Akron buyers. That can often mean staging a cozy home office space to appeal to remote workers.
• Focus on curb appeal: “I always tell my sellers we have to sell them outside before we even get them inside. You want to make sure that the outside is fresh, and as far as your landscaping, cleaned up fresh flowers,” says Fanizzi. She also recommends touching up the exterior paint for a clean and cohesive look.
• Prioritize outdoor spaces: Highlighting your home’s outdoor spaces is more important than ever. This is a great way for your home to stand out. Show off any patios, firepits, gardens, or additional outdoor features on your property.
• Emphasize proximity to local attractions: Highlight your home’s location in relation to Akron’s renowned cultural landmarks, like the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.
• Get a pre-listing home inspection: Top agents like Fanizzi recommend conducting a professional home inspection, radon test, and termite inspection before listing. However, check with your agent about seller disclosure rules in Ohio.
• Use professional photography: Especially in Akron’s increasingly competitive market, high-quality photos can make your listing stand out. According to Fanizzi, photos are what get potential buyers through the front door. “That’s why the photos are so important, even more so than the videos. That’s the first thing that people are looking at,” she says.
• Consider timing: Akron’s housing market can have seasonal fluctuations. Consult with your real estate agent or use HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator to choose the optimal time to list your home.

Ready to sell your Akron house fast?

Your ideal path to a quick home sale in Akron depends on your individual needs and unique goals as a seller.

• If speed is your main priority, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be your ticket to a quick, convenient transaction in Akron.
• On the other hand, if you’re looking to maximize profits, engaging an experienced real estate agent who knows the Akron market well can ensure your home is marketed and priced effectively. HomeLight can connect you with top-rated agents in the Rubber City.

Still not sure if you should work with a cash buyer or an agent? It’s worth considering both to help you make an informed decision. Comparing a cash offer from Simple Sale with an agent’s opinion can give you a comprehensive look at your options.

Armed with in-depth knowledge, valuable resources, and a range of effective strategies, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle your home sale in Akron with confidence and speed.

---

If you’re trying to sell your home fast in Akron because you’re buying and selling at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program. This innovative buy-sell solution lets you make a faster, stronger, non-contingent offer on your new home and only move once. Watch this short video to learn more.

Header Image Source: (Sean Pavone / Shutterstock)