How to Sell A House Fast in St. Louis: Cash Offer Options

Pros and cons of selling to a St. Louis house-buying company

Undecided if selling your St. Louis home to a house-buying company is the right move for you? To help guide your decision, here’s a quick breakdown of the most significant advantages and potential pitfalls of this approach:

Pros

• Sell fast: Cash sales in St. Louis can expedite the process, potentially closing the deal in days rather than months.
• Skip repairs: House-buying companies typically buy homes in as-is condition, freeing you from costly and time-consuming repairs.
• Easy process: These companies simplify the process, reducing paperwork and complexities.
• No staging or showings: You won’t have to prepare your home for showings, open houses, or handle any staging.
• Flexible move-out dates: Most St. Louis companies allow for adjustable move-out dates.
• No financing delays: Cash transactions eliminate the need to wait around for mortgage approvals.
• Reduced or no closing fees: Many house-buying companies will shoulder most, if not all, of your closing costs.
• Sale is guaranteed: Once you accept an offer on your St. Louis home, the sale is almost always guaranteed, avoiding the contingencies that can delay or kill a traditional home sale.
• Can be a foreclosure solution: If you’re facing impending foreclosure, a quick sale can offer a way out.
• Less work than a FSBO sale: A cash sale is less effort than attempting to sell your home on your own.
• Peace of mind: Quick sales can alleviate pressure and give you peace of mind.

Cons

• Lower offers: You will probably receive below market value for your St. Louis home.
• Less competition for your home: With a single buyer, there’s no chance for competing offers or bidding wars.
• Can face hidden fees: Some companies may include undisclosed fees in their initial offer.
• Not all companies are reputable: Beware of unethical companies that may be operating in St. Louis.
• A potential risk for scams: Do your research and make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate buyer.
• You give up control: The buyer dictates the terms of the sale, leaving you with less control.
• No negotiations: Often, the initial offer is the final offer, so you lose the chance to negotiate.

Option 2: Hire a top St. Louis real estate agent

Even when the clock is ticking to sell your St. Louis house, partnering with a seasoned real estate agent can be a game-changing decision. An experienced agent possesses a deep understanding of the St. Louis housing market, steering you toward a faster and more prosperous sale.

St. Louis agent Nick McGeehon is part of the top-selling Krause Basler Team, which works with 80% more single-family homes than average local agents. According to McGeehon, working with a real estate consultant not only helps you determine pricing, timeline, and what updates need to be made to your home’s current condition, but it also is a marketing strategy to create competition and secure the best price and terms for your sale.

Let’s take a quick look at the current market trends in St. Louis, the advantages of selling with a real estate agent, and how to pin down a top-tier professional in your local area.

How fast are homes selling in St. Louis?

As of September 2024, the median days on market (DOM) in St. Louis is 29 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 secure their purchase loan and officially close the process, bringing the total selling timeline to roughly 73 days.

Currently, the median home price in St. Louis is $295,000, while the inventory level hovers around 1.9 months. This indicates a strong seller’s market in which homes are moving rapidly, and demand still outweighs supply.

Here is a snapshot of current real estate conditions in St. Louis:

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

Data source(s): St. Louis Realtors, World Population Review

Benefits of selling with a top St. Louis agent

One of the best ways to ensure a speedy home sale is to work with a top St. Louis real estate agent. They possess the knowledge and expertise that can not only facilitate a rapid sale but also secure a higher price for your property. Let’s look at some of the key benefits that make parnerting with an experienced agent in St. Louis a wise decision.

• Ability to sell for more: A seasoned agent can leverage their understanding of the local St. Louis market to help you set an optimal price that attracts buyers and maximizes your returns.
• Can generate a speedy sale: Through their extensive network and marketing strategies, a top agent can quickly find interested buyers for your home.
• Accurate, effective pricing: With a deep understanding of market dynamics and pricing trends in St. Louis, a seasoned agent can help you price your home effectively to ensure a fast sale.
• Professional negotiation skills: Top agents have fine-tuned negotiation skills that can accelerate the sale process and secure a favorable deal for you.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced St. Louis agent can guide you through the selling process, answering any questions and easing concerns.
• Will know what to fix and not fix: A knowledgeable agent can advise you which repairs or improvements are essential in the St. Louis market do you don’t waste time on unnecessary renovations.
• Elevated marketing: A top St. Louis agent will use professional marketing techniques, such as high-quality photography and targeted advertising, to reach a broader audience quickly.
• Contract savviness: Seasoned agents are adept at handling real estate contracts, working to secure the best terms while speeding up the closing process.
• Can manage documents and disclosures: Handling paperwork and disclosures can be time-consuming. A top-rated  St. Louis agent can swiftly manage these tasks, freeing up your time.
• Network of skilled professionals: Locally connected agents have a network of trusted professionals, such as inspectors, contractors, and lawyers in St. Louis, ensuring any necessary tasks are completed efficiently.

Even if you are leaning toward requesting a cash offer for your St. Louis home, top professionals like McGeehon recommend you consult with an agent first.

“We provide a consultative approach and make sure that you know all your options — whether that is a cash buyer, whether that’s the open market sale, or whether it’s any other type of iBuyer —  so you feel empowered to make the best decision for you and your family.”

How to find a top St. Louis real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent in St. Louis can make all the difference in a swift and profitable home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is designed to help. By analyzing 27 million real estate transactions and thousands of reviews, we can connect you with top-rated professionals who know the ins and outs of the St. Louis market. Whether you’re selling your home or looking to buy a new one, let HomeLight help you discover the perfect agent for your needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your St. Louis house fast

Top real estate agents in St. Louis know how to market a property for a rapid sale. Below are some insider tips recommended by leading agents, tailored to St. Louis’s unique lifestyle and market conditions:

• Capitalize on your home’s energy efficiency: Missourians are increasingly conscious of energy efficiency. Highlight any energy-saving features of your home, from solar panels to efficient heating and cooling systems.
• Stage an inviting home office: McGeehon points out that a remote workspace can be a selling point for buyers. “People want a home office. Home offices have now become a thing that people want access to, and sometimes that’s one, if not two because remote work is still here.” You can also hire a professional home stager to do a walkthrough and provide further recommendations.
• Showcase garden- or farm-friendly features: If your property has agricultural potential, emphasize it. St. Louis’s rich farming history can attract buyers looking for homes with garden spaces or room for small-scale farming.
• Prioritize outdoor spaces: Highlighting your home’s outdoor spaces is more important than ever. “Outdoor space we’re seeing make a comeback, even in having pools as a benefit, where five years ago a pool may have been a detriment or not a selling feature,” says McGeehon. Show off your property’s patio, deck, gardens, and any additional outdoor features.
• Emphasize proximity to local attractions: Highlight your home’s location in relation to St. Louis’s renowned cultural landmarks, like the Gateway Arch.
• Get a pre-listing home inspection: Top agents like McGeehon recommend conducting a professional home inspection, radon test, and termite inspection before listing. However, check with your agent about seller disclosure rules in Missouri.
• Use professional photography: Especially in St. Louis’s increasingly competitive market, high-quality, professional photos can help your listing stand out and attract more potential buyers.
• Consider timing: St. Louis’s housing market can fluctuate seasonally. Consult with your agent to choose the optimal time to list your home. You can also check out HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Ready to sell your St. Louis house fast?

The path to a quick sale depends on your unique needs and priorities.

• If speed is most important, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be your ticket to a fast, streamlined transaction in St. Louis.
• On the other hand, if you’re looking to optimize your profits, engaging an experienced real estate agent who knows the St. Louis market well can ensure your home is marketed effectively and priced to sell. HomeLight can connect you with top-rated agents in the STL.

Still undecided between a cash offer or working with an agent? It’s worth considering both options. Seeing a cash offer from Simple Sale next to an agent’s opinion can give you a comprehensive look into your choices.

Equipped with expert knowledge, helpful resources, and a variety of actionable strategies, you’re now well-prepared to navigate a fast home sale in St. Louis.

If you’re trying to sell your home fast in St. Louis 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.