How to Sell My House Fast in North Dakota: Cash Offer Options

Pros and cons of selling to a North Dakota house-buying company

Selling your North Dakota home to a house-buying company might seem like an appealing solution, but it’s important to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of such a decision. Here’s a quick snapshot of the pros and cons to help you better understand this option.

Amber Carlton is a top-performing North Dakota real estate agent who works with over 71% more single-family homes than the average Fargo agent. When it comes to balancing these pros and cons, she advises sellers to place the most weight on proceeds. “Usually, these [company offers] are way low compared to what you could get on the market selling with a Realtor,” she says, estimating that “$50,000 to $100,000 or lower is common for what we have seen in our market.”

Jenny Downey, another top agent in the Dakotas agrees, acknowledging that selling to a house-buying company “might be a quick solution for you if you’re just not able to get your house in a condition to sell, but you’re also going to see a much lower price compared to if you listed it on the market with an agent.”

Both agents recommend pausing just long enough to get an agent’s opinion before you commit to a cash-for-homes business.

“Always contact a trusted Realtor to see what your property might sell for on the market,” Carlton advises. “In certain situations, [the cash sale] might still be beneficial for the seller; however, knowing what both options look like prior to making a decision is critical.” 

Option 2: Hire a top North Dakota real estate agent

Even when you’re facing a deadline to sell your North Dakota home, partnering with a seasoned real estate agent can be a game-changer. A top-notch agent is skilled in navigating the unique dynamics of the state’s housing market, guiding you toward a quick and successful sale.

Let’s take a brief look at the current market conditions in North Dakota, explore the advantages of selling with a real estate professional, and learn how to identify a top-performing agent in your neighborhood.

How fast are homes selling in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, the median days on market (DOM) — the time from listing to having a signed contract — currently ranges from 58-70 days. For sellers making plans, it’s important to also take into account the additional 44 days a mortgage-backed buyer typically needs to close on a purchase loan.

However, Carlton says the pace at which North Dakota homes sell can vary significantly based on the home’s condition and price point. “Homes under $300,000 are moving very quickly if they’re priced appropriately for their condition,” Carlton says. “The further over $300,000 you get, the more strategic you will need to be in your listing approach, in regards to pricing and marketing.”

Downey adds that some sellers need to adjust their expectations. “Right now, if a house sits for three weeks on the market, sellers are sometimes panicking and thinking that’s a long time, but that’s not really a long time. Looking back historically, and even only back to 2018, [the DOM] was 94 days. In 2008, homes were sitting for six to nine to 12 months.”

Partnering with a knowledgeable North Dakota agent can provide valuable insights into local trends and buyer behaviors.

Is the North Dakota market favoring home sellers?

“We have a surplus of people moving into our market,” Carlton says. “We are a low-tax state with a lot of job opportunities. Our growth has been exponential with our businesses, recreation, commercial, and residential opportunities. This is creating a very real issue with affordable housing in our market with our low inventory. However, this is beneficial for sellers in our market.”

Benefits of selling with a top North Dakota agent

Choosing to sell your North Dakota home with the help of a top agent can unlock numerous advantages, particularly if you’re seeking a swift sale. Let’s look at how these benefits can lead to a faster home sale:

“If you work with a Realtor and price it correctly, you can get your home sold quick, and you’re more likely to net more proceeds from your sale,” Downey says. “You’re going to get a lot more exposure with an agent.”

How to find a top North Dakota real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent to facilitate your fast home sale is essential. That’s where HomeLight’s Agent Match platform comes in. By scrutinizing over 27 million transactions and numerous reviews, we can connect you with top-rated agents familiar with your North Dakota market. Whether you’re aiming to sell swiftly or considering a purchase, let HomeLight introduce you to the most suitable agent for your unique needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your North Dakota house fast

Here are some expert fast-home-sell tips from Downey, all tailored to the characteristics and demands of home shoppers in the Dakotas:

• Price it right from day one: “If a home is overpriced and sits for longer than 10 days, buyers start to get suspicious and start wondering: ‘Is there something wrong — is there a reason why it’s not selling?’ An agent can help you hone in on the right price and avoid overpricing.”
• Declutter and open the space: “The best thing is to remember ‘less is best.’ Get as much unnecessary stuff out [of your home], and show buyers the space. In this day and age, we have pods and storage units and places that we can get rid of clutter quickly.”
• Invite a fresh pair of eyes: “Have a friend or a neighbor go through your house with the eyes of a buyer. Also an agent, and somebody else to look at things that you’re just so used to seeing. They can spot things you don’t think of, and be able to give you some tips.”
• Invest in a fence: “So many people have pets and little ones…and they want to have a yard or a fenced-in area for their pets or kids.”
• Apply a fresh coat of paint: “Just applying a fresh coat of paint is really helpful. If it’s clean and freshly painted, it helps buyers overlook some other things that are negative — that’s a huge benefit when you are trying to sell a house fast.”
• Hire a professional house cleaner: “[A professional cleaner] is going to get things like your ceiling fans, your ovens, things that you might not even be aware of are dirty. The money spent upfront on those things will help you show your house so much better, and net more for a sale price. It’s totally worth it.”
• Improve floor appeal: “If you have outdated carpet, get it cleaned. If you have outdated flooring, offer a full allowance, or some incentive so that you’re overcoming some buyers’ objections right off the bat. Then buyers will think, ‘Oh, it’s got outdated flooring, but they’ve offered to give us a credit toward that.’”
• Be extra transparent: “Have your property disclosure filled out really well, and thoroughly, so that you’ve shown the buyers that you’ve done due diligence, and caring for your house, that you have records of everything.”
• Be the accommodating seller: “If you have paint colors or anything that you can provide a copy of, or your survey to show them where the lot lines are, attach this information to your listing, or put it in a nice folder on the counter…you’re giving them information that’s going to help them make a good decision.”
• Show professional photos: “95% of buyers are making decisions about a house before they even make a showing appointment. They’re looking online at the photos to decide if the house is for them or not. Getting the best photos possible, and even a video to post online will help make the buyer interested to go look at the house.”
• Enhance curb appeal: “You need to trim some shrubs, or you need to get these cobwebs down. Put a potted plant out here, and move your line to your front door. Anything to just increase that first impression.”
• Have property records handy: “Any information that you can provide to buyers, like a list of updates you’ve done, or invoices for work you’ve had done, if you’ve had a new HVAC system put in, or if you have it serviced every year. Have the record [showing] that it’s serviced every year.”
• Stage outdoor space: “A nice outdoor space is a selling key. People want to have outdoor space where they can entertain or have a fire pit to sit around with friends and mingle outside.”
• Order a pre-listing inspection: “I would advise a pre-listing inspection. The inspector can point out the things that need to be corrected or repaired. If you can get those things done before you list your house, it’s much more likely to sell quickly without any hurdles to cross.”
• Leverage the reach of social media: “Top agents focus on exposure through social media, such as posting a walkthrough of the house or neighborhood to capture more of the essence of the property.”

Because the median home price in North Dakota hovers around $298,500, for most sellers, Carlton sums it up this way: “Our market for homes under $300,000 still has very low inventory. These homes sell pretty quickly on their own if they’re priced appropriately for their condition. For homes above $300,000, especially homes above $400,000, sellers will want to price toward the median of their value range and have their home polished prior to going live to sell fast.”

North Dakota home sellers should also consider offering a home warranty, which can provide peace of mind to buyers who may be sitting on the fence, or those dealing with a tight budget and have concerns about affording future repairs.

Timing your sale can also be a consideration. Consult with your agent to select the optimal time to list your North Dakota home. You can also check out HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Ready to sell your North Dakota house fast?

Whether your path involves requesting a cash offer or partnering with a top real estate agent, the central goal remains finding the best solution for your unique home-selling scenario in North Dakota.

• If the clock is ticking and a quick sale is your top priority, a cash offer through a modern platform like HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be your ideal solution.
• On the other hand, enlisting a seasoned North Dakota real estate agent ensures that your house is expertly marketed and priced to sell without delay. HomeLight stands ready to connect you with a top-tier agent in your local North Dakota market.

If you find yourself wavering between a cash offer and employing an agent, why not explore both? By comparing a cash offer from Simple Sale with an agent’s market insight, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Equipped with a deeper understanding, a wealth of resources, and these options, you’re better positioned to steer your fast home sale in North Dakota.

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