Sell My House Quick KC | We Buy Houses Kansas City

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  • Cash Home Buyers vs. Real Estate Agents in Kansas City: Which Is Right for You?

    When it’s time to sell your Kansas City home, you have two main paths: work with a traditional real estate agent or sell directly to a cash buyer. Here’s an honest comparison to help you decide.

    Selling with a Real Estate Agent

    Timeline 60-120 days average
    Commissions 3-6% of sale price
    Repairs needed Yes — inspection items, staging
    Showings Multiple, over weeks/months
    Certainty Buyer financing can fall through
    Best for Homes in good condition, sellers with time

    Selling to a Cash Buyer

    Timeline 7-21 days
    Commissions Zero
    Repairs needed None — sold as-is
    Showings One visit or none
    Certainty Cash — no financing risk
    Best for Speed, as-is sales, difficult situations

    The Best of Both Worlds

    At Sell My House Quick KC, we’re licensed real estate brokers — so we can offer BOTH paths. We’ll present you with a cash offer AND tell you what your home could sell for on the open market. You choose what’s best for your situation.

    Get Your Options Today

    Request your free cash offer or call (816) 268-6068.

  • We Buy Ugly Houses in Kansas City: Why Condition Doesn’t Matter

    Think your Kansas City house is too ugly, too damaged, or too far gone to sell? Think again. At Sell My House Quick KC, we buy houses in any condition — and we mean any condition.

    Conditions We’ve Bought Through

    • Foundation cracks and structural damage
    • Fire and smoke damage
    • Water damage and mold
    • Roof failures and leaks
    • Outdated electrical and plumbing (knob-and-tube, galvanized pipes)
    • Hoarder houses
    • Overgrown properties with code violations
    • Termite and pest damage
    • Houses that have been sitting vacant for years

    Why We Buy Houses As-Is

    We’re not looking for move-in ready homes. We’re licensed real estate brokers who specialize in buying, renovating, and reselling properties. We have contractors, crews, and systems in place to handle any level of repair.

    What This Means for You

    You don’t spend a dime on repairs. You don’t clean the house. You don’t even have to remove your belongings if you don’t want to. We buy the property exactly as it is today and handle everything after closing.

    Get Your Cash Offer — No Matter the Condition

    Submit your property info and we’ll make you a fair cash offer within 24 hours. Or call (816) 268-6068.

  • Selling Your House During a Divorce in Kansas City: A Practical Guide

    Divorce is stressful enough without adding a complicated home sale to the mix. If you and your spouse need to sell your Kansas City house as part of a divorce settlement, here’s how to do it quickly, fairly, and with minimal conflict.

    Who Decides to Sell?

    In Missouri (an equitable distribution state), marital property is divided fairly — but not necessarily equally. If both parties agree to sell, the process is straightforward. If there’s disagreement, the court may order a sale.

    Why a Cash Sale Works Well for Divorce

    • Speed: Close in 7-14 days instead of months — so both parties can move on
    • Simplicity: One offer, one closing, one check to split. No months of showings and negotiations
    • Certainty: No buyer financing that falls through at the last minute
    • As-is: No arguments about who pays for repairs
    • Clean break: Both parties walk away free and clear

    How We Handle Divorce Sales

    At Sell My House Quick KC, we’ve helped many Kansas City couples sell their shared property during divorce. We work with both parties (and their attorneys if needed) to ensure a fair, transparent process.

    Get Your Cash Offer Today

    The sooner you sell, the sooner both parties can move forward. Get your free, no-obligation cash offer or call (816) 268-6068.

  • How to Sell an Inherited House in Kansas City Without the Headache

    Inheriting a house in Kansas City can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re grieving, live out of state, or the property needs significant work. Here’s what you need to know about selling an inherited property quickly and without unnecessary stress.

    Step 1: Establish Legal Authority to Sell

    Before you can sell, you need legal authority. If the property went through probate, you’ll need letters testamentary or letters of administration from the court. If the property was in a trust, the successor trustee can sell without probate.

    Step 2: Assess the Property’s Condition

    Many inherited homes haven’t been maintained in years. Common issues include deferred maintenance, outdated systems, personal belongings to clear, and sometimes significant damage. The good news: cash buyers purchase homes as-is.

    Step 3: Choose Your Selling Strategy

    Cash sale (fastest): A direct buyer like Sell My House Quick KC purchases the home as-is, handles cleanup, and closes on your schedule. No repairs, no showings, no waiting.

    Traditional listing: If the home is in decent condition and you have time, listing with an agent may get a higher price — minus 3-6% commission and repair costs.

    Tax Considerations

    Inherited property receives a “stepped-up basis” — meaning your cost basis is the property’s fair market value at the time of death, not what the original owner paid. This can significantly reduce capital gains taxes.

    Selling an Inherited House from Out of State

    Many of our clients inherited Kansas City properties but live in other states. We handle everything locally — from property assessment to closing — so you don’t have to travel.

    Ready to Sell Your Inherited Property?

    Get your free cash offer or call (816) 268-6068. We’ll walk you through every option.

  • Sell Your House in Foreclosure in Kansas City: What You Need to Know

    If you’re facing foreclosure on your Kansas City home, you still have options. Acting quickly is critical — the sooner you explore your choices, the more control you have over the outcome.

    Understanding Foreclosure in Missouri and Kansas

    Missouri is a non-judicial foreclosure state, meaning lenders can foreclose without going to court. The process can move fast — sometimes as quickly as 60 days after default. Kansas requires judicial foreclosure, which takes longer but still has strict timelines.

    Your Options Before Foreclosure Completes

    1. Sell Your House for Cash

    The fastest way to stop foreclosure is to sell your house before the sale date. A cash buyer like Sell My House Quick KC can close in as little as 7 days — often fast enough to beat the foreclosure timeline. We handle all the complexity and can work directly with your lender.

    2. Negotiate a Short Sale

    If you owe more than your home is worth, your lender may accept a short sale — selling for less than the mortgage balance. This takes longer (3-6 months) and requires lender approval.

    3. Loan Modification

    Contact your lender about modifying your loan terms. This can reduce payments but doesn’t address the underlying situation if you need to sell.

    Why Speed Matters

    Every day counts in foreclosure. A foreclosure on your credit can drop your score 100-150 points and stay on your record for 7 years. Selling before foreclosure completes protects your credit and puts cash in your pocket.

    We Help Kansas City Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

    As licensed real estate brokers, we’ve helped hundreds of Kansas City families avoid foreclosure by closing fast. Get your free cash offer today or call (816) 268-6068.

  • How to Sell Your House Fast in Kansas City: The Complete 2026 Guide

    If you need to sell your house fast in Kansas City, you have more options than you might think. Whether you’re facing foreclosure, going through a divorce, dealing with an inherited property, or simply need to relocate quickly, this guide walks you through every path available to Kansas City homeowners in 2026.

    Option 1: Sell Directly to a Cash Buyer

    The fastest way to sell your Kansas City house is to work with a direct cash buyer like Sell My House Quick KC. As licensed real estate brokers in both Missouri and Kansas, we can make you a fair cash offer within 24 hours and close in as little as 7 days.

    Best for: Homeowners who need speed, certainty, and zero hassle. No repairs needed, no showings, no agent commissions.

    Option 2: List with a Real Estate Agent

    If you have time (typically 2-4 months) and your home is in good condition, listing with an agent can maximize your sale price. Keep in mind you’ll pay 3-6% in commissions plus repair and staging costs.

    Best for: Homeowners with equity, time, and a home in good condition.

    Option 3: For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

    You can list your home yourself to avoid agent commissions, but you’ll handle all marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork. FSBO homes typically sell for less than agent-listed homes.

    Why Kansas City Homeowners Choose Cash Offers

    In the Kansas City market, cash offers provide unique advantages:

    • Speed: Close in 7-14 days vs. 60-90 days with traditional sales
    • Certainty: No financing contingencies that can fall through
    • As-is: No repairs, cleaning, or staging required
    • Zero fees: No agent commissions or closing costs

    Common Situations Where Selling Fast Makes Sense

    Kansas City homeowners sell fast for many reasons: foreclosure, divorce, inherited property, job relocation, landlord burnout, houses needing major repairs, code violations, or simply wanting to move on quickly.

    Ready to Get Your Cash Offer?

    If you’re ready to sell your Kansas City house fast, get your free, no-obligation cash offer today. We’re licensed MO and KS real estate brokers with 825+ five-star Google reviews. Call or text (816) 268-6068.

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  • How to Get Your House Ready to Sell

    How to Get Your House Ready to Sell

    It is time to sell!

    Whether you think the market is right or you simply need to relocate, or you just got that amazing news that your family is growing and you need to increase your square footage, you are ready to sell your house. 

    It seems simple enough. You’ve decided to sell. You think your house should sell quickly and painlessly, but as you start combing through the lists of realtors online or in your phone book (if you’re old school), you start to wonder, “Wait a minute, how do I get my house ready to sell?”

    In this article, we’re going to cover a variety of techniques that will help you prepare your house for its sale. Please note that there is no “One size fits all” process for getting your house ready. Each home is unique and each family is unique. You’ll need to consider the age of your home, the condition it’s in, and the neighborhood you live in to help you accurately assess the steps you need to take. 

    However, when it’s all said and done, no matter whether you’d like to list your house in a week, a month, or just as soon as possible, the following steps can help you get your house in peak condition for its sale. 

    How to get your house ready to sell fast? 

    If you do a general Google search, you’ll most likely find this article by HGTV {Click Here} where they lay out a list of ten necessary steps that you need to complete before listing your home. These cover the basics from decluttering, improving your landscaping, keeping a clean house, and removing foul odors that might make potential buyers (literally) turn up their noses at your house. 

    But let’s dig a little deeper and start from the beginning. And, for simplicity’s sake, let’s assume that you’ve never sold a house before. This is all new to you and honestly, you had no idea that there were “steps needed” to get your house ready for a sale. 

    Step One – Do your research

    Make sure that you have a general understanding of where the real estate market currently stands and how fast (or slow) houses are selling in your neighborhood. 

    Step Two – Compare your property

    Be honest with yourself. How does your house compare to the other houses in the neighborhood? Do you stand far apart from the other houses – either for better or for worse? Consider this as you move forward. 

    Step Three – Declutter and then Declutter again!

    This is one of the most powerful moves you can make to speed up the sale of your house. Potential buyers want to imagine themselves in your house and seeing your furniture, knick knacks, and family pictures everywhere really makes that difficult. You can rent out a storage unit, utilize your storage spaces, etc. But getting that clutter and decor out of there will really help. 

    Step Four – Are there any projects you need to complete to improve your home? 

    Are some rooms looking a little run down? Consider painting, touching up trim, replacing burnt out lightbulbs, etc. If you have huge projects that could affect the sale of your home, a realtor will let you know. (Such as a toilet that doesn’t work, horrendously dirty and stained carpet, etc)

    Step Five – Deep Clean Your House!

    Now that your home projects are completed, it’s time to clean your house! If you have extra money and want to hire a cleaning service, this will save you time and effort. Bring them in for a one time super deep clean of your entire house. That will make it easier for you to maintain throughout the house showings and open houses. Getting rid of the cobwebs, dust bunnies, and any grease or grime will go a long way in making your home look enticing to potential buyers. 

    Step Six – Contact your realtor for a once over. 

    Consider your realtor your best resource throughout this process. They’ve (hopefully) sold a lot of houses and have a good idea of what sells a house and what isn’t necessary. Bring them in to take a look before they schedule a photographer to take pictures of your home. They’ll give you a final checklist if there’s anything else you need to complete prior to listing your home. 

    Step Seven – Listen to the feedback you get from home showings. 

    You may not always get feedback, but a lot of realtors communicate between one another. Your realtor will most likely get a courtesy follow up from the realtor who toured your home with your potential buyers. If there were complaints, they’ll let you know and you can consider whether or not that’s something you should address before another home showing. 

    Now, let’s speed up the process a bit!

    How to get your house ready to sell in 30 days!

    You’ve got 30 days to get your house ready to sell. Maybe you have to relocate within the month, you’ve got a baby who’s due any day, or you’re already under contract on another house and you need to get yours sold as quickly as possible. 

    How can we streamline the above task list and make it a little easier to accomplish in a quick fashion? Well, let’s start at the beginning again.

    Step One – Quick Research

    Take an hour or so to do some quick research, or maybe just contact your realtor to fill in any blanks about the real estate market and your neighborhood. 

    Step Two – Declutter

    Get as much as you can out of sight. You could put it in the attic or stack it in your garage, but try to remove as much as you can. 

    Step Three – Deep Clean Your House!

    You still need to thoroughly complete this task – especially if you don’t have time to give your house a full on facelift. Hire a cleaning team to come in to really save on time. You could use the time you save to finish your research, finalize documents with your realtor, etc. 

    Step Four – Contact your realtor for a once over

    They’ll be doing this anyway, so there’s no need to skip. Lean on their feedback and tackle any suggestions they make to the best of your abilities within this 30 day period. 

    Step Five – Listen to the feedback you get from home showings.

    Tackle what you can as you can based on the feedback you receive. Funny smell coming from the bathroom? Clean again and consider some tabs for the toilet, or run some vinegar and baking soda through your drain with a kettle of boiling water. Do your best to keep the house clean – even if it’s just on a superficial level. 

    How to get your house ready to sell in a week!

    You want to list your house THIS WEEK? Roll up your sleeves, crank up the music, and get ready to put in full sixteen hour days in your home!

    Step One – Declutter

    Tidy up as much as you can and pack as much as you can within that week – like you would for an Air BNB. Try to remove personalized items if nothing else and make each room look as attractive as possible. 

    Step Two – Deep Clean Your House!

    You’re probably not going to get a cleaning in here on such short notice, but you can try. If not, rely on a Google Search for a deep clean checklist, like the one Here. Sweep, mop, dust, sanitize, and vacuum. Get it all as clean as you can. 

    Step Three – Contact your realtor for a once over. 

    You won’t have time for projects, but they may give you some items to work on while you’re still showing the house. Do what you can. 

    Step Four – Listen to the feedback you get from home showings. 

    Continue to clean and declutter between home showings. If there is some huge negative item that you keep hearing about from home showings, take a day off to fully tackle that project. 

    Final Thoughts about your “How to Get Your House Ready to Sell” Checklist

    Each home is unique. There’s a good chance that as you’re reading this article, you already have a good idea of what projects you need to tackle before listing your house on the MLS. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed, know that you can literally accomplish anything by simply tackling one small project at a time. Knock out the smaller and quicker projects first – give yourself a win. That will give you the motivation and energy you need to keep moving forward. 

    Trust us, we know that it seems like a lot, but the more time you have to prepare your home prior to listing it, the easier time you’re going to have going under contract and closing on your home. This allows you to move, carefree, into your new home and on to your next adventure!

    Best of luck to you in your real estate journey!

  • How Long does it take to Sell Your House?

    How Long does it take to Sell Your House?

    You are ready to sell your house! Now what? 

    You’ve been weighing the pros and cons, looking around to see what types of houses fit into your new budget, and feel that now, at the beginning of 2020, is the perfect time for you to give yourself and/or your family a nice change of scenery!

    Maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Maybe your family is expanding and you need some extra room. Maybe you’re having to relocate due to new employment. Maybe you recently inherited a house that you have no desire to move into. Maybe you’re tired of being a landlord and are ready to sell that house that you’ve been renting out for the past several years. 

    There are a number of reasons you might have decided that it’s time for a change. You already know that there are some things that have to be done before you sell your house, especially if you want the process to go smoothly. If you’re a little ahead of the curve, you might already know what some of the houses in your neighborhood have sold for and how long it took them to sell, and you might even know whether you’re in a highly sought after neighborhood or not and how the current housing market is sitting in your area. You might even have a good idea of what the value of your house is – maybe you went ahead and had an evaluation just to ensure that now really is a good time for you to sell. 

    With all that in mind, you do your due diligence,  feeling pretty confident as you tidy up your home, polish out a few of the blemishes that might discourage buyers, and improve your curb appeal. Then you contact a real estate agent or two, (or three), pick one to move forward with, sign all the necessary paperwork, and get that sign posted in front of your house. You may have even already done some house hunting of your own and found the perfect house for you and/or your family to move into. All that’s left is to get the right buyer in the door and close on that house that you are so ready to be done with. But, that begs the very important question: 

    How Long Does it Take for a House to Sell? 

    According to Realtor.com, “the median home spends 65 days on the market” and that’s from the moment it’s entered onto the MLS until the moment you sign the paperwork and the chosen title company hands the keys over to the new owner. But that number is taking into account every city in every state across America. The market varies from city to city and from year to year. 

    In this article, we’re going to break down the necessary steps that every homeowner goes through when selling their home. This may give you a better idea of exactly how long it will take you to sell a house in 2020. 

    Here are the most common steps you’ll take when selling your home: 

    1. Choose a listing agent

    2. Get your home ready to sell

    3. Market your home

    4. Show your home

    5. Review offers

    6. Counter and/or Accept offer

    7. Go under contract

    8. Schedule an appraisal and home inspection

    9. Deliver seller disclosures and other paperwork

    10. Negotiate requests for repair after inspection report is filed

    11. Sign title and other documents

    12. Close

    Obviously some of those steps are going to take longer than others. Once you go under contract, a closing date is typically set anywhere from 30-60 days depending on the buyer’s preferred time frame. If you have a buyer wanting to speed up the process, that can help, but often you’ll be waiting at least 30 days for the official closing on your house. 

    Generally speaking, the longest of these steps are going to be marketing and showing your home, and then waiting for your closing date. These are steps that you don’t really have much control over. In some cases your perfect buyer is going to be the first person to walk through your front door. In other cases, it might be the twenty-fifth person, or the thirtieth. And once you find your buyer, they may need a little extra time prior to closing to get their own household in order, or they might be pushing you to move faster than you’re comfortable with. 

    If you’re wanting to sell faster than the average time it takes to sell your house, then there are a few things you can do to help speed up the sale of your house, so let’s go over those briefly, since you’re in a hurry. 

    Gather all the paperwork you think you might need for closing ahead of time. 

    You can ask your realtor and/or lender what types of paperwork you’ll need to provide them, your buyer, and the title company with and can begin working on that in advance. A quick Google search can also give you a list of the most common documentation you’ll need to provide. 

    Consider renting a storage unit so you can declutter your home and begin packing in advance

    While this will add to your monthly expenses, it’s a great way to get some of your unnecessary storage and decorations out of your home. This will visually help buyers picture your house is a more neutral setting, allowing them to imagine their own belongings in the house. In addition, it allows you to begin packing far in advance as you can box up some of the items that you can do without for a couple of months. 

    Keep a wide open schedule for house showings

    I know that this can be a real pain. But having a wider schedule for house showings makes it possible for more traffic to come through your doors. You don’t want a potential buyer to settle for another house because they weren’t able to see yours. 

    Enhance curb appeal – this will be the first and last thing potential buyers see

    This is a simple one. Keep it clean and free of cobwebs and dirt. Consider adding some plants or flowers if it’s a good season for it. You could add a fresh coat of paint to your front door, hang a pretty and welcoming wreath, or even just give it a good scrub down and keep your lawn maintained to give your potential buyers a more positive viewing experience. A very simple, but critical, step!

    Respond quickly to your realtor, filling out paperwork as it comes in instead of letting it stack up

    Again, this is a very simple step. Keep an eye on your phone and email for any communication coming in from your realtor and/or lender. They might be asking you to update some paperwork, or they might have an offer for you to review. Regardless, staying on top of correspondence and any tasks they assign you is a quick and easy way to streamline and speed up the process of selling your home!

    If you’re looking for some additional tips on decreasing the time it takes to sell your house, head over to Dave Ramsey’s website where he has a list of five ways to speed up the sale of your house. 

    So, How Long Does it Take to Sell a House?

    Honestly, when it all comes down to it, how long it takes to sell your house on average depends on the amount of legwork you put into the property in advance (or the current state of your house), your price point, the determination of your realtor, the current housing market, and a little bit of luck when it comes to that perfect buyer who’s just as ready to finalize the process as you are. 

    So while the average is 65-68 days depending on which website and year you’re looking at, it’s really going to vary from property to property. It might take you less time and it might take you a little longer depending on the circumstances in your area. There isn’t a single cookie cutter pattern that dictates that “this process takes x number of days and this step takes y number of days.” Yeah, it’d be really nice if that was the case. But like so many questions in life, there is no straightforward and absolute answer to how long it usually takes to sell a house. 

    You can do your best to move the process along more quickly by being open to numerous house showings a day, keeping your home clean and decluttered, responding to your realtor and any paperwork that needs to be filled out in a timely manner, and being willing to move out as quickly as your buyer would you like you to. Maintaining flexibility and a cooperative nature will not only smooth the process out and reduce a few of your stress headaches, but will also speed up your timeline to its maximum efficiency, helping you make your move into a new home!

  • How Much Does it Cost to Sell a House?

    How Much Does it Cost to Sell a House?

    Happy New Year! 

    We’ve officially entered a new decade and for many families, it’s the time to start planning for the future. Your New Year’s Resolutions might be health-related or business-related, but many of you are thinking it’s time to make the move into a new home. The only thing standing in your way is your current home. Even if you’re in a great neighborhood and you’re not concerned about the length of time your home will be on the market, you might find yourself wondering: how MUCH does it cost to sell a house?

    There are several factors to consider prior to estimating an answer to that question. And it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone will have the same experience or undergo the same expenses with the sale of their home. Just because your neighbor sold their house in less than a week or your cousin was able to sell their home without extensive home repairs or staging doesn’t mean that you will share a similar experience. Each home is unique – just like your family is unique. But by the end of this article, you will have a general estimate of what it will cost you to sell your home. 

    The six main factors that contribute to your overall out of pocket expenses that we’re going to discuss are: 

    • Preparations/Home Repairs

    • Staging

    • Monthly Carrying Costs

    • Commissions

    • Closing Fees

    • Taxes

    We’ll go over these individually and then add them all together at the end of the article – giving you the average numbers needed to calculate how much out of pocket expenses you can expect when it’s all said and done. 

    Preparations/Home Repairs

    No house is perfect. And the majority of the time we don’t expect them to be. Setting aside the arguments over whether or not you should paint neutral colors or just allow individuals to see the potential of your home during showings, let’s be honest: there are a few areas of your home that you probably want to work on prior to listing your house on the market. 

    But where should you focus your attention? What updates are really necessary to entice buyers to be interested in your home? 

    According to Realtor.com, you should be focusing on projects that will give you the most return for your investment. A few examples that have shown to often add considerable value to your home are walls and floors, your front door, your outdated roof and/or siding, and your kitchen. 

    If you’ve gone through a real estate agent to list your home, then they will have some great advice on what updates will give you the most bang for your buck. If you’ve chosen to sell your home without the aid of a realtor, then you may consider consulting a general contractor. They’ll be able to give you any problem areas that may present themselves during an inspection or final walk-through that might give potential buyers cause for concern. 

    But even if your house is in perfect condition, take a look at the areas that are going to leave a lasting impression, such as your kitchen and your front door. The door is the first and last thing people will see as they walk through your home – so upgrading to a steel door in a pleasing color is an easy win for you. Painting your walls in a neutral color (a quick Google search will tell you what the best colors of the year are) is also a way to spruce up your house without accruing too much expense. 

    Staging

    If you have already vacated the house you’re selling, then hiring a professional stager may be the right move for you. They can help your home look warm and inviting, as well as giving potential buyers an idea of what the home looks like when it is lived in. 

    However, if you are living in the home while trying to sell it, then staging is something you might consider doing on your own. Start by decluttering your home and removing as much storage as you can. You may need to rent out a storage space for this depending on how much you have. Ultimately the goal is to depersonalize your home as much as possible. You want the people who come to look at your home to be able to picture themselves living there, and that can be difficult if you have family photos hanging throughout the home. 

    Monthly Carrying Costs

    This category plays a much larger part if you have already moved out of the home you’re trying to sell. If you’re still living in your home, then you expect to continue to pay your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, etc. The only extra might be if you’ve hired a professional stager or if you’ve had to rent out a storage unit to help declutter your home. 

    For those of you who are trying to sell a vacant home, your Carrying Costs will have a much larger weight for you, especially if your house sits on the market for an extended period of time. You’ll have to pay to keep utilities going (no one likes to walk through a dark house they can’t really see), continue to pay homeowner’s insurance (which may increase due to the house being vacant), along with your mortgage and any home association fees the property may come with. 

    If you’re in this situation, selling your home as quickly as possible will lower these costs, but you should definitely keep in mind how much extra you’re spending each month your house sits on the market. 

    Commission

    If you are not choosing the “for sale by owner” route, then you’ve signed an agreement with a real estate agent which awards them a commission: a percentage of your sale price, you could expect to see somewhere between 5% and 7%. This is subject to your negotiations with them, but you can expect to reach an agreement somewhere within that range. Depending on the final sale price of your home, this could end up being your highest cost for selling your home. 

    In addition, keep in mind that often times the seller finds themselves paying the buyer’s closing costs as well, which will include their realtor’s commission. Keeping an eye on all these numbers will ensure that you have no surprises on closing day. 

    Closing Fees

    This will vary from state to state, but typically include fees to the title company (yes, they will absolutely charge you per piece of paper they have to print), your year to date homeowner’s insurance owed, etc. For a complete list, you should speak with your realtor as they’ll be familiar with the proceedings. 

    In most states, you’ll also be required to pay for a home inspection prior to closing day so that your buyers can ensure they’re not in for any surprises upon taking possession of the property. And if that inspection turns up any signs of termite damage or other potential problems, you might be looking at additional last-minute expenses. 

    As a side note here, in very rare cases, you may find that you’re so upside down in your own home that you’d end up paying money on closing day just to sell your home. If this is the situation you find yourself in, please get in touch with us. We specialize in buying houses from people who are looking for a quick and painless sale and we will provide you with a fair cash offer within 24 hours of hearing from you. Click here to fill out the necessary information to find out if this is an option for you. 

    Taxes

    Besides your personal property tax, can you expect to pay taxes on any profit made from selling your home? As long as you made under $250,000 (or $500,000 for couples filing jointly), it should be exempt from Federal Income Tax. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t owe local taxes, which may be included in your Closing Costs. 

    For additional detailed tax information for the sale of your home, check out this article from TurboTax. 

    What does all of this mean? 

    Well, in April of 2019, Zillow estimated that when selling your home, you can expect to pay an average of $20,851, mostly because of your realtor commissions and state and federal taxes. 

    Does this mean that’s exactly what you can expect to pay? No, of course not. This is all based on the cost of your home, any home improvements you make prior to listing your home, or any problems that arise during an inspection and final walkthrough. I’ve seen a hot water heater break down on the day of the final walkthrough, forcing my seller to replace it prior to closing day. Bad timing for the seller, but good timing for the buyer. 

    While it’s impossible to foresee everything, by utilizing the above list of categories, average commission rates, and closing cost estimates from your realtor, you should be able to put together a number that is pretty close to what you will pay on closing day. 

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