Licensed Florida real estate brokerage
What is the difference between a cash offer and listing a house with an agent?
A straight answer from a licensed Florida real estate brokerage — then what you can check yourself and when to bring in a licensed professional. Free consultation: (888) 440-3766.
With a cash offer, Premier Real Estate Group Inc buys your house directly, for its own account, as-is in any condition. When you list with an agent, the agent markets the house to the open market and you sell to whichever buyer's offer you accept.
The trade is price against speed and certainty. A cash offer is usually below what a repaired, well-presented home could bring on the open market, but it removes repairs, showings and most of the uncertainty. Listing on the MLS may net more for a home in good condition, but it depends on the market, the buyer's financing and the inspection.
How the two routes differ in practice
In a direct purchase we are the buyer, not your agent. We give you a written cash offer with no obligation to accept. There are no repairs, no cleaning and no showings. You choose the closing date, which can be as little as 14 days when title is clear, or a later date if you need more time. Because we are the buyer, there is no real-estate commission and no listing fee when we buy your house directly. Who pays which closing costs is written into the offer before you sign.
Listing works differently. You sign a written listing agreement with an agent, who prices the home using comparable sales, markets it, runs showings and negotiates offers. A commission is typically paid, and the amount is negotiable and set in that agreement. Buyers often use financing, so an appraisal, an inspection and repair requests can change the terms or the timing. Insurance can matter too: roof age and condition often decide whether a Florida insurer offers coverage, and that can come up in a buyer's due diligence.
Either route closes through a title company or closing attorney, with a title search, payoff letters for any mortgage or lien, the deed and Florida's seller flood disclosure (s. 689.302, F.S.). A cash sale does not depend on the seasonal market the way a listing does. Its timeline depends on the title, any payoffs, an association approval and, for an estate, the probate process.
What you can check yourself
Your mortgage payoff and liens
Ask your lender for a payoff figure and check the county records for liens. What you owe against the house matters when you compare what each route would leave you.
Open code-enforcement cases
Ask the city or county code-enforcement office whether any case or recorded lien exists. Those are resolved or paid at closing as the local office requires, whichever way you sell.
The home's condition
Walk the house and list the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC issues you know about. Homes in good condition tend to do better on the open market, and homes needing work are where an as-is sale is most often considered.
Association rules
If the home is in a condo or HOA, read the documents for buyer approval and estoppel letter requirements, since these can affect closing timing on any sale.
Comparable sales
Look at recent sales of similar homes on county property-appraiser records. We can also prepare a free comparative market analysis so you can compare the open-market route with a cash offer.
When to bring in a licensed professional
Call us if you are unsure which route fits. We can give you a written cash offer, and if listing on the MLS would likely net you more, we can list the house instead. We make cash offers in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties only. Outside those counties we cannot buy the house, though the brokerage is licensed statewide.
Some situations call for other professionals. For missed mortgage payments or a foreclosure filing, speak with a HUD-approved housing counselor (800-569-4287). For an inherited house, the personal representative needs authority to sell, from the will or the court, and the estate's attorney confirms it. In a divorce, each owner's attorney should review the terms. Tenants' leases generally continue, and deposits are accounted for at closing.
Premier Real Estate Group Inc is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage (BK3314523). When we buy a property directly, we are acting as the buyer for our own account, not as your agent. You are free to have your own agent or attorney review any offer. Not legal or tax advice.
Premier Real Estate Group Inc is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage (broker license BK3314523). Verify at Florida DBPR.
What we do when you ask for a cash offer
- Written cash offer, no obligationWe review the house and your situation and give you a written cash offer. You are not obligated to accept it.
- As-is purchaseWe buy in any condition, with no repairs, cleaning or showings. You pick the closing date, as little as 14 days when title is clear.
- Terms in writingWho pays which closing costs is written into the offer before you sign. There is no real-estate commission and no listing fee when we buy your house directly.
- Closing through a title companyThe title company handles the title search, payoff letters, the deed and the flood disclosure. We coordinate any association approval or estoppel letter.
- Listing as the alternativeIf the open market would likely net you more, we can list the house on the MLS instead.
Related questions
- Do I pay a commission on a cash offer?
- There is no real-estate commission and no listing fee when we buy your house directly, because we are the buyer and not your agent. That applies only to a direct purchase by Premier. When you list with an agent, a commission is typically paid, and its amount is negotiable and set in the written listing agreement.
- Will a cash offer be higher than a listing?
- Usually not for a home in good condition. A cash offer is typically below what a repaired home could bring on the open market, because it trades price for speed and certainty. We can prepare a free comparative market analysis so you can compare the two.
- Can I still sell if the house needs major repairs?
- Yes, we buy as-is in any condition, so you do not need to make repairs or clean before closing. The offer will reflect the condition, and you decide whether to accept it.
- Who pays the closing costs?
- Who pays which closing costs is written into the offer before you sign. Florida's deed and mortgage taxes are set by the purchase contract and are negotiable. The free Florida Doc Stamp & Closing Tax Calculator on this site at /tools/florida-closing-costs shows how they work.
- Do I have to accept the offer?
- No. The written cash offer carries no obligation. You can have your own agent or attorney review it, or call us at (888) 440-3766 for a free consultation.
Get your written cash offer
Tell us the address, its condition and your timing. We'll contact you to look at the house. No obligation.
Licensed brokerage
Premier Real Estate Group Inc
Broker of record Maxim Bohadana, Florida broker license BK3314523
(888) 440-3766