Selling a home can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or you’re dealing with a difficult situation, such as hoarding, foreclosure, extensive repairs, or probate. You probably have a lot of questions and, with so many options for selling your home and ever-changing laws, it’s critical to get answers from someone well-informed and who you can trust.
For more than 25 years, Laurel has worked with Sacramento homeowners in all kinds of circumstances and many of them ask the same questions before deciding how to sell.
Below are real questions from real homesellers, answered clearly and honestly to help you feel more confident about your next steps when selling your California home.
Do I need to make repairs before selling my house?
Not always. While some sellers choose to make repairs to attract more buyers with a traditional sale through a real estate agent, homeowners can choose to sell their home as-is, especially if repairs are costly, time-consuming, or stressful.
If your home needs major work, such as roof repairs, foundation issues, outdated systems, or significant cosmetic updates, selling as-is could save you money and time. Laurel regularly helps sellers who don’t want to deal with repairs, contractors, inspections, or renovation delays by purchasing homes as-is for cash.
Basically: It depends. The “best” choice for you depends on your timeline, budget, and goals.
How long does it usually take to sell a house?
The timeline for selling your home will vary greatly depending on how you sell.
- Traditional listing with a realtor: Can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, especially if repairs, showings, and buyer financing are involved, or if there is limited interest in your home. The average time to sell your home in the state of California is 81 days.
- Cash sale: A cash sale can close much faster, sometimes even in as little as a few weeks.
When you sell your home to a cash buyer like Laurel Buys Houses, you close and move out when you’re ready, and we endeavor to make the sale as painless, simple, and quick as we can.
Can I sell my house if it is inherited or in probate?
Yes. This is a very common situation and we help dozens of people sell their inherited homes every year.
Inherited homes often come with emotional and legal considerations, including probate requirements, multiple heirs, and properties that haven’t been updated in years and may not be in good condition to sell the traditional way without first doing repairs and updates.
Laurel Buys Houses has the resources to help you through the complicated process of probate in California and will buy your inherited property as-is for cash.
Do I need to clean out everything before selling my home?
Not necessarily. Many sellers worry about clearing out years of belongings, especially in cases involving downsizing, hoarding, or estate properties.
However, depending on how you sell, you may be able to:
- Leave unwanted items behind
- Skip deep cleaning or staging
- Avoid hiring junk removal services
Laurel can walk you through what’s truly necessary and what isn’t when you sell your home.
How much money will I actually walk away with when I sell my home?
This is one of the most important questions and also one of the hardest to answer without looking at the full picture.
Your net proceeds when selling your home depend on:
- Your mortgage balance
- Closing costs and fees
- Any liens or back taxes
- How you choose to sell
Right from the start, when you call Laurel Buys Houses, we’ll be entirely transparent and explain clearly, in plain language, what you can expect to earn. Our cash offers are always fair and we’ll walk you through exactly how we got the numbers.
Every situation is unique. Whether you’re facing a tight timeline, a complicated property, or just have a lot of unanswered questions, getting clear information can make all the difference.
If you’re wondering what selling might look like for your specific situation, Laurel is always happy to help you talk it through.
Call us today at (916) 476-2381 if you have any questions about selling your Sacramento home for cash.