Selling your house without making repairs takes different amounts of time based on which method you choose. Through a home auction, you can pick your own closing date and sell quickly since buyers compete with set deadlines. Using a real estate agent takes about 50 to 66 days on average according to NAR research and statistics, though one-third of sales hit delays from buyer financing or repair requests. Fast-cash buyers can close in just a few weeks after you sign the contract since they don’t need bank loans, but they typically offer only 50% of your home’s value. Selling by owner without professional help usually takes twice as long as using an agent because you’ll need to handle contracts and special accounts yourself. Each method has different speed and money trade-offs, auctions bring quick sales through competition, agents provide expertise but face common delays, cash offers give the fastest closing, and selling yourself saves agent fees but needs much more of your time.
How Quickly Can You Sell Your Home Through an Auction Without repairs?
A major benefit of selling through a home auction is having a set sale date. You usually get to choose when the sale closes. This fixed date helps buyers in many ways. They know exactly how much time they have to secure their loan, do their homework, review the sale contract, and sign up for the auction. When auction day arrives, they’re prepared and sure about their offer.
Having a deadline also creates a feeling of urgency. Buyers worry they might miss out on a good deal, which brings more people to bid on your property. This competition can work in your favor when you want to sell your house urgently.
Auctions let you sell your house exactly as it is right now. You won’t face delays from property inspections, countless house tours, or back-and-forth talks with buyers. The process is straightforward, your house gets valued, then goes up for bidding. Here’s the best part: when someone makes the highest bid and your chosen closing date comes, you still have the power to say no if the price isn’t right. Plus, the person buying your home covers all the auction costs.
Selling through an auction can save you both time and money. Your property won’t sit on the market for months. You’ll also dodge ongoing expenses like utility bills, upkeep costs, and repair work that comes with a longer selling process. Companies that buy houses for cash often use similar quick-sale methods.
How Long Does It Take to Sell Your Home Without Fixes Using a Real Estate Agent?
You might want to work with an agent since they’re the most popular choice for home sellers. But how much time will this really take?
Research from industry publications shows that selling with an agent can happen in just 50 days when everything goes smoothly. But other real estate studies found that most homes take between 61 and 66 days to sell. Your actual selling time depends on “what’s happening in your local area, how many buyers are looking, and what time of year it is”. Market data from research centers confirms these timelines vary by region.
The closing process starts when someone makes an offer on your home. It ends when both you and the buyer sign the final sale papers. This agreement covers all the important details you’ve worked out together. It includes things like when the buyer can check out the house and how much deposit money they need to put down right away. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides guidelines on these deposits.
A deposit is money that the person buying your home gives you to show they’re serious about the purchase. This cash gives them time to check the property’s history, get the house inspected, and have it valued before they finish the deal.
Sadly, many things can make your sale take longer when you work with an agent. About one out of every three home sales hits some kind of snag before closing. These problems might include buyers asking you to fix things, not enough people wanting to buy in your area, or an agent who puts their own needs first. The list keeps going. A big chunk of selling time with agents is often spent dealing with money troubles because the buyer has poor credit.
Steps you’ll go through when selling your home with an agent
- Working Out the Deal and Setting Sale Rules: The rules of your sale might include the buyer showing they have enough money, getting the property checked by a professional who looks at its condition, or waiting for the buyer to sell their current house first (this happens more when there are lots of houses for sale but not many buyers).
- Going Back to Change the Deal: Even when you’re selling your house the way it is now, buyers often want to talk about changing their first offer after they find out what needs to be fixed.
- Money Needed to Close: Besides the first deposit, the buyer needs to bring more money to finish buying your house.
- Setting Up a Special Holding Account: A holding account is run by a separate company that keeps all the papers and money safe while you and the buyer work out the sale. They hold everything until both sides finish what they promised to do. HUD provides oversight for these transactions.
- Checking and Confirming Property Ownership: Before the sale can finish, the buyer needs to research who really owns the property. They also look for any debts tied to the house or problems with the ownership papers. Government real estate data can help verify ownership records.
- Last Check of the House: Before buyers finish buying your house, they usually want to know if you’ve done all the big fixes you agreed to, this happens even when you’re selling your house just the way it is.
How Quickly Can I Sell My House Without Repairs for Fast Cash?
You might not want to deal with any hassles and just want money in hand right away. This sounds great, but remember that fast-cash companies often have downsides. So what’s the real timeline with these buyers?
Since businesses that buy homes don’t need a bank loan (unlike regular buyers who get home loans from lending companies), selling this way can be much faster for people who care more about speed than getting top dollar for their house.
After you sign the sale agreement (this means your house is officially under contract), it usually takes a couple of weeks to complete everything. This time lets the paperwork companies and holding firms do their job, clearing any debts on the house, setting up the right insurance, and getting all the forms ready. The FHFA regulates many of these processes.
A real estate investor who buys homes for cash explains that the rest of the sale works much like a regular home purchase. The cash buyer writes up the contract, which shows the price they’ll pay, how much deposit they’re putting down, and when the sale will close. You can choose to sign and take the offer, or you can pay a lawyer to look at the contract more carefully. We buy houses companies follow similar procedures.
Most fast-cash buyers skip the home inspection step, but they often offer only half of what your home is really worth. If they do want an inspection, they might lower their offer if your house needs more work than they first thought. Educational resources about home selling can help you understand fair pricing.
While most cash sales finish without problems, sometimes things come up that make the process take longer.
If your house is part of a neighborhood group with rules, that group might need a month or longer to approve the new buyer. Another thing that affects your closing time is the property search done by the city. This search can take anywhere from a couple of days to a whole month when you sell your home fast for cash.
Fast-cash buyers might do these city searches to find out if your property has any rule violations, or if there are any building permits that weren’t finished or have expired
How Long Does It Take to Sell Your Home Without Fixes When You Handle It Yourself?
You might feel better managing your home sale on your own, or maybe you have special reasons for doing so. This way, you can save the money you’d pay an agent and you’re in charge of everything. While you could make more money this way, running the whole sale without expert help can eat up a lot of your time. So what’s the real timeline when selling your home yourself?
To be honest, if you plan to do everything yourself without having lots of contacts or the bargaining skills of a trained agent, it will probably take you twice as long as it would with professional help. The truth is, these experts have spent years learning all the forms and steps by heart, so they can move things along quickly. Framework homeownership programs offer training if you want to learn these skills.
The two parts that will likely take you the longest without expert knowledge are working out the sale agreement and learning how to set up the special holding account for the money and papers.
Sale Agreement Papers
You can find ready-made contract forms that have “the basic rules and terms that follow the laws in your state”. Unless you’re a property lawyer, using these pre-made forms is your best choice for setting up a home sale with proper dates and required information. Academic real estate resources provide templates and guidance.
Adding special conditions to your contract lets you or the buyer walk away from the deal legally. For instance, if you can’t provide the needed property information by the dates you agreed on, the buyer can leave the deal without getting in trouble with the law.
In the same way, if buyers can’t show they have the money by the date written in the contract, you can cancel the sale and keep the deposit money they gave you to show they were serious about buying. When you need to sell your property fast, understanding these rules helps.
Holding Account Services
Some states make you use a company that holds money and papers during the sale. They check that both you and the buyer do what you promised. For example, you usually need to get ownership insurance for the buyer. This protects them if problems with the property ownership papers show up later. You also have to tell the buyer about any big problems or issues with your house. Get a cash offer to skip some of these complex steps.
Conclusion
Selling your house without repairs doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. You now know four different ways to sell, and each one offers unique benefits. Auctions give you control over timing and bring competitive buyers. Real estate agents provide professional help but may face delays. Cash buyers offer the fastest route if you value speed over price. Selling by yourself saves money but requires more time and effort.
Your best choice depends on what matters most to you right now. Need cash fast? Consider selling your home for cash. Want the highest price? Try an auction or agent. Ready to put in extra work to save money? Sell it yourself.
Take action today by picking the method that fits your timeline and goals. Remember, your house can sell quickly in its current condition. You don’t need to spend months waiting or thousands on repairs. Start by getting your property valued, then choose your path forward. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll have that “sold” sign in your yard. If you need to sell your house fast for cash, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method gets me the most money when selling my house as is?
Home auctions and real estate agents typically get you the highest price. Auctions create competition between buyers, often driving up the final sale price. Agents use their expertise and networks to find qualified buyers willing to pay market value. Cash buyers usually offer the least but close fastest.
Do I really need to fix anything before selling my house?
No, you don’t need to make any repairs when selling “as is.” All four methods let you sell in your home’s current condition. Buyers know they’re purchasing the property with any existing problems. Just be honest about known issues to avoid legal troubles later. Homebuyer education programs explain buyer expectations.
What hidden costs should I watch out for?
With auctions, buyers pay the fees. Agents charge 5-6% commission. Cash sales have minimal fees but lower offers. Selling yourself means paying for marketing, legal forms, and possibly a lawyer. Also budget for closing costs, title insurance, and any property taxes due at sale. When you sell your home fast, ask about all fees upfront.
Can I back out if I don’t like the offer?
Yes, in most cases. With auctions, you can reject the final bid if it’s too low. When using agents or selling yourself, you can refuse any offer before signing contracts. However, once you sign a purchase agreement with any buyer, backing out becomes legally complicated and potentially expensive. Ehome America offers courses on understanding contracts.
How do I know if a cash buyer is legitimate?
Ask for proof of funds before signing anything. Real cash buyers can show bank statements or a letter from their bank. Check online reviews and ratings. Be suspicious of anyone who asks for upfront fees or wants to take over your mortgage. Legitimate buyers never ask you to pay them. Companies that buy your house should provide clear documentation.
