Sell Your House Fast:
Your Options, Timelines, and What to Expect

Hi, we’re Offerpad. We believe real estate is far more complicated than it needs to be. Whether you’re looking to sell your house fast for cash or you’re planning to list, we make it easy to choose the best path forward. This guide walks through each option so you can compare them and decide what fits.

Curious? Get Your Cash Offer Today!

Just complete our quick online offer request form and we’ll send you an estimated express offer and other selling options that may work for you.

How Fast Can You Actually Sell a House?

The fastest path is a cash offer from a direct buyer or cash home buyer, which typically closes in 7 to 14 days with no financing delays. You can also price aggressively with an agent (30 to 60 days) or sell FSBO if you already have a buyer lined up. You have more options than you might think. The right choice depends on your timeline, your home’s condition, and what matters most to you.

Here’s a realistic look at how each method compares:

Method	Typical Timeline	Why It’s Faster (or Slower)
Cash buyer / direct buyer	7–14 days to close	No financing, no inspections, no contingencies
Agent-assisted (priced to sell)	30–60 days	Competitive pricing attracts buyers, but financing still takes time
For sale by owner (FSBO)	Varies widely	No agent delays, but marketing and negotiation fall on you
Traditional listing	90–120+ days	Full market exposure, but the longest path to closing

Across markets where Offerpad operates, single-family homes spend an average of 74 days on the market before going under contract. Add another month for closing, and a traditional sale can stretch past 100 days from listing to keys. That timeline includes prep work, showings, waiting for offers, buyer financing, inspections, and negotiations that can fall apart at any stage.

But not every sale has to follow that timeline. The biggest factor in speed is financing. When a buyer needs a mortgage, the lender controls the timeline. Appraisals, underwriting, and conditions can add weeks or cause deals to collapse entirely. A cash offer removes all of that.

Your Options for Selling Fast

Option 1: Sell to a Cash Buyer or direct buyer

Cash buyers like Offerpad purchase your home directly, usually as-is, with no financing involved. That means no appraisal contingency, no loan approval waiting period, and no risk of the deal falling through because a bank said no.

How it typically works:

You submit information about your home (online or by phone).
The company evaluates it and sends you an offer.
If you accept, you pick a closing date.
You close and get paid. No showings, no open houses, no staging.

What to know:

Cash offers may be lower than what you’d get on the open market with full exposure and competing buyers. That’s the tradeoff for speed, certainty, and convenience.
Fees vary by company. Some charge service fees, some fold costs into a lower offer price. Always ask for a clear breakdown before you commit.
The best cash buyers let you choose your closing date, sell as-is with no repairs, and keep the process simple from start to finish.

When this makes sense: You’re relocating for a job, going through a life change, managing an inherited property, want to avoid carrying two mortgages, or simply value certainty over maximizing sale price.

Option 2: List With an Agent Focused on Speed

If you want market exposure but still need to move quickly, a good agent can price your home to sell fast. This typically means pricing at or slightly below market value to generate immediate interest and competing offers.

What to expect:

You’ll likely need some prep work: decluttering, cleaning, maybe minor repairs.
Showings and open houses are part of the process.
Even with a quick offer, closing still takes 30–45 days minimum because of buyer financing.
Agent commissions apply (typically 5–6% of the sale price, split between buyer’s and seller’s agents).

When this makes sense: You have 30–60 days, your home is in good condition, and you want to test the open market before committing to a cash offer.

Option 3: Sell It Yourself (FSBO)

For-sale-by-owner can work if you already have a buyer in mind (like a family member or neighbor) or if you’re experienced with real estate transactions.

What to know:

You save on listing agent commissions, but you may still pay the buyer’s agent fee.
You’re responsible for pricing, marketing, negotiations, paperwork, and legal compliance.
Without MLS exposure, finding a qualified buyer can take longer. Or it can be faster if you already have someone lined up.
FSBO homes statistically sell for less than agent-listed homes, though the reasons are debated.

When this makes sense: You have a buyer ready, you’re comfortable with contracts and negotiations, and you want to manage the process yourself.

How Offerpad Works

Offerpad is a cash home buyer with nearly 72,000 transactions and more than $21 billion in transaction volume across 1,700+ cities and towns. Here’s how the process works:

Tell us about your home. Fill out a short online form with details about your property. No prep, no cleaning, no repairs needed.
Get your offer. We’ll send you a cash offer along with other selling options that may be a fit. No obligation to accept.
Pick your closing date. If you like what you see, choose a closing date that works for your schedule, anywhere from 8 to 60 days out.
Close and move. We handle the details. Stay up to three days after closing so you don’t have to rush. We also include a free local move (up to 50 miles).

Costs and Fees

We believe in showing you the full picture before you decide:

Fee Type	What You Pay
Service fee	5% of the purchase price
Closing costs	Approximately 1% of the purchase price
Repair costs	None out of pocket (credit adjustment if needed)
Seller concessions	None
Commissions	None — you’re selling directly to us

Every situation is different, and offer prices depend on your home’s location, condition, and the local market. We encourage you to compare your options before deciding.

Get Sold Now. All Cash. Less Hassle.

Just tell us a little about your home and we’ll get back to you in 24 hours.

A cash offer

Tell us a little about your home and we’ll send you a cash offer.

No Showings

No showings, no open houses, no hassles or headaches.

PICK YOUR CLOSING DATE

Stay up to 3 days after so you don’t have to rush to move.

Free Local Move

Sell to us for cash and we’ll throw in a free local move (up to 50 miles).

What to Think About Before Selling Fast

Selling fast is the right call for a lot of people, but it’s worth going in with clear expectations.

Speed and convenience come with tradeoffs. A cash offer gives you certainty: you know the price, the timeline, and that the deal won’t fall apart. But a home listed on the open market with full exposure and competing buyers could sell for more. There’s no universal answer for which path is better because it depends on your priorities and situation.

Consider your timeline honestly. If you have 90+ days and a home that shows well, testing the market first might make sense. If you’re on a tighter clock, a cash offer removes the variables that cause traditional sales to drag on or fail.

Know your bottom line. Before you accept any offer, from a cash buyer or a traditional buyer, understand your net proceeds. Factor in fees, commissions, closing costs, repair credits, and your carrying costs (mortgage payments, insurance, utilities) for every extra month the home stays unsold.

You can explore both paths at once. Getting a cash offer doesn’t lock you in. Use it as a baseline while you evaluate listing with an agent. That way you know exactly what your floor is.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can I close with a cash buyer?

Most cash buyers can close in 7 to 14 days. With Offerpad, you choose your closing date anywhere from 8 to 60 days out, so you’re in control of the timeline.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

Not with a cash buyer. Offerpad buys homes as-is. If repairs are needed after our walkthrough, we handle them through a credit adjustment rather than asking you to fix anything.

What fees should I expect when selling to a cash buyer?

It varies by company. Offerpad charges a 5% service fee plus approximately 1% in closing costs. There are no commissions and no out-of-pocket repair costs. Always ask any company for a full fee breakdown in writing before you commit.

Can I get a cash offer and still list my home?

Yes. Getting a cash offer doesn’t commit you to anything. Many sellers use a cash offer as a baseline and then decide whether listing on the market is worth the extra time and effort.

What happens after I request an offer from Offerpad?

After you submit your information, we review your home’s details and send you a cash offer along with any other selling options that may work for you. There’s no cost, no obligation, and no pressure.

How much does Offerpad charge?

Offerpad charges a 5% service fee plus approximately 1% in closing costs. There are no agent commissions, no seller concessions, and no out-of-pocket repair costs. If repairs are needed, Offerpad uses a credit adjustment so you never write a check for fixes.

How long does it take to close with Offerpad?

You choose your closing date, anywhere from 8 to 60 days out. Most sellers who want to move quickly close within two to three weeks. You can also adjust your closing date if your plans change.

Does Offerpad buy houses in any condition?

Offerpad buys homes as-is. You don’t need to make repairs, clean, stage, or do any prep work before selling. If repairs are needed after the walkthrough, Offerpad handles them through a credit adjustment rather than asking you to fix anything.

Is selling to a cash buyer right for everyone?

No. If you have plenty of time, a home in great condition, and want to maximize your sale price, listing with an agent might be the better path. Cash buyers are best for sellers who prioritize speed, certainty, and convenience.