Sell Quickly and Easily With Cash Home Buyers in Atlanta
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Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorKelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She has seven years of editorial experience in the real estate and lifestyle spaces. She previously worked as a commerce editor for World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and as an associate editor for Livabl.com. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and lives in a small mountain town in Southern California.
If you’re considering selling your brick townhouse in the Old Fourth Ward or your ranch-style home in Venetian Hills, cash home buyers in Atlanta can streamline the process, saving you time and effort.
Atlanta’s real estate market, with its mix of historic charm and modern developments, attracts a wealth of investors — both local and from out-of-state — who are ready to buy with cash. Investors purchased more than $1 billion worth of Atlanta-area residential real estate in the first three months of 2024, placing it in the top 10 U.S. markets for investment activity.
This guide will walk you through the steps to find and sell to cash home buyers in Atlanta, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed decision. From understanding local market trends to knowing what to expect in the cash sale process, we’ve got you covered.
Sell Your House Fast in Atlanta With a Cash Offer
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer on your Atlanta home through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in as little as 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses.
Disclaimer: As a friendly reminder, this blog post is meant to be used for educational purposes, not legal or tax advice. HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to your own advisor.
How to find cash home buyers in Atlanta
Selling your home quickly and with minimal hassle is possible with cash buyers. Here are some effective strategies to help you find reliable cash home buyers in Atlanta who might offer a fair deal.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
Even if you’re opting for a cash home sale, working with a real estate agent can be highly beneficial. Agents often have connections to cash buyers who may be interested in purchasing your home outright. This network can save you the hassle of researching and vetting a long list of cash home buyers in Atlanta.
Additionally, an agent-recommended cash home buyer is likely to be more reliable, reducing the risk of scams or lowball offers. If you don’t already have someone in mind, HomeLight can connect you with top agents in Atlanta. Keep in mind that while agents do earn real estate commissions, their expertise and connections can often result in a faster and smoother transaction, making it well worth the investment.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
Alongside traditional buyers, Atlanta’s housing market attracts institutional investors, such as companies and LLCs, who often purchase properties for cash. In the first quarter of 2024, investors accounted for 21.1% of all homes purchased in metro Atlanta.
To attract these cash-flush buyers, consider posting your property on investment websites or attending real estate investing meet-ups. Additionally, you can request no-obligation cash offers from “We Buy Houses” companies in Atlanta. These companies are often looking for properties to flip, adhering to the 70% rule, which means they’ll pay no more than 70% of the property’s after-repair value minus repair costs. Focusing on these investors can lead to quicker sales and fewer complications compared to owner-occupiers.
Do your due diligence
Researching and vetting cash-for-homes companies is crucial to verify their legitimacy. Start by using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to verify companies you are considering working with. You can also get in touch with the local chapter, BBB Atlanta & NE Georgia.
Read through online reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot. Check the company’s track record, licenses, and customer referrals to make sure they’re reputable and trustworthy. Doing this due diligence can help you avoid scams or other difficulties that could delay the sale.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
Choosing a cash buyer with readily available funds is absolutely essential. Ask the cash buyer for proof of funds, which is a document that verifies they have the necessary cash to purchase your home (typically a bank statement or an official letter). If the cash buyer is unwilling to provide proof of funds, consider it a red flag and work with a more trustworthy company instead.
Inside the Atlanta cash home buyers market
The Atlanta market for cash home buyers is relatively diverse. We’ll explore the different types of people and businesses who choose to buy homes with cash, and what drives their decisions.
New residents
Atlanta is a magnet for new residents, particularly those seeking a lower cost of living or job opportunities. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Atlanta’s population grew by over 12,000 residents between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023. This increase ranked Atlanta sixth among major U.S. cities in terms of population growth.
This influx includes remote workers and other professionals relocating from more expensive areas, who often have the financial means to buy homes in cash after selling their previous properties. These new residents are attracted to Atlanta’s vibrant culture, thriving job market, and relatively affordable housing options, making them ideal candidates for cash home purchases.
Baby Boomers
Although Georgia’s Baby Boomer population is low compared to other states, this demographic accounts for 36.3% of all homeowners in The Peach State. Many mature buyers have built up their home equity or long-term savings and are equipped to pay for properties without mortgages.
Across the country, more than half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) paid all cash for home purchases they made in 2023, as did 32% of Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964). If your Atlanta house has accessible features that appeal to the Baby Boomer generation, like a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways and hallways, mention them in your listing description to capture the attention of older buyers willing to pay cash.
Property investors
Homeowners in Atlanta are more likely to find success selling to property investors rather than traditional buyers willing to pay in cash. Property investors include institutional buyers, house flippers, buy-and-hold investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers.
According to an analysis by researchers at Georgia State University, three corporate landlords own more than 19,000 single-family rental homes in metro Atlanta. These investors tend to concentrate their purchases in specific neighborhoods that offer relatively low price points. Atlanta’s high investor activity means sellers stand a good chance of receiving an all-cash offer for their home.
Pros of working with an Atlanta cash home buyer
Opting for a cash offer can greatly simplify the home-selling process for Atlanta homeowners. Here are some key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:
- Quick closings: Cash sales often close much faster than traditional sales because they bypass the lengthy mortgage approval process. This can be particularly useful if you need to sell your home quickly due to challenging financial reasons or a new job opportunity in another state.
- No contingencies: Traditional home sales often come with numerous contingencies that can delay or derail the process, such as financing, appraisal, or inspection contingencies. Cash buyers typically eliminate these contingencies, providing a smoother and more predictable transaction.
- As-is purchase: Cash buyers are usually willing to purchase homes in their current condition, saving you the time and expense of making repairs or upgrades.
- Simplified process: Without the need for loan approvals and extensive negotiations, the process of selling to a cash buyer is often more straightforward, with less paperwork and fewer steps involved.
How to request a cash offer in Atlanta
HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform offers an easier way to secure a cash offer for your home. By answering a few basic questions about your property, you can receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you could close the sale in as few as 10 days, skipping costly repairs, prep work, and endless showings. Plus, you can choose a move-out date that works best for you, up to 30 days from closing.
While cash buyers generally offer less than what you might get on the open market, selling traditionally involves fees that can eat up 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your circumstances, a cash buyer could still save you money and offer the convenience and speed you need.
How much are Atlanta cash home buyers willing to pay?
Cash home buyers in Atlanta typically offer less than what you might get on the open market, trading off a higher price for the speed and convenience they provide. Many investors, particularly house flippers, follow the 70% rule, which means they will pay no more than 70% of the home’s after-repair value minus the costs of necessary repairs.
The competitiveness of Atlanta’s housing market can also influence cash offers. In a hot market, cash buyers might offer prices closer to market value to stay competitive. On the flip side, cash offers tend to be significantly lower than market value in a slower market, reflecting the increased risk and holding costs for investors. Understanding these dynamics can help you set realistic expectations when considering a cash offer.
What’s the process of selling to an Atlanta cash home buyer?
If you’re seeking speed and simplicity, selling your home for cash might be the perfect option. Here’s a breakdown of the typical cash sale process:
Complete the Georgia Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement
When selling your home in Georgia, you are required to disclose certain information to potential buyers using the Georgia Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. This document details the condition of your property, including any known defects, environmental hazards, and previous repairs.
If you’re working with a “We Buy Houses” company in Atlanta, they will likely handle all necessary documents, including this one. However, completing the disclosure statement ahead of time can speed up the paperwork process. These companies conduct their own inspections and purchase homes in any condition, so filing the disclosure is more about fulfilling legal requirements.
The buyer runs a title search on the property
The cash buyer will also verify the property title. This confirms you have legal ownership and checks for any liens or claims that could prevent a smooth sale. Common title issues include boundary disputes, unknown easements, undisclosed heirs, public record errors, and forgery. Resolving these issues ahead of time helps streamline the sale and avoids any unexpected roadblocks.
The seller pays any associated fees
Although a cash sale generally has fewer closing costs than a traditional home sale, there are still some expenses sellers may need to cover. These can include transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, recording costs, and attorney fees.
In Georgia, sellers are typically responsible for paying the state’s real estate transfer tax, although this is negotiable. It’s based on the home’s sale price and levied at a rate of $1 for the first $1,000 (or fractional part of $1,000), and then a rate of 10 cents for each additional $100 (or fractional part of $100). You can use this handy calculator to figure out how much you might owe.
If you’re looking to avoid closing costs altogether, “We Buy Houses” companies will often pay them for you in exchange for an offer that’s below market value.
Deciding to sell to Atlanta cash home buyers
Atlanta’s competitive real estate market presents a good opportunity for homeowners to sell their properties for cash. There are several ways to approach this sale: you can manage the process yourself, find a trusted real estate agent to help you, or use a platform like HomeLight’s Simple Sale. HomeLight focuses on connecting sellers with qualified professionals and resources to make the most of Atlanta’s market for investors. Our goal is to streamline your home sale and ensure a quick and easy experience.
Header Image Source: (sepavone/ Depositphotos)
- "Housing Happenings: How much housing for Atlanta Civic Center site?", Atlanta Civic Circle (May 2024)
- "Population Rebounds for Many Cities in Northeast and Midwest", Census Bureau (May 2024)
- "Study: Boomers Own 36.3% of Georgia Homes Amid Housing Shortage", Metro Atlanta CEO (January 2024)
- "Cash Rules", National Association of REALTORS® (April 2023)
- "Researchers Find Three Companies Own More than 19,000 Rental Houses in Metro Atlanta Researchers Find Three Companies Own More than 19,000 Rental Houses in Metro Atlanta", Georgia State University (February 2024)
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