How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Columbia for a Hassle-Free Home Sale

Inside the Columbia cash home buyers market

Cash home buyers come from all kinds of backgrounds, each with their own reasons for skipping traditional financing. Many are investors, flippers, or individuals looking for a fast and simple purchase. Knowing who typically pays cash for homes can help you attract the right buyers and close your sale more efficiently.

Let’s take a closer look at these cash buyers and what motivates them.

Transplants

Columbia has quickly emerged as one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities, with its population climbing 5% from 2020 to 2024. The city’s affordable cost of living, growing job opportunities, and welcoming neighborhoods attract new residents from across the state and beyond. Expenses here, like housing, food, and transportation, are about 12.6% lower than the national average.

Those moving to the area from higher-priced markets often choose to buy in cash to secure their property quickly. For these buyers, an all-cash transaction offers the benefit of skipping mortgage approval delays, helping them settle faster.

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers make up a large share of today’s cash home-buying market. With decades of built-up equity and savings, many prefer to purchase homes outright rather than take on a mortgage.

According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), about half of older boomers and two out of five younger boomers pay for their homes in full, avoiding traditional financing altogether.

If your Columbia house has features that appeal to the Baby Boomer generation, like a first-floor primary suite, low-maintenance outdoor space, or wide doorways and hallways, highlight them in the listing description to capture the attention of older buyers willing to pay cash.

Property investors

While cash sales are becoming more common for traditional buyers nationwide, homeowners are still more likely to find success selling to property investors. Beyond institutional buyers, other common types of investors include house flippers, buy-and-hold landlords, wholesale operators, and iBuyers.

To attract these investors in Columbia, highlight your home’s potential for rental income or resale value through updated photos and clear property details. Pricing your home competitively and being flexible with closing timelines can also make your listing stand out to serious cash buyers.

Pros of working with a Columbia cash home buyer

Cash offers can be an attractive option for Columbia homeowners seeking an efficient and streamlined sales process. Let’s explore the key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:

How to request a cash offer in Columbia

If you’re looking for an easier way to secure a cash offer for your home, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with the largest network of vetted and pre-approved investors in the U.S.

After answering a few basic questions about your home, you’ll receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 7 days. You can skip the repairs, prep work, and endless showings and choose a move-out date that works for you, up to 30 days from closing.

Cash buyers usually offer less than what you might get on the open market, but selling the traditional way comes with fees and costs that can eat up 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your needs, a cash buyer could still save you money in the long run.

How much are Columbia cash home buyers willing to pay?

Cash investors and home-buying companies often look for deals where they can buy properties for less than what they’re worth on the market. In return, sellers get the benefit of selling their homes quickly and with less hassle. House flippers usually follow the 70% rule, meaning they try not to pay more than 70% of a home’s after-repair value (ARV), including repair and upgrade costs.

During periods with high demand and low inventory (seller’s markets), cash buyers often come closer to a home’s market value. Offers in this scenario range from 80% to 85% of the ARV of the property. Conversely, cash offers will likely be lower than market value in a slower market.

What’s the process of selling to a Columbia cash home buyer?

If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, a cash home sale may be right for you. Here’s a breakdown of how the process generally works:

Complete the South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement

Most states have mandated disclosure laws and require you to fill out a form detailing any material defects in the home. In South Carolina, sellers are required to inform buyers of any defects before accepting an offer by completing the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement.

If you’re working with a South Carolina “We Buy Houses” company, they will likely prepare all of the necessary documents for you, including this one. However, you can speed up the process by filling it out ahead of time. These companies conduct their own inspections and purchase homes in any condition, so filing the disclosure statement is more of a legal obligation from their perspective.

Let the buyer run a title search on the property

The cash buyer will also verify the property’s title. This ensures you have legal ownership and checks for any liens or claims that could prevent a smooth sale. Some of the most common reasons for title issues include boundary disputes, unknown easements, undisclosed heirs, public record errors, and forgery. Resolving these early helps avoid delays at closing and ensures a faster, hassle-free transaction.

Pay any associated fees

While cash sales typically involve fewer fees compared to traditional sales, you may still incur some closing costs, like transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees. South Carolina sellers typically pay the transfer tax at a rate of $1.85 per $100 to $500 of the property’s purchase price.

If you’re looking to avoid these expenses altogether, “We Buy Houses” companies often pay closing costs for you in exchange for an offer that’s below market value.

Deciding to sell to Columbia cash home buyers

Homeowners have a good chance of selling for cash, as South Carolina remains a popular state to invest in real estate. Whether you decide to compare buyers yourself, enlist the help of a real estate agent, or request an offer from Simple Sale, HomeLight can connect you with top professionals and valuable resources.

We’re here to help you streamline your selling experience, leveraging Columbia’s investor-rich market to find a fast and efficient solution for your home sale needs.

Editor’s note: This blog post is for educational purposes only, not legal or tax advice. HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to your own advisor.

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