How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Stockton for a Hassle-Free Home Sale
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- 9 min read
- Joseph Gordon EditorCloseJoseph Gordon Editor
Joseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
If you’re a homeowner in Stockton looking to sell your property quickly and without the challenges of traditional listings, working with cash home buyers is a good alternative to the traditional market.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to find cash home buyers in Stockton, explore who’s driving the local cash buyer market, and help you determine if selling your home for cash aligns with your needs.
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 Stockton
Looking to sell your home fast and easily? Cash buyers can be a great option. Here are a few ways to seek out trusted cash home buyers in Stockton who may be willing to make a fair offer on your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
One of the biggest benefits of a cash offer is that you can often avoid real estate commissions. But an agent can still be a strong asset. Experienced Stockton agents often have connections to cash buyers who might be interested in buying your home.
Instead of researching and contacting cash home buyers yourself, you can ask a real estate agent to put you in touch with tried-and-tested investors in their network. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area if you don’t already have one in your contacts. I
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
Calling the 1-800 number for a multinational investment firm probably won’t get you very far, but there are other ways to grab the attention of cash buyers. You can post about your property on investment websites or Facebook groups, attend real estate investing events, or speak to local real estate agents and property managers.
Of course, you can always search online for “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies in Stockton, but note that house flippers tend to pay around 70% of a home’s market value to turn a profit (more on that later).
Do your due diligence
If you’ve found a cash buyer you’re considering selling your house to, it’s important to thoroughly vet that company or individual to make sure they’re legitimate. You can verify the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), assuming they have a profile or are accredited. You can also reach out to your local office like BBB of Northeast California.
You should also read online reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, and Facebook. Research the company or individual’s investment record, check their registered with the state, and ask for referrals from recent sellers.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
It’s essential to choose a reputable cash buyer with readily available funds. Ask the cash buyer for proof of funds—this could be a bank statement or an official letter from the financial institution showing the account balance. If the investor is unwilling to provide a proof of funds letter, consider it a red flag and move on.
Inside the Stockton cash home buyers market
Stockton’s cash home-buying market is largely driven by real estate investors, but other groups may be willing to buy your bungalow mortgage-free. Let’s take a closer look at these cash buyers and what motivates them.
New residents
Stockton’s affordability compared to nearby Bay Area cities continues to draw new residents eager to purchase homes without a mortgage. These buyers, often relocating professionals or families, are willing to pay cash for properties to bypass the competitive financing market and secure their new homes quickly.
Baby Boomers
In February 2024, 33% of U.S. homebuyers had all-cash sales, the highest share in nearly a decade, according to the Realtors® Confidence Index Survey. Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964) accounted for the largest share of home sellers in the past year at 26%.
Flush with cash, mature buyers are increasingly paying for their homes without mortgages. More than half of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) paid all cash for home purchases they made in 2023, as did 53% of homebuyers from the Silent Generation (born 1925–1945), and 32% of Younger Boomers.
If your Stockton 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 investors, wholesale investors, and iBuyers.
Pros of working with a Stockton cash home buyer
Cash offers can be an attractive option for Stockton homeowners seeking an efficient and streamlined sales process. Let’s explore the key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:
- Quick closings: Selling to a cash buyer often means you can close the deal much faster than through traditional financing, often within days or weeks. This is because there’s no waiting for the buyer to secure a mortgage, which can significantly speed up the timeline.
- No contingencies: Cash sales typically come with fewer contingencies, if any. This means the sale is less likely to fall through due to financing issues or other common contingencies like home inspections.
- As-is purchase: Cash buyers often purchase homes as-is, meaning you won’t need to spend money or time on repairs or upgrades before the sale. This can be particularly advantageous if your home needs significant work.
- Simplified process: The process of selling to a cash buyer is generally more straightforward and involves less paperwork than selling through traditional means.
How to request a cash offer in Stockton
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 10 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 that can eat up 9% to 10% of your sale price. So, depending on your needs, a cash buyer could still save you money in the long run.
How much are Stockton 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.
The Stockton housing market is fluctuating right now; home sales are down year-over-year, and prices remain elevated, but there’s potential to bounce back. Given the current conditions, offers from house-buying companies might be lower than what you could get on the open market.
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 can sometimes range from 80% to 85% of the ARV of the property.
What’s the process of selling to a Stockton 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 California Transfer Disclosure Statement
Most states have mandated disclosure laws and require you to fill out a form detailing any material defects in the home. In California, sellers are required to disclose any defects before accepting an offer by completing the Transfer Disclosure Statement.
If you’re working with a Stockton “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.
The buyer runs 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.
The seller pays 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. For example, California sellers typically pay the Documentary Stamp Tax (aka transfer tax) at a rate of $0.55 per every $500 on the purchase price of the property.
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 Stockton cash home buyers
Homeowners have a good chance of selling for cash, as Stockton 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 Stockton’s investor-rich market to find a fast and efficient solution for your home sale needs.
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