I Need to Sell My House Fast in Columbus: What Are My Options?

Pros and cons of selling to a Columbus house-buying company

Still not sure if selling to a Columbus house-buying company is the right choice for you? Here’s a quick comparison of some of the key benefits and drawbacks of this option.

Pros

• Quick offer: Receive a cash offer in a matter of days, speeding up the selling process significantly.
• Sell as-is: You can sell your home in as-is condition without the need for costly repairs or updates.
• No staging or showings: Skip the time-consuming and sometimes expensive process of staging and showing your home to potential buyers.
• Flexible move-out dates: Often, these companies allow you to choose your move-out date, offering more flexibility around your schedule.
• Cover closing costs: Some house-buying companies may cover closing costs, avoiding agent fees and reducing your overall expenses.
• Guaranteed sale: The sale is typically guaranteed, eliminating the uncertainty of a traditional listing or contingent offer.
• Can avoid foreclosure: Selling to a cash buyer can help you avoid foreclosure and protect your credit.

Cons

• Below market value: Cash offers typically come in below market value, which is not ideal if you’re hoping to maximize your sale price.
• No negotiations: Cash offers are typically “take it or leave it,” so you don’t have room to negotiate the sale price.
• Less competition: Without the competition of the open market, you might miss out on offers from multiple buyers, potentially sparking a bidding war.
• You give up control: Selling to a house-buying company means you have less control over the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Potential for scams: Be cautious of scams; not all cash-buying companies are reputable, even if they appear to be online.

According to Hursh, while selling to a cash buyer may be a good option in terms of speed, you run the risk of netting significantly fewer proceeds.

“You’re probably going to get less than you would if you go to market. So, there is a downside to it, but obviously, some people need those options,” he says.

Option 2: Hire a top Columbus real estate agent

Even when time is of the essence, hiring a top real estate agent in Columbus might be the smartest strategy. A skilled agent knows the ins and outs of the Columbus housing market and can help you secure a quick and profitable sale. They’ll manage everything from staging to negotiations, maximizing your potential earnings even on a tight timeline.

“You’re getting somebody in the area that understands the market,” Hursh says. “You’re hiring a local market expert who knows what the trends are, what is happening, and where you need to position your house, as well as what you need to do to get your home ready.”

Let’s take a closer look at how fast homes are currently selling in Columbus, the main advantages of working with a real estate agent, and how to find the best professional for your needs.

How fast are homes selling in Columbus?

In Columbus, homes are selling relatively quickly, with a median of about 38 days on the market. This means that once you list your home, it would take just over a month on average to receive an offer. However, you should also factor in an additional 43 days for the closing process, which brings the total selling process to around 81 days.

However, Columbus’s available inventory remains relatively low at just 1.8 months, which is a good sign for sellers. This means there’s a lot of competition among buyers to find homes, which could result in more (and higher) offers on your house. For comparison, a balanced market typically features four to six months of available inventory.

Hursh emphasizes how strong the current Columbus market is looking for sellers.

“If your home is in a really good price point and it shows well, you’re probably going to sell within the first two to four or five days,” says Hursh.

Here is a snapshot of current real estate conditions in Columbus:

*Does not include the typical 43 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

Data source(s): Multiple public transaction sites

Benefits of selling with a top Columbus agent

Partnering with a top Columbus real estate agent can offer significant advantages that translate into a faster home sale, from setting an accurate list price and arranging showings to negotiating the best deal. Here’s how working with an experienced agent can help you streamline the process and get your house sold quickly.

• Accurate, effective pricing: A skilled agent knows the local market and can price your home competitively, attracting more buyers faster.
• Can generate a speedy sale: With a network of potential buyers in their back pocket, agents can often generate interest and offers more quickly than selling on your own.
• Professional negotiation skills: Top agents are experts in negotiation, ensuring you get the best possible deal in the shortest amount of time.
• Elevated marketing: Through advanced marketing strategies, agents can showcase your home in its best light to a broad audience, increasing the chances of a quick sale.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced agent will hold your hand through the selling process, reducing stress and helping you make informed decisions.
• Will know what to fix and not fix: Agents can advise you on which repairs yield the highest return, helping you focus only on improvements that will speed up the sale.
• Contract savviness: Agents have in-depth knowledge of real estate contracts, ensuring that all paperwork is handled correctly and efficiently.
• Can manage documents and disclosures: Agents stay on top of legal requirements, so you don’t have to worry about navigating disclosures yourself.
• Network of skilled professionals: From photographers to inspectors, agents have a network of professionals who can expedite the preparation of your home.

“When you’re working with a real estate agent like myself, you’re getting somebody that has connections in the area who people can reach out to when they have homebuyers looking for specific things, but also somebody that’s going to help market your property to get the highest dollar amount, which at the end of the day nets you the most for the sale of your home,” Hursh says.

How to find a top Columbus real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent in Columbus is key to a successful and fast home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can simplify this process for you. By analyzing millions of transactions and reviews, we connect you with multiple top-rated agents in the Columbus market. Whether selling or buying, HomeLight can help match you with the best agent for your individual needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Columbus house fast

In addition to the benefits a real estate agent can provide, there are also several low-effort, budget-friendly steps you can take to set your home sale up for success. Here are some expert tips from top agents to help you secure a fast sale while maximizing your home’s appeal:

• Price it right from the start: Avoid overpricing to prevent your home from lingering on the market. A well-priced home attracts better offers more quickly.
• Highlight outdoor spaces: Columbus buyers appreciate outdoor spaces, so showcase any patios, gardens, or balconies to add value to your listing.
• Refresh your interior: Be sure to deep clean, declutter, and even repaint interior walls to freshen up the space. Lorraine Lynn, a top-selling Columbus agent, comments, “The people moving to Columbus are often moving from an apartment. With an apartment, everything is nice, clean, and ready to go. So that’s what they expect of a house.” According to Lynn, walls, floors, and maintenance are the three most important aspects of a home’s condition.
• Stage for remote workers: With many homeowners in Columbus working remotely, staging a home office can appeal to this growing market segment.
• Focus on first impressions: Boost curb appeal with fresh landscaping and a clean exterior to draw buyers in from the moment they arrive.
• Get a pre-sale inspection: A pre-listing inspection can uncover any potential issues, allowing you to address them in advance and give buyers peace of mind.
• Offer a home warranty: Providing a home warranty can help you stand out in a competitive market and reassure buyers, especially those on a tight budget.
• Use high-quality photos: In Columbus’s market, taking high-quality photos can make your listing shine and attract more interest. Hursh even suggests repainting walls to make the interior look more appealing.
• Consider timing: The Columbus housing market can be seasonal. Use HomeLight’s Time to Sell Calculator and consult with your agent to list at the optimal time.

“The biggest thing right now in central Ohio is that buyers are looking for more flex space options. A lot more people are working from home, so they need more dedicated working space,” Hursh comments. “Something else that they’re looking forward to is walkability in their suburbs. Less people are looking to downtown Columbus to go out to dinner, dine, and shop.”

Another helpful suggestion from Hursh is to make sure your home is bright, airy, and filled with natural light.

“Make sure you have ample lighting, make sure all your lights are the same color, and make sure it brightens the area. You want people to be able to come into your home and it be very bright — you don’t want them to come to your home and it be very dark and not appealing.”

Ready to sell your Columbus house fast?

Whether you decide to request a cash offer or hire a top Columbus real estate agent, the key is to choose the option that best fits your home-selling needs.

• If time is of the essence, getting a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be a fast and hassle-free solution for you.
• Alternatively, working with an experienced agent ensures your home is marketed and effectively priced to sell fast. HomeLight can connect you with a top-rated agent in Columbus.

If you’re unsure, consider giving both options a try. It doesn’t hurt to compare a cash offer with an agent’s advice to get the most comprehensive overview of your home’s worth.

While having to sell your Columbus home quickly can be intimidating, the process doesn’t have to be hard — HomeLight is here to help and provide peace of mind as you go. Armed with the tools, tips, and resources in this article, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate a fast and successful sale for your Columbus home.

Header Image Source: (Jason Mowry / Unsplash)