How to Sell My House Fast in Ohio: Cash Offer Options

Cash house buyers in Ohio

Ohio house-buying companies, also known as We Buy Houses companies, typically buy houses in need of repairs. Most of these companies will conduct a walkthrough within 48-72 hours, pay cash, and strive to close the sale in around seven to 10 days.

Here are examples of some of the top house-buying companies in Ohio.

*Service plans can change. Check the company’s website for current fees and costs.

Pros and cons of selling your Ohio house for cash

The experience of selling a house for cash in Ohio can vary from company to company. However, most owners encounter these benefits and drawbacks when selling their home to companies for cash.

Option #2: Work with a top Ohio agent to sell your home fast

Working with a top agent in Ohio can be a good option for sellers who would like to sell faster than average but who have some time to devote to a traditional sale vs. an instant cash offer. Top agents who know the local area can add value in the following ways:

• Offer expertise in pricing so your home sells fast
• Prioritize repairs and upgrades that increase home value
• Provide staging tips to make your home appeal to more buyers
• Apply various marketing techniques to bring in a larger pool of buyers
• Use local expertise for skillful negotiation

HomeLight data shows that top Ohio agents sell homes faster than most agents, and the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. Working with a top agent can lead to a speedy sale for top dollar to help you move past a divorce, sell a loved one’s estate, or get out of debt.

How fast homes are homes selling in Ohio?

Local market conditions often determine how quickly or slowly your house sells in Ohio. Statewide, the median days on market (DOM) — the time from listing to a signed contract — typically spans about 30 days, depending on the home’s location, condition, and list price. Ohio sellers should also take into account the additional 43 days a mortgage-backed buyer typically needs to close on a purchase loan.

In many parts of Ohio, sellers have the upper hand as inventory continues to remain low. Nikki Fanizzi, a top Ohio-based real estate agent with 21 years of experience, provides insights on the turnover of properties in the state.

“Currently in Ohio, it’s a good time to be a seller. We have very low inventory and when a house hits the market, if it’s priced appropriately and marketed well, it sells quickly, often with multiple offers,” says Fanizzi.

Despite elevated interest rates, the rental prices in Ohio are extremely high, making mortgage payments a more affordable alternative. “I have clients paying $1,600 and $1,700 a month in rent when they could certainly get into a mortgage in Northeast Ohio for less than that,” Fanizzi adds.

Unlike some parts of the country, competition among buyers in Ohio has also resulted in buyers making concessions for sellers, such as shouldering closing costs, waiving inspections, or letting the seller stay in the home after closing without additional fees. Fanizzi says there are also buyers willing to pay higher prices for turnkey properties, which are houses that require little or no renovation.

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

Sources: Ohio REALTORS, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), Norada, Redfin

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

How to find a top Ohio real estate agent

Finding a great real estate agent in Ohio can play a vital role in a fast and smooth home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is here to assist. By analyzing over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews, we can connect you with top-performing agents in your Ohio city who are well-versed in the state’s shifting market dynamics. Whether you’re buying or selling, HomeLight can help guide you to the best real estate professional for your specific needs.

9 strategies to sell a house fast in Ohio

Top-performing Ohio agents have an arsenal of successful strategies that attract buyers and make homes sell faster.

“Despite new strategies, it still boils down to the basics – right pricing, good advertising, and attractive offers,” says Fanizzi.

1. Set your price competitively

An experienced top agent will perform a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set the best price to sell a house fast in your Ohio market.

“In terms of pricing strategy, it’s advisable to list on the higher end of the market range,” says Fanizzi. “We’re in a market where if we have a desirable property, we can push the price a little bit and usually get it.”

If you’re curious about your home’s current value, try HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. While it shouldn’t dictate your final pricing strategy, an online home value estimate can give you a ballpark price range. You can get a preliminary estimate in less than two minutes.

2. Consider a pre-listing inspection

Home inspections can often hold up a sale. With a pre-listing inspection, you’ll know repair issues in advance and let the buyer know about issues before they make an offer, which saves time. However, spending the extra time and coin on a pre-listing inspection doesn’t make sense in every market.

In Ohio’s current market, Fanizzi says buyers are often waiving their right to an inspection, so a pre-listing inspection often isn’t necessary for sellers, and there could be a downside.

“Any issues found during a pre-listing inspection, even if corrected, must be disclosed,” explains Fanizzi, adding that inspection regulations vary across the state and are mandatory for things like wells and septic systems. In some parts of the state, a point-of-sale inspection is required. In that case, a pre-listing inspection might be beneficial to sellers who can correct any issues that might surface later in the process.

3. Showcase your outdoor area

Ohio home shoppers love usable outdoor space. Extending your living space outdoors can be extremely appealing to buyers. Consider how you might transform your outdoor area into an attractive oasis. This might include adding a full furniture set, smoker, and television to watch the Cleveland Browns play on a Sunday night.

“Freshening up the outdoor landscaping is crucial,” says Fanizzi. “We have to sell them on the outside before we get them inside. The exterior has to be tidy, with fresh flowers in season, grass cut, mulch or stone laid out, and any outdoor paint issues touched up.”

4. Use the best technology to market your home

Using technology to market a home during the selling process has several benefits. It allows for greater reach and exposure, enabling the property to be viewed by potential buyers worldwide, not just those in the immediate vicinity. Technologies such as virtual reality or 3D tours can provide a realistic, interactive viewing experience, eliminating the need for physical visits and thereby saving time for both buyers and sellers.

Beyond the MLS, technology platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn can help a listing gain maximum visibility. However, Fanizzi emphasizes that high-quality photography is the top marketing priority.

“The first thing that gets buyers in the front door are the photos online,” says Fanizzi. “That’s why professional photos are so important.”

5. Paint, pressure wash, and plant

Presentation plays a significant role in selling a house quickly, and activities like painting, pressure washing, and planting can greatly enhance a property’s curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint can transform a house, making it look newer and well-maintained, which appeals to potential buyers. Pressure washing helps to clean the exteriors, sidewalks, and driveways, removing grime and making the property appear cared for, while adding plants and landscaping can create an inviting, homely atmosphere that might sway buyers in their decision-making process.

Another advantage of investing in things like fresh paint, cleaning, landscaping, and improvements like new flooring is that it helps market the home by showing off its shiny features through professional photography.

6. Advertise your neighborhood’s walkability

Walkability is important for many Ohio buyers. This makes it critical for sellers to highlight parks, coffee shops, and local restaurants in the neighborhood.

Advertising a home’s neighborhood walkability is vital in the marketing process as it offers potential buyers insight into the convenience and lifestyle the location offers. Promoting walkability can attract individuals seeking active, sustainable lifestyles, highlighting proximity to shops, parks, schools, and other amenities. This feature adds significant value to the property, potentially increasing its marketability and eventual sales price.

7. Promote additional space for lodging, an office, or an ADU

If your property has an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU), such as a mother-in-law cottage, emphasize this in your listing. If you are selling a home with large square footage or a home office, leverage these to showcase flexibility and value. These features meet various needs such as potential rental income, home office space for remote work, or extra room for family members. By emphasizing these aspects, sellers can appeal to a wider range of potential buyers and potentially increase the home’s market value.

8. Focus on the right repairs

While Ohio’s market already favors sellers, if you want to get top dollar for your property, don’t put it on the market in fixer-upper condition. Buyers don’t want to be bothered with having to make essential repairs and improvements — they want a home that’s livable from day one. Offering a turnkey property in Ohio is particularly advantageous in the current market, as buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes that require no immediate renovations or updates, providing sellers with an opportunity to achieve higher selling prices.

9. Take advantage of Ohio’s market timing

Given the current Ohio housing market conditions, it is critically important for sellers to seize this unique opportunity. Buyers’ willingness to pay more for turnkey properties and make concessions, coupled with their receptiveness to professional advertising, allows sellers to command higher prices. Therefore, sellers should ensure their homes are presented in the best light, with updates where necessary and professionally taken photographs, to take full advantage of the current market dynamics.

“It’s a wonderful time to be a seller in Ohio,” says Fanizzi.  “Although it’s more difficult to be a buyer due to lack of inventory, sellers can max out at top dollar, especially with second homes or investment properties.”

Ready to sell your Ohio home?

As you can see, a top real estate agent in Ohio can help you navigate the many nuances that you might not otherwise discover until you’re swamped in the process. Their organizational efficiencies and marketing expertise can help you sell your Ohio house fast.

If you need an even faster sale, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Ohio. If you don’t have the time or the means to prepare your home or move through the traditional listing process, you can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as 10 days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours.

Writer Stacy Sare Cohen contributed to this story.

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