How to Sell My House for Cash in Houston
- Published on
- 8 min read
-
Alexandra Lee Associate EditorClose
Alexandra Lee Associate EditorAlexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.
If you’re thinking about selling your Houston house for cash, it’s likely you’re seeking a quick, uncomplicated sale. In an all-cash transaction, you can bypass home preparations, skip repairs and showings, and close on your own timeline.
The three big questions on your mind might be:
- How do I sell a house for cash in Houston?
- What does this convenience cost?
- How much more can I get for my Houston house if I make repairs?
In this post, we’ll break down the two most common ways to get a cash offer for your Houston home and how the offer amount can vary depending on who you sell to and whether you make repairs or sell the property as-is.
Compare Options: Investor Cash Offer vs. Top Houston Agent
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer on your Houston home through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Close in as few as 10 days with no repairs or showings. You can also see an estimate of what your home might sell for using a top Houston agent.
Options to sell my house for cash in Houston
There are two main ways homeowners typically sell for cash: working directly with a house-buying company or investor, or hiring a real estate agent to help attract a cash offer from a traditional buyer. Each of these options can yield different levels of proceeds.
Before we dive into the details, use the calculator below to get a quick estimate of how a cash offer in Houston might stack up depending on your selling method.
As you can see, your cash offer will be significantly higher if your Houston home is in good condition, but not everyone has the time, money, or interest to take on major repairs before moving. For many homeowners facing an imminent life or job change, financial strain, or the need to sell an inherited property from out of state, the convenience of an all-cash offer can’t be beat.
Let’s look at what you can expect from each option to sell a house for cash in Houston.
Option 1: Sell to a cash buyer company in Houston
House-buying companies and investor groups specialize in purchasing homes for cash. Many of them buy properties “as-is,” meaning you don’t need to clean, make repairs, or stage your Houston home before selling. These are commonly known as “We Buy Houses” companies.
Other house-buying companies that serve Houston, known as iBuyers, only purchase homes in good condition or move-in-ready “turnkey properties.” The most well-known iBuyers are Opendoor and Offerpad, which pay higher cash offers but charge a fee of around 5% of the home’s price.
We Buy Houses companies in Houston typically follow a similar streamlined process:
- You submit information about your Houston property online or over the phone.
- They assess the home’s value using local market data and an on-site visit.
- You receive a no-obligation cash offer, often within 24 to 48 hours.
- If you accept, they can close in as little as 7 to 14 days.
Some Houston cash buyers fix and flip homes, while others rent them out or hold them as investments. Their goal is usually to purchase below market value to allow room for profit.
Most We Buy Houses investors in Houston follow the 70% rule of house flipping, which suggests that the purchase price should not exceed 70% of a home’s after-repair value (ARV) minus the estimated cost of repairs. Our calculator above applies a formula to show a range of the 70% rule and an 80% guideline used by many rental property investors.
However, keep in mind that these are general rules, and some Houston cash-for-homes companies may offer more or less depending on the property’s location and condition.
»Learn more: 7 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Houston
Pros and cons of selling to a Houston cash buyer company
| Pros | Cons |
| Speed: You can close and get paid in a matter of days, not months | Lower sale price: Cash offers are typically less than market value |
| No repairs required: Sell your HTX home in its current condition, with or without repairs | No negotiation: Most companies will present a firm offer, with little room for negotiation |
| Convenience: Skip the showings, open houses, and drawn-out negotiations | Less competition: By selling off-market, you won’t expose the home to multiple buyers |
| No fees or commissions: Most house-buying companies cover your closing costs | Not suitable for all situations: An agent-assisted sale has advantages in certain circumstances |
| Certainty: Without a lender involved, there’s less risk of a deal falling through | Unscrupulous buyers and scams: Some scam companies seek to take advantage of vulnerable sellers |
Although Houston has its share of reputable investors, it’s important to watch for warning signs of a bad actor. Be cautious of companies that use high-pressure tactics or lack a proven track record and online presence. Instead, seek out buyers with verified reviews, strong knowledge of the Houston market, and clear, open communication.
»Learn more: We Buy Houses Pros and Cons: Make an Informed Decision
A better way to find trusted cash buyers in Houston
HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with the largest network of pre-vetted cash buyers in Houston and throughout the country, helping you review offers without having to navigate the investor world on your own.
Here is the 4-step Simple Sale process:
To start, you’ll enter a few details about your Houston home and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. If you decide to move forward, you can close in as little as 7 days or select your ideal closing date. In addition, you’ll also receive an expert estimate of what your home could sell for using a top Houston real estate agent, so you can easily compare your options.
Option 2: Attract a cash buyer with a top Houston agent
Not all cash offers come from investors or companies. In Houston’s competitive housing market, many individual buyers come prepared with cash, whether they’re downsizing, relocating after selling a home in Florida, or looking for a second home to escape cold winters in another state. A top Houston real estate agent can help position your home to attract these buyers.
»Learn more: Why Hire a Real Estate Agent When You’re Selling or Buying
Pros and cons of selling with a top Houston agent
| Pros | Cons |
| A higher sale price: Agents can boost your listing’s exposure to spark competing offers | Longer timeline: A traditional listing in Houston can take weeks or even months to close |
| Professional guidance: Pricing, marketing, and negotiations are handled for you | Prep work required: You will likely need to clean, stage, or make repairs before listing |
| Broad market access: Reach more qualified cash buyers through the MLS and Houston agent networks | Showings and disruptions: Selling with an agent typically involves multiple showings or walkthroughs |
| Reduced stress: Agents handle complex tasks, saving you time and reducing uncertainty | Commission fees: You’ll need to pay a percentage of the sale price in agent commissions |
| Legal protection: Agents provide guidance on Texas disclosures and federal fair housing laws | Uncertainty of sale: There is no guarantee of a fast sale, and offers have a risk of falling through |
»Learn more: Should I Sell to a Home Investor or List With an Agent?
The easy way to find top-rated Houston agents
If you’re leaning toward listing with an agent, HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with Houston’s top-performing agents based on actual sales data. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Whether you’re aiming to attract a cash offer or explore all your options, the right Houston agent can help you optimize your sale. For a no-obligation consultation with a trusted agent, tell us a little about your selling goals and timeline.
Which cash sale option is right for you?
If a quick, simple, and hassle-free experience is your priority, selling to a vetted Houston cash buyer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform could be the right fit.
If you’re willing to take more time to secure a higher price — and don’t mind preparing your home for the market — partnering with a top Houston agent may be your best approach.
When you request a Simple Sale offer, you’ll also get an expert estimate of what your HTX home could sell for with a top agent, so you can confidently compare both options.
Still undecided about selling a house for cash in Houston? Use our Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator above to get a sense of what your home might sell for, depending on which method you choose. Then, request a no-obligation offer or consult with a trusted Houston expert.
While there’s no universal solution, the right resources and expert guidance can help you make a well-informed decision.
Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr / Unsplash)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
